You're a quarter-of-a-century years old!: The not so birthday message

Lock ins and quarantines (less the flings)

Who would imagined that this year will be staying more (longer than anyone expected) in the comfort of our home? In March of this year, we were advised to stay at home to (somehow) reduce the number of affected persons (cases) of the spreading virus COVID19. For almost nine months now, we have been working and studying (less the flirting) at home. It is all new to us, this so called new normal.

Staying at home gave us more time to spend with our family. Celebrating everything at home, connecting and reconnecting. Zoom calls and video calls became are normal routine in a day, lambasting internet providers when the connection is slow wherein fuming netizens uses social media to rant (thanks to mobile data). The quarantine made sensational stars from different social media platforms, made us dance, sing, act and even do tutorials, like yesterday were just making dalgona coffee and now viola Jose Mari Chan is giving us the vibe of Christmas. 

During the lock ins, we lost and gained some, like the small and big wins we had, from dadbod to beach bod or even the other way around, hard-earned online certifications and diplomas that took long  tiring hours, losing jobs and finding new ones (asking the reason why are you still here working your ass off), compassion and passion fatigue, to zoom/google meet (video conferencing) and module overdose (congrats to the new teachers at home surviving and thriving), to some who have discovered their hidden talents that aside from binge-watching 24 episode series (not to mention what season it is) we can be the multilingual (thanks to the different series) plantitos and plantitas (but the real plantito/a are not in social media they're are working hard from dawn to dusk in the countryside for their family and for the nation yet these privilege politicians are mocking them, turning their lands— their source of life — into subdivisions and commercial areas) of the future (it is not enough to be the voice we also must amplify the voice of everyone and make the unheard be heard for the betterment of our future), reading the last book in your bookshelf (your books and bookmarks might be clapping and cheering now), and gender reveals (I stan Miss Habijan and to quote her "I hope Millennial and Gen Z parents  would start using the term Sex Reveal, instead of Gender Reveal. As Sex is dependent on our genitals, while Gender is our personal discovery of our Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression." #SOGIEEqualityNow (progress it was approved by the senate panel) or even losing one of your cherished love ones (which is the saddest the part, losing someone in this trying time is really hard, I miss Bapang Jing's rants and antics not to mention his comic what's the ulam?, may you rest in peace Bap).

Social media became are online diary wherein we post significant milestones in our life. It has also became our platform in spreading awareness and educating others regarding our (and others) advocacies. Celebrating and educating, using (with some who are just paroting) ally speeches that touches many. But being an ally is more than just words, being an ally is less of a noun and more of a verb. We have stan and flex or even cancelled someone, something or some place ... this generation has really evolved and created there own space.

No one is demanding us to figure out our self in an instant. Do not rush.

But some are still figuring out themselves. Some tend to be lost, confused and puzzled. When I was younger I am at the same route (but somehow, somewhere up until now),  I am puzzled and lost, and at the same time afraid. I am one of those hiding in a shell, in his own comfort zone, afraid that people will see my weaknesses and use it against me. But I have learned that there are stories should never be told, weaknesses that can turn to strengths and to accept. Acceptance is one of the key factor to be contented and happy. 

I had to transfer from one job to another, reason? "I am not happy." it is called hanap buhay (job) lamenting the fact that your hard-earned money is use to sustain the life of your family, yet, I choose to leave a high paying job and transfer to the government "because I am not happy", but what is life without happiness? isn't happiness part of life, let's make hanap buhay happy in such a way we give happiness not just in our life but with others too. Maghanap buhay tayo para maging masaya, magdala nang saya at magbigay nang saya sa iba.

But you can't figure out yourself in an instant, it's not like a snap of  fingers. It takes time, do not rush  and remember this ending quote from my favorite Pinoy BL series Gaya sa Pelikula "Sasalubungin ka namin 'pag handa ka na." We are here for you, to unravel and rejoice your own truth.

Becoming who I am today has taken tremendous growth through good and tough times. Happy birthday.

I have always quote this from Dr. Robert Schuller "Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do", this roller-coaster of  a year made us tough. This year made me realize to value these three things more: connection, communication and time. That "kamusta?" reciprocated by "kamusta ka rin?" shows so much care - communication. How to make your genuine affections and feelings be felt thru the screens - connection, and how important time is, as we don't know what will happen in the future.

With so much in my mind (that I know will bombard not just you but me), I nearly forgot that it is my birthday and this is supposed to be a birthday message (me LOLing), you're a quarter-of-a-century years old, Jeys! Happy birthday!

PS. The flirting part will be uploaded soon lol