2009 Recap

It might seem strange that I first did a year starter piece before I did my 2009 recap. But it was precisely a review of my 2009 that made me embark on a new year essay immediately. Also Jeni forbid me to do a similar essay as her holiday recap cum cheers and jeers for 2009, so had to devise a way to speak my mind as well.

But the facebook application "my year in fotos" allowed me just that opportunity. And as I said, the collage was a real pick-me-up. I realized my year was totally worth it - I got a lot of things done and I was glad for meeting a lot of new people since there were some departures in my life as well.

Looking at my foto albums, I also realized that I did get around this year even if there were no out-of-the-country trips for me. I got the chance to visit old places I've been to, but saw them with new eyes - particularly because of the people I was seeing them with. So Baguio, Cebu and even Tagaytay still seemed exciting and fun for me.

Workwise, I went around as usual lecturing on the Expanded Senior Citizens Law and even organized a National Training-Workshop to put to rest nagging questions about elderly rights and benefits under Republic Act 9257. Somehow, I also got assigned to do regional consultations-orientations on RA 9523 or the administrative procedure for the declaration of abandonment of children before being legally available for adoption. I only got to do one region, Leyte and Samar area, but I got the the most relevant feedback on implementation issues I think.

Of course, my LGBT advocacy work continued and it brought me outside Manila as well. Rainbow Rights Project finally got the chance to reach out to other LGBT orgs in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Baguio. It was quite an opportune time since AngLadlad was also doing extra groundwork for its second attempt at partylist accreditation w/ the Comelec.

While LGBT rights advocacy somehow flourished during the year, it regained its newfound relevance when several negative events happened. This began with Comelec's denial of AngLadlad's application for partylist accreditation, the presence of religious fundamentalists at the annual Pride March in Malate, and even Rep. Abante's vociferous statements against the Filipino LGBT Community. Using his legislative advantage, Abante proposed a bill criminalizing same-sex cohabitation and launched another attack on the anti-discrimination bill filed by Akbayan representatives for the Filipino LGBTs.

All in all, 2009 was also a time for family and friends. People coming back into my life , some leaving for good, and others staying inspite of all the difficulties. And I cherish each and every moment with them.