JOURNAL | Counting the Days: A Reflection on Life, Purpose, and the Unexpected

It’s funny how life throws us curveballs when we least expect them. We go through our routines—waking up, going to work, complaining about the mundane—and then, out of nowhere, something happens that shakes our sense of normalcy to its core. 

The other day, I got news that left me speechless. A friend of mine, not someone I’m particularly close to, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He’s in his late twenties, young and full of potential, and yet here he is, facing a challenge that no one should have to confront at that age. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. How is it that I spend so much of my energy sulking over trivial matters when people like him are grappling with life-threatening illnesses? 

HEALTH | Understanding Uric Acid: Causes, Complications, and Treatment Options

Uric acid is a natural waste product that forms when the body breaks down purines, substances found in some foods and drinks. Under normal conditions, the kidneys filter uric acid from the blood, and it is expelled through urine. However, when the body produces too much uric acid or fails to eliminate it efficiently, uric acid levels rise in the blood, leading to potential health complications such as gout, kidney stones, and in severe cases, kidney failure. This article explores what uric acid is, the potential complications caused by elevated uric acid levels, and treatment options to manage these conditions effectively.

PINK NOTES | That Thing About Group Fun

In Metro Manila and other urban areas, it's common for discreet men to seek physical gratification through various activities. While satisfaction varies from person to person, group encounters have become a popular choice for many. However, these activities don’t just come with personal or emotional considerations—they also carry significant legal implications. From privacy issues to potential legal risks associated with public indecency or solicitation, participants must be aware of the laws that govern these encounters. This article will explore the legal landscape surrounding group activities, shedding light on potential legal consequences, privacy concerns, and the protections available to individuals involved.

Related article - How to Organize Group Fun

Illegal ba ang Group Fun sa Pinas?

To answer the burning question: Illegal ba ang consensual na group fun sa Pilipinas? Ang simple answer: hindi, basta may tamang kondisyon. Sa ngayon, walang specific na batas sa Pilipinas na nagbabawal sa consensual activities sa pagitan ng mga adults, kabilang na ang group fun, hangga’t ginagawa ito sa pribadong lugar at hindi lumalabag sa ibang batas.

Dahil walang direktang probisyon sa Revised Penal Code o iba pang batas na nagsasabing bawal ito, legal ang consensual seggs sa pagitan ng mga adults (whether straight o gay) basta’t hindi ito nagiging sanhi ng public disturbance, prostitution, exploitation, o anumang ilegal na gawain. Ika nga, "What happens in private, stays in private!"

PINK NOTES | Dibah?! Hindi Lahat Ng Bekis Pare-Pareho: A Deep Dive (Or Shallow Dip) Into the Spectrum of Being Gay in 2024

Henlo, ghorl, beshies! Gather around, because today we are spilling some piping hot tea hotter than that last BGC drunk-driving fiasco or the latest Congress drama. Have you ever noticed na parang sa gay world, para kang nasa isang never-ending fashion show? Werk! Serve! Sashay! Pero, hindi lahat ay pasok sa isang standard of beauty. Akala mo ba, lahat tayo ay kailangan maging parang Calvin Klein model? Sis, hindi ganon!

Let's start with the obvious: hindi lahat ng bekis ay macho at mukhang pornstar.Yet, we live in a world where media (old and new) pushes the idea that gays should either look like a buffed Adonis. Kaloka! Traditional media, even social media, ang peg, promotes this idea that "hyper-masculine" gays get all the attention, the drinks, and... well, everything, from the club to the bathhouse to even Grindr’s thirsty DMs. Naka-influence talaga ang mga corporations na ‘yan—trying to make sure we buy their overpriced skincare, fashion, and gym memberships. They be like, “Gurl, don’t even think of showing up without looking like Piolo Pascual in a swimsuit ad.”

Read up on a related article:
The Problem with Pogi ( 29 June 2020 )

But is it really all that? Kailangan ba talaga na magka-abs at muscles galore para sumaya bilang bakla? Charot! Honestly, what we’re served on social media is a fantasy sold to us—sugar-coated in six-pack abs and Calvin Klein underwear. It’s like buying into a K-drama fantasy thinking you’re gonna end up with someone as gwapo as Park Seo Joon when, in reality, si kuya fishball vendor lang ang kakuwentuhan mo sa tapat ng tricycle terminal. 

So paano na yung mga beshies na hindi nagge-gym araw-araw? I mean, kahit si Ate Vice, pumiyok na: “Iba-iba tayo ng trip at beauty!” Kaya relax ka lang dyan sa tabi, let’s talk about how you can be the best version of yourself—kahit na walang six-pack abs, walang gym selfies, at kahit simpleng kumusta ka? lang sa Tinder.