This film is one of the most powerful film I have watched. I was never one to look at the technical aspects anyway because I'm more curious of the story, the characters, and the implication of the film in real life. Anyhoo... enjoy O beautiful.


This film is an after story of a hate crime. A story of what-if's and wishful thinking. A story of regret and penance.

Brad
Part of me empathize with Brad. His emotions in the film really push some of my buttons. Probably because I experienced them too. Though I was not in anyway raped before, I understand the feeling of terror when Andy came back with his truck. The thought of someone not part of your inner circle knowing what you are brings out the phobia in any budding gay kid. Not to mention, this guy who came back is friends or even teammates with Brad's rapists.

I understand Brad's reaction all too well. The self-pity. The rage. The defensiveness. The mellowing. The resolve. It's as if Brad represents all there is about a gay kid's life. The five phases that I mentioned encompass the 5 stages of moving on of a gay man, well, for me at least.

I remembered shutting myself to others because I was afraid other boys I'll think that I'm just want to be friends with them for their bodies. That's why my initial reaction when guys approached me before was evasion or a shiver, just like Brad did when Andy tried to wipe the blood using his bonnet. I still have that fear even today and I am always very careful around other men around me.

There were two instances that Brad mellowed out to Andy. That one time the Brad invited Andy to his house and in the truck when Andy was fake asleep. I've always wondered how it turned out if Andy obliged to Brad's invitation. If Andy just accepted the invitation, Brad wouldn't have ran away. I imagined it to be a window of weakness for Brad, it was a risk asking a guy whom he barely talk to to come with him to his home. That's why I perfectly understand that when Andy turned him down, his defenses went back on. Then in the truck when Andy was faking he's asleep, he told him he was lying. He told him the truth. He told him that he was a virgin. He bared himself to Andy...

"but tonight..."

When Brad was touching Andy's chest, there was no lust in his eyes. He just wanted someone or some guy to care for him. Someone with a warm chest and a sturdy shoulder so he can shed his armor of bravado. I can totally relate.

That's why I perfectly understand when Brad turned on his defenses after Andy confessed that he watched the whole ordeal. He was thinking he found the guy that he can trust, being the first person that he told his true persona, only to be betrayed at the last minute. oooh boy... I totally relate.

In retrospect, Brad not taking Andy's hand when he was trying to give a handshake is simply a defensive mechanism. But I can imagine that it was pretty hard on Brad's part evidenced by a long pause during the handshake scene.

In my mind, Brad was crying both in rage and disappointment for the boy he thought he could trust.

Andy
This character is a very complex one. That's why I fell in love with David Clayton Rogers immediately after the last scene. He provided the right emotions, expressions, and repression to make the character likable, believable, and human. I may not like it, as I picture Andy as a perfect but broken guy, he's a closeted homosexual. Yep. he is.

I can describe Andy with one word, CONFUSED. He is confused of trying to be a good person yet tries so hard to protect his image especially with his peers. He knows that what they did was wrong, but was afraid that he will be called a fag if he stops his friends. He believes that being a gay is not ok with God but deep inside him, he knows, he is one. And that's his reason for not coming out of the closet, he speaks of religion but the truth is he's just afraid.

All throughout the film, we can see a very unstable Andy, one scene his shouting and cursing, yet in the next scene he will be friendly and nice. This adds to the Confused description that I gave him. He's not exactly sure how to handle the situation. He came back to help, but was not expecting the antagonistic response of Brad. That pissed him off but tried to calm down and still help. By the end of the movie, it was revealed that he was guilty for what happened to Brad. He watched as his peers sodomized this gay kid in front of him. He was so guilty that's why it came to the point that he allowed Brad to touch him. If you would recall that scene, that was the time that his face really looked as if he was thinking of something heavy. Then... He confessed to Brad that he watch.

One line that redeemed Andy for me is the last line...

"Hey Brad... Send me some... postcards or somethin..."

I think this showed that he really showed compassion and care for Brad. Brad may or may not oblige to this but I'm sure it will be on Brad's mind.

---

I love this film. I can keep watching it again and again. oh Dvaid Clayton Rogers... Why are you so beautiful?

I was busy making my slides for the workshop I was going to spearhead when a very peculiar headline from my Rappler news feed popped out.

'My Husband's Lover' bill

I'm sure if you know me, you know by now that I dab into the legal stuff even though I'm an Engineer by profession. I immediately clicked the link and was directed to the article. At first, I was amused with the title; but that quickly dissipated when I read what the article was about. Albay representative Edcel Lagman filed the so called My Husband's Lover Bill.

"His proposed law seeks to provide wives and husbands the option to sue their partners who are committing same-sex adultery.

Dubbed as the "My Husband's Lover" bill, the measure seeks to broaden the definition of adultery under Article 333 of the Revised Penal Code to include same-sex extramarital affairs.
-Rappler

For discussion purposes, I will be speaking in the view of a gay man since it is the kind of homosexuality I am most familair with. But that doesn't mean what I'm saying does not apply to lesbians and bisexuals.

I understand Rep Lagman's ideals for equality. I understand it too well. But as much as I want to support this equality bill of his, I think there are things to be acknowledged first before we talk about this issue.

#1 Pass the Anti-discrimination Bill.
Fear of discrimination from society is the number one reason why gay men hide in the closet. They deny what they truly feel since it is not the norm. That is why they do great lengths to keep their real identity hidden, even going as far as marrying a woman so as not be disgraced from being a homosexual.

But even though these gay men are "happily" married, a certain aspect of their life is not fulfilled. That is why their homosexual tendencies haunt them. Until finally, they give in to temptation and have a secret love affair with one of their kumpares.

Point is, regardless if the relationship with the third party was just about sex or love, these men were gay from the start who forced themselves to not accept who they truly are because of fear of discrimination. That is the root of this problem, and it should be the one to be addressed. The My Husband's Lover Bill just cure the symptom but not really the cause. That is why the passing of the Anti-discrimination Bill is in order to lessen or even eradicate the fear of discrimination amongst the LGBT ranks. Thereby, lowering the cases of closetted gay men marrying females.

#2 Acknowledgement that Same-sex relationships are legitimate. Allow Same sex marriages.
We were told when we were kids that having a family of your own is one of the greatest joys of life. Guess what? It's true! That is why the Philippine government should allow same sex marriage so that homosexual couples can have the same rights as hetero couples. The right to create a family and kinship will be awarded to the homosexual couple. There is no need to create a fake normal family just to be happy.

#3 Empower the spouses. Pass a Divorce Law.
After finding out that your husband is gay who has a relationship with his bestfriend (whoa! My Husband's Lover's plot!) and there's this law that will punish them, what are you going to do? Of course, you file a law suit against them. Then after winning the case what's next? You live with your husband again with the hope that you continue your married life and live happily ever after? Duh! The legal wife's only legal remedy is legal separation to avoid that awkward scenario. But then again, this is the case with heterosexual couples too when the husband keeps a concubine. Though with the heterosexual couple, there is a chance to salvage the marriage since they can still be attracted to one another, but it's not the same with the earlier case. A fully enlightened gay man will never sleep with a woman. EVER AGAIN.

#4 Complicated scenarios
Before I go and give my approval to this, I want the lawmakers to answer how they are going to handle these situations.

The Husband is Bisexual.
Since teh husband is bisexual, he has two sexual needs. One for a woman, and one for a man. And we all know that sexual satisfaction is a need. How can this case be handled then?

The Husband and Wife conspired to extract money from the third party but that didn't go as planned.
Suppose that the wife knows that her husband is a boytoy of a rich third party gay man, but she connived with her husband so that they can profit from this gay man. But eventually her husband truly fell in love with the rich gay man and left his wife. Then the wife filed a case, how will this be treated? After all, with her conniving with her husband initially, she gave her blessing with the relationship.

---

Again, I am all for the equal protection of rights. But there are things that needs to be addressed first before we homosexuals are put into bad light as home wreckers.

It's already been a month since the controversial airing of the pilot of my new addiction, My Husband's Lover. It's also been weeks after the CBCP gave a "reminder" about the show's sensitive theme. Only to be, sorry there is no word for it, masupalpal with GMA's statement about the show.

“GMA Network welcomes the scrutiny of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) of our primetime program ‘My Husband’s Lover’. We believe that our program while tackling sensitive real-life situations is produced with utmost prudence and in good taste. The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board or MTRCB has given the program an SPG (Strong Parental Guidance) rating and GMA is committed to comply with all its standards.

We would like to thank all the viewers of ‘My Husband’s Lover’ for supporting our program not just by watching it but via intelligent discussions and comments in all forms of media. The Kapuso Network is pleased with the high ratings that ‘My Husband’s Lover’ has achieved in its first two weeks and would like to assure the Filipino audience that we will continue to produce relevant and entertaining programs.” - GMA Network

I think this is just a battle Open-minded people vs close-minded people. I really don't get what their concern is with the show. There always this concern about the youth with the likes of CBCP. Honestly, I really don't know why they are concerned. Here's my comment to this guy. He commented in Jessica Zafra's article in Interaksyon.com and he, just like the CBCP, is concerned about the youth having Gender Confusion. I was trying to comment but kept receiving error messages. So here is my reply to him.

Let's chop it too.

1st issue: Taga Tondo ako so I guess kahit hindi ko personally nakita yung mga taga-riles sa Blumentritt at eskinita sa QC, I have credibility to say I know this people with "given socio economic status". Question. Pag mahirap, bobo agad? this is what "given their socio economic status" implies right? These people are parents too. You don't need a college diploma to explain to your kids what the show is trying to impart. Also, the rating SPG does not mean your kids can't watch it and the parents should turn of the TV when it is rated SPG. STRIKTONG PATNUBAY NG MAGULANG means the parents should be their with the kids while their watching it so as to avoid confusion and the parents can explain the matter to them at real time. Let the parents do their job as parents, at least give them that chance.

2nd issue: We have confusion. Then realization. Then conclusion. That's how people learn. Try remembering your first math class. Nuff said.

3rd issue: Let the kids decide if they want to watch it. Then stick to the SPG rating with the parents watching it with them. Matalino pala ang mga bata ngayon eh. Let them use their brains and think about the show's message. She's right you know. We start as gay kids and grow up as gay men. Gay Professional Men who contribute well to the society. Also, hindi ka magiging bakla pag nanuod ka ng My Husband's Lover. Bakit magkakaron ng confusion ang mga bata just from watching the show? Baka naman what your trying to say is baka makarelate sila? Di kaya?

I will iterate...

HINDI NAKAKABAKLA PANUORIN ANG MY HUSBAND'S LOVER

The show is a reflection of what is happening to the society. The show depicts real life that everything is believable. Also, in terms of execution, tt is the prime example that you don't need flesh exposure or kissing scenes between two males to make the show appealing to the gay milieu. The simple scenes that we can relate to and the kilig moments are enough to keep us hooked.

That is why I don't see anything wrong with the show. It is done in good taste and well applies to the masses curious buds.

I consider this story as my masterpiece because of the rawness and the intensity of the emotions being portrayed in it. I am very proud of this article, even though it was not beautifully written. I wrote this when I was first exploring my capacity as a writer. I thought I should update it so that it will be at par to the message I was trying to say.
-Wilberchie

My name is Fred. I'm a painter. I paint to share my ideas, insights, and points of view. I have made many paintings, some of which have a story to tell.

I remembered my first art exhibit. Not many known people came. Just a few bunch of friends and people who appreciate art. I put out many paintings: beautiful landscapes, beautiful men and women, and items I find interesting. Many of them were thrilled to see the different models and scenery that I painted. Except for one that they think was the most horrifying and gruesome painting they ever saw, entitled "The Rape of Tonying". When I was asked to give a speech as the exhibitor, they asked me about the "ugly" painting. I said, "Actually among my collection, The Rape of Tonying is the painting where I perfectly captured the essence of what it's trying to convey because it imparts a deep message; and also, it has a very sad but interesting history."

Tonying was my bestfriend. He, for me, was the embodiment of compassion, courage, and kindness. He was adored by many, but was feared when he was mad. We became friends because we were different from the normal male youth...

We were homosexuals.

At first I was discreet, because I know that people would pick on me if they found out. But Tonying, on the other hand, was brave. He boasted that he was gay and was not ashamed of it. It made me stand strong and look up to his ideals. To make the story short, he was the perfect friend/sister/brother to me.

We were in college when Tonying fell in love with a guy. This guy was named Kindred. He was from the same school as us but in different college. He was taking an engineering course while Tonying and I were taking Fine Arts. We met Kindred in our LTS class. We sat down in our class and he approached us.

"Is this seat taken?" he asked, while pointing at the seat near Tonying.

Well, the room was already full and there was no one sitting beside Tonying.

"No," Tonying replied. "you may take it if you like."

"Thank you," Kindred said.

"I'm Tonying by the way, and this is my bestfriend, Fred."

"Hello!", I said cheerfully.

"I'm Kindred, ummm... can I accompany you guys in LTS class? I'm not used to being alone. Is it okay?" Kindred asked.

"Sure, as long as you will not be ashamed being around us." Tonying seriously replied.

"What do you mean?"

"We are gays, that's why that seat was not taken" I answered back.

"Well I'm not against gays anyway so don't worry."

"Good..." Tonying replied.

That was our first encounter with Kindred. Our relationship with him got deeper and deeper as the time went by, especially Tonying and Kindred. We go out, eat lunch, eat dinner, watch movies, hang-out, those typical barkada things. I knew that Kindred was a staight guy, but I doubt that he has a thing for Tonying. Of course, I know Tonying loves Kindred. What would we have talked about in all those sleepless nights? One day when we eating lunch, Tonying's cellphone buzzed. It was a text message from one of his group heads. He was supposed to attend a seminar today.

"Sorry guys, I have to go, I forgot I have a seminar to attend." Tonying said as he was putting all his stuff inside his bag.

"Why won't you eat first?" Kindred offered.

"No time I have to go. Bye guys!" Tonying said while speeding off to the building where the seminar is being held.

Kindred and I were left at the table when suddenly he asked me in a serious tone:

"Fred, will you help me make Tonying my baby?"

"What!?," shocked from what I heard. "you have a thing for Tonying too?"

"What do you mean?" Kindred's eye narrowed. Obviously curious.

'Oops!! I spilled!' I thought, "Okay, Okay... Tonying loves you too! Ever since you sat down beside him at LTS class, the time that you said that you don't care if were gays, he admired you for your open-mindedness and bravery."

"I admired him too... He's a brave, intelligent, and kind person. I loved him because of that. I know I'm straight but I just can't help the feeling that I'm falling for Tonying."

"Are you serious?"

"I never had been serious like this in my life."

"Are you ready for the challenges and trials that you want to get into?"

Tonying stood in silence for a few seconds. His face serious.

"I...", he drifted in a soft tone.

He stopped in silence again, his face looking puzzled. But just a few seconds after that, his faced relaxed and he said: "I'm ready, if it is with Tonying", determination, without a doubt, on his facial features.

So with my help, Tonying and Kindred entered a relationship that is not recognized by the society. But instead of losing faith in their love, the trials and challenges made them stronger. But there came one trial that really challenged their relationship....

We were on our senior year when Kindred joined a fraternity. At first, Tonying was not in favor, they even argued in front of me, shouting and all. But in the end, because Tonying loved Kindred so much, he favored.

Kindred had to pass the initiation before he was officially admitted. That time the initiation was Hazing. It was Tonying who nursed Kindred after he was paddled to his knees. His lower backside seems like a big ube crop because it was colored purple. Tonying was swelling in tears when we was carefully massaging Kindred's bruises. At last, Kindred was in. He was one of the brothers.

On the night that Tonying and Kindred were celebrating their 3rd anniversary, there was a call from Kindred's cellphone. It was one of his brothers.

"Brod, we need you here, it's payback time to those freaks who attacked one of our brothers, we're here at the 3rd street." the one on the cellphone said.

"Brod. Sorry. I can't. It's our anniversary."

"We need you here and that's final! You swore loyalty to the group. If you don't come here, we'll kill whoever you're with! *beep.....*"

Kindred, not letting Tonying notice that he was shocked, put his cellphone in his pocket and spoke, "I'm sorry sweetie, I must go, the Brods need me."

"NO! I wont let you go! I won't let you! You will just get in trouble!" Tonying erupted.

"Sorry sweetie, I must go, I swore loyalty to the group, it is my responsibility."

"How about your responsibility to me? Is your fraternity more important than me?" Tonying now crying.

"I'm sorry sweetie, please understand..."

Tonying silent, and then spoke "I'll let you go only if I'm with you."

"Sweetie it's dangerous! I don't want you to get involved!"

"So it is dangerous why do you need to go?!"

"I'm sorry sweetie please understand," Kindred pulled Tonying to his arms, gave him a warm long hug. Then he moved his face closer to Tonying's and gave him a warm kiss. "I'll make it up to you when I get back."

Kindred left Tonying for his brothers that night. Tonying stood by the door and watched his beloved drove away. Silent tears were falling from his eyes. When the Kindred's car was out of sight, he broke down and wept hard.

A few streetlights more, Kindred finally arrived at the 3rd street. The Brods are armed with thick tubes, metal knuckles, tear gas and many more. They silently waited for their prey to come. They didn't wait long, soon enough, the prey was coming to the predators' trap. Kindred's group did the 1st assault, they hit the other group with their weapons. But unknown to them the enemy group was prepared for their attacked because they were armed with...

BANG!!!

A gunshot silenced both groups. Kindred's group was shocked to see one of there enemies holding a gun. Before everyone can react, a bullet was fired to the person nearest to the gunner. Heading straight to his chest.

BLAAAG!

Kindred fell to the ground. The enemy frat ran away leaving Kindred's team with a wounded member. Kindred, who was shot, was rushed to the hospital. He kept on saying "Call my sweetie, Tonying", "Call my sweetie, Tonying, say I'm sorry", before he passed out.

Tonying was fast asleep when his cellphone rang. He answered took his phone and quickly answered it because it was his sweetie.

"Sweetie? Where are you? Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry but this is not Kindred, I'm Mike one of his brod."

"Why? Where's my sweetie? What happened?" Tonying becoming more tense and worried.

"He was shot, he's here at the hospital, he kept on saying 'call my sweetie, Tonying'"

"What hospital?! I'll be there"

When Tonying arrived at the hospital, his heart dropped as he was informed that his sweetie was inside the ER for an operation. Hours had passed and finally, the doctors came out of the ER.

"The operation was successful, but we don't know when he would wake up, there was a blow from his head because he fell, it affected his consciousness. But he'll be alright because the bullet wound was not that deep." the doctor announced.

It's as if a big cross was lifted from Tonying's shoulders. He began to cry tears of joy. Kindred's brods left the hospital while Tonying stayed and took care of his sweetie. Although he doesn't know if when his sweetie will wake up, he was willing to wait. He prayed everyday to the Lord, that his sweetie be given another chance. He waited and prayed. Of course, I was with him all that time. Until one day, his prayers were answered. Kindred woke up. Tonying, too happy hugged his sweetie tight, it was one of the most happiest day of his life.

Soon enough, Tonying started to join campaigns against Fraternities and Sororities that engage in rumbles and frat-wars.

"I don't want you to go to the rally... you might be hurt" Kindred declared.

"This time it's my turn to say that this is my responsibility please understand sweetie." Tonying smiled as he embraced his sweetie. "Don't worry I'll be fine."

Tonying became one of the loudest youth leaders that shout out the abolition of fraternities and sororities. I should know, I was his secretary. He was a public figure. He was being visible everywhere, he campaigned for the same thing everywhere he goes. It made a fuzz at the fraternities and sororities side.

One night when Tonying and I were walking home, a group of guys blocked our passage. Suddenly, a black van stopped and opened its door, they swiftly took Tonying. There were many of them that made the task easy. I was pushed to the side and was left alone on the pavement. I quickly called Kindred, to tell him of what happened. Soon, we contacted the police.

Three days have passed before a new lead was gathered. Someone saw a black van enter and leave an abandoned building by the avenue near the monument. It has been confirmed that a body of someone was found there. Kindred and I accompanied the police to the crime scene. We were shocked when we saw the lifeless body. It was Tonying, stripped, his hands and feet tied, his mouth has a cloth wrap around it, his anal area, bleeding. I couldn't help but cry when I saw the horrible state of Tonying's body that time. Kindred, was silent, I know what he must be feeling. Even I can't speak anything when I saw it. It was so horrible.

Tonying's death sparked the heart of our fellow activists to voice out louder on the abolition of frat and soros. Even Kindred joined our cause. We were the ones who continued Tonying's legacy. We cried out for mercy for his death. By God's grace, the ones responsible for the horrific murder were found and were sentenced to death.

I graduated from college, and from then on, I knew I changed. I became braver. I became the person that I admired the most, Tonying.

"...This painting is a memoriam for my bestfriend Tonying. Some of you might know him as the "Gay activist". For me he's not an activist. He just fought for the simple reason that he loved. The painting, yes, at 1st glance looks hideous. But it holds a message that I know Tonying will want to share to the world. Tonying, the person in the painting, is a representation of a gay life. Stripped, not ashamed; Hands tied, burdened because of other people; has his cut organ in his mouth, symbolizes that gays can find ways to make themselves happy no matter how hard the situation is; Anal bleeding, to symbolize the "Rape" of people to the gay society. Rape here pertains to the bad persona entailed about being gay, the prejudice and the hate for gays.

I know where ever Tonying is right now, I know he is proud of me, that I am now a brave person like him, that I am able to speak my ideas to society."

And an eruption of claps followed my praise to my most admired person, Tonying.

Nashare ko nato sa mga tao sa Bataan. Now is the time to really put it in writing.

Ten Rules that govern Inhinyera Dyosa Whihelmina's life

Rule#1

"Kung gusto mong igalang ka ng mga tao, maging kagalang galang ka. Haliparot ka tapos gusto mo galangin ka?!"

Rule#2

"Wag kang gagawa ng bagay na maari mong ikahiya. Prevention is always better than Damage Control."

Rule#3

"Ang kaibigan di pinapatos, kung masarap sya, konting tiis, baka sa susunod twing nakikita ka nya, wala na syang ginawa kundi mainis."

Rule#4

"Wag tumikim kung pagsisisihan mo din. Di mo naman pwede isuka yan eh."

Rule#5

"Wag mong asahang proprotektahan at uunahin ka ng mga lalake. Hindi ka prinsesa teh."

Rule#6

"Pag nagmahal ng boylet, magtira rin ng pagmamahal sa sarili. Hindi dapat lahat ibinibigay."

Rule#7

"Pag nadapa, matutong tumayo mag-isa. Tapos, kumanta ng Stronger by Britney Spears."

Rule#8

"Wag hayaan ang mga tao ay husgahan ka dahil lang sa sexual orientation mo. Mas magaling ka sa kanila, at kaya mo yung patunayan."

Rule#9

"Lahat ng bagay sa mundo may dahilan. Kelangan mo lang hanapin o hintayin ang sagot"

Rule#10 *NEW*

"Maging mabuti ka, wag mabaet. Alay sa taong mahal ko. =D"

Nakakaloka!!! yun ang sigaw ng isip ko habang nanunood!

Marami kagad akong narinig na feedback na panget. Kasi Filipino made tapos si Richard Gutirrez pa yung bida na sadyang sinusuka ng mga guy friends ko. Such prejudice. Palibhasa kasi, ang hilig yung mga namamatay yung bida! *O jebs tamaan ka ng batong malaki!*

On to the movie proper, Nabore ako sa simula! Parang ang haba ng preparation before the main issue. Pati mother ko nabore din sa simula. At nakakaloka! Hindi naman ako madaling naeeskandalo pero the laplapan scene of Richard and Anne after the bar scene ay feeling ko ang bilis! Kaler! Pero as the plot deepens, at lumalabas na ang issue ng rift between Claudine, Richard and Anne's characters. Ngawngaw na kam ng ngawngaw ni Mother. Grabeh!

Nakakarelate ako sa role ni Claudine, yung bang may inuuna syang bagay kesa sarili nya. Dahil siguro sa sense of responsibility nya hindi nya mauna yung sarili nya. Tapos yung tawagin pa syang ahas... NAKU NAKARELATE TALAGA AKO!!!

Nakakarelate din ako sa role ni Richard, yung torn between two things. Ang tama, at ang kaligayahan. Kalerkey diba? LALO NA NUNG PINILI NYA YUNG KALIGAYAHAN!!! SUS!!!

Nakakarelate din ako sa role ni Anne, yung ayaw mong mawala yung mahalagang tao sayo pero kelangan mo syang pakawalan. YUNG LET GO PARA MAGING MASAYA SYA!!!

Ayan! Ako na ang gaganap sa tatlong roles na yan sa susunod! whahahha!

Para saken, maganda sya. Ang complex nung web ng relationship. It's really a glimpse of what Filipinos do para lang makasurvive at makapag-stay sa US of A. Sana tuloy tuloy na yung gantong quality story movie ng GMA films.

Pero nakakaloka din ah! Isipin mo BnBp! It's a Whil-Mike-Av like triangle... Watcha think??? Hindi mo magets?? Read mo itong mga ito! Part 1, Part 2, Finale.

PHILIPPINES: Anti-Vagrancy Law

(Women's Feature Service/January 20, 2006)

DAVAO CITY -- On the night of November 14, 2003, Mary
Salsaba was with her friend Norma waiting for a
jeepney ride along downtown San Pedro Street here when
suddenly a police car screeched to a stop. To their
surprise, a policeman approached them and, without
word, forcibly hauled them off to the car and brought
them to jail.

The police arresting Salsaba later explained in an
affidavit that they were conducting routine
surveillance when they spotted Salsaba and her
companion. Because they were observed “as loitering or
wandering around the said street corner without any
lawful purpose despite their physical capacity to
work”, Plaza arrested them on the ground of
“vagrancy,” a crime publishable under Art. 202 of the
Revised Penal Code.

Recently, the case of People v. Salsaba has gained
prominence as a test case after women’s groups
questioned the constitutionality of Article 202. The
case is now pending before the Supreme Court after the
Regional Trial Court in Davao City declared the
anti-vagrancy provision as unconstitutional.

Article 202 which is entitled “vagrants and
prostitutes” states that a vagrant is “any person
having no apparent means of subsistence, who has the
physical ability to work and who neglects to apply
himself or herself to some lawful calling; and any
person found loitering about public or semi-public
buildings or places or trampling or wandering about
the country or the streets without visible means of
support.”

Prostitutes, on the other hand, are defined by Article
202 as “women who, for money or profit, habitually
indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct.”

These definitions, according to criminal law experts,
is so vague and so broad that these opened the
floodgate to abuse and various interpretations. In the
US, vagrancy laws which are called the “garbage pail
of criminal laws” have targeted not only plain
loiterers and wanderers but also hippies and students.


In the Philippines, women’s groups assail the
provision for being particularly discriminatory
against prostituted women and children who are
imprisoned by the police on grounds of simply “having
no apparent means of subsistence and are found
loitering and wandering in the streets.” In Southern
Mindanao alone, more than 300 cases were filed against
persons considered as vagrants, mostly women and
children from January to June last year.

Lawyer Evalyn Ursua, Salsaba’s counsel and director of
the Women’s Legal Bureau, asserted that the law runs
counter to constitutionally-protected individual
rights, particularly the right to liberty and the
right to free expression. Salsaba, for example,
happened to be lingering in the city streets just
before midnight, for which reason she was sent to
prison for the crime of “vagrancy”.

“Loitering or wandering in public places is an
exercise of one’s freedom of expression. And no person
shall be deprived of such rights freedoms without due
process of law,” Ursua said.

Ursua’s argument was later upheld by the Regional
Trial Court in Davao City which found the provision
also a violation of the “equal protection clause”
guaranteed under the Bill of Rights. The RTC decision
partly states that:

"Loitering about and wandering have become national
pastimes, particularly in these times of recession
where there are many who are without visible means of
support, not by reason of choice but by force of
circumstance as borne out by the high unemployment
rate in the entire country...To authorize law
enforcement authorities to arrest someone for no other
reason than the fact that she cannot find gainful
employment would indeed be adding insult to injury."

Aside from vagrancy charges that could be filed
against those found loitering and wandering without
means of support in this city, children below 15 years
old could also be imprisoned for violating a city
ordinance which imposes a curfew on minors. They are
prohibited from loitering in public places here from
10 pm to 4 am of the following day, unless they are in
the company of their parents or guardians.

“Thus, children find themselves locked up at congested
Philippine National Police (PNP) stations until social
workers from CSSDO conduct their counselling sessions
the next day,” writes Mae Templa in her study entitled
“Understanding Children in Conflict with the Law in
Davao City.”

Legal Assistance for Women
Lawyer Romeo Cabarde, Ursua’s co-counsel, said Article
202 often victimizes the poor thus creating a
situation “where you may be penalized for being
jobless and loitering in the city streets,” he said,
citing Salsaba’s case who is jobless and who happens
to live in a known urban poor area in Davao City.
Cabarde is also the director of the Davao-based Luna
Legal Assistance Center for Women and Children which
so far handles at least four cases of vagrancy,
including the Salsaba case.

Luna, which is a Cebuano term for “space” or “place”,
was formed last year to offer a “refuge or sanctuary
by providing legal assistance to women and children
victims of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and
discrimination.” The center’s formation was prompted
by requests from women’s groups such as the Bathaluman
Crisis Center and Talikala which are swamped by
clients in need of legal assistance. Majority of these
clients, such as Salsaba, could not afford to hire the
services of a lawyer.

Cabarde also noted the following constraints in
rendering legal assistance: machismo in the judiciary,
dilatory court processes, economic dependence of women
and the welfare of children, lack of shelter for
abused children and security of clients. “The
availability and willingness of volunteer lawyers is
also seen as a problem,” he added, as most of them are
also active legal practitioners.

Today, Luna handles more than 30 cases from violations
of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Law
(RA 9262), rape and vagrancy. Cabarde however stressed
that Luna encourages “client participation instead of
dole-out.”

Article 15 of the Convention of the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDA) states
that “parties shall accord to women equality with men
before the law.” Unless women are ensured of access to
legal assistance, Article 15 is rendered meaningless.

The Philippine government is signatory to CEDAW, the
most comprehensive treaty on women’s rights. CEDAW
came into force in 1981 signed by the Philippines in
the same year. It is the second most widely ratified
international human rights treaty, ratified or acceded
to by 180 governments or state parties. CEDAW is the
only human rights treaty to affirm the reproductive
rights of women.

Implementation of the Convention is monitored by the
CEDAW committee of 23 experts, now chaired by a
Filipino, former Ambassador Rosario Manalo. They
review each country’s compliance every 4 years.
~Source

I stumbled upon this post when I was in Bataan. I was browsing through pages of fellow members of Rainbow Bloggers Philippines, when I read from somewhere about the Anti-Vagrancy Law. Intrigued, I searched more about it and found the article above.

I do think that the Anti-Vagrancy Law lacks the proper identification procedure in which one can say that someone is considered "as loitering or wandering around the street corner without any lawful purpose despite their physical capacity to work". The arrest was done at night so I don't see why the policeman didn't have the brains to think that the persons he arrested were just going home. This is I think a case of abuse of power.

Hindi ba translation ng "loitering and wandering around the street corner" ay tumambay sa kanto? if so, dapat buong street ng Pitong Gatang, arestuhin nila. I agree that the law is unconstitutional because it contradicts with the people's freedom to move about.

On another note, if such law exists, why are there so many beggars in Manila? They are the ones that should be considered vagrants. I think that some of them are just bone idle. I see so many beggars who have the capacity to work but does the opposite. That's why I don't give alms. They are vagrants.