Filipino boomers think that Gen Z Filipinos are all just kids who are obsessed with TikTok or are still taking their first steps. That’s their first mistake — a handful of us are already in the workplace or are already living on their own.

While that’s perfectly fine, what we don’t appreciate are these labels old people love giving us to dismiss what we have to say. What they don’t know is they’re the ones who end up looking like fools because picking a fight with someone half their age just makes them look insecure.

Here are six of the worst things we keep hearing about Gen Z Filipinos that need to be put to bed.

1. You don’t know anything.

While wisdom does come with age, it doesn’t mean that we don’t know what we’re doing or saying. Filipino boomers love to claim that we don’t know anything when we speak about something remotely political. But when our opinions are backed up with facts or simply consider basic human rights, then maybe they should listen to what we have to say.

It’s just a universal truth that you aren’t treated seriously the younger you are. So imagine how tired we are pointing out valid and research-based arguments but having them fly over people’s heads because we have a little less wrinkles on our face.

2. You get offended too easily.

I’ll be the first to say that this is true to an extent. Twitter and Instagram are a cesspool of eager Gen Z Filipinos cancelling people over the smallest of things. But most of the time, we are offended when someone does or says something which reinforces a culture of hate and oppression.

Trust us, we have better things to do than to tweet about what’s offending us for the day. But when activists are getting killed left and right for simply fighting for what we are owed, the worst thing a person can do is to sit back and watch things happen. Have you ever thought that maybe we wouldn’t be offended all the time if there’s nothing to be offended about?

We’ve already pointed out why calling us snowflakes is not a good idea. And if you don’t see anything wrong with what we’re ranting about, maybe it’s time to educate yourself.

3. You’re wrong because back in the day…

It’s hard to accept that the world has changed so much the past years. Filipino adults should realize that their values and traditions aged along with them. Not everything that was taboo back then is still taboo now. For example, same-sex relationships and premarital sex are more widely-accepted now than they were back then.

Being vehemently against children for supporting or engaging in these things because they didn’t fly in society back then is a lame excuse. Just say you’re judgmental and move along. The Philippines is still a country dominated by religious beliefs, and there’s still a lot of work to be done in terms of truly “accepting” these so-called taboos. But we don’t have to shun anyone just because of what society back then thought.

It’s 2020. If you have access to the internet, then you should know why it’s so easy for Gen Z Filipinos to accept people from different backgrounds. We are constantly exposed to diverse views from all over the country and world.

4. You’re overreacting.

This line can pertain to a lot of things, but let’s shine a light on how some older people just disregard mental health so easily. Depression exists and suicide rate is increasing in the Philippines. Yet there are those who still can’t get it in their heads that these issues do happen to more people than they think.

When you tell someone who is experiencing anxiety attacks or fighting a silent battle against suicidal thoughts that they’re overreacting, what do you think they’ll feel? Do you think they’ll be comfortable confiding in you next time?

It wasn’t an issue back then because people didn’t have a name for it; hell, I didn’t even know what mental health was until I was in college back in 2016. But now that there is more awareness around the idea of mental health, there is no excuse for someone who has heard about it to dismiss it completely. When a parent doesn’t believe a child who says that they may be depressed, it’s just blatant disregard on their part.

5. You have it easy.

Listen, we totally understand why you may think that everything is easy nowadays. The advances in technology from the moment we were born have been nothing short of amazing. We are appreciative of the fact that we can have a message sent over instantly, and be able to watch a show we choose anytime we want.

But it’s unfair to think that our life is sunshine and rainbows. Gen Z Filipinos face problems which are unique to a generation that grew up with the internet. Cyberbullying springs to mind as a prevalent example. Catphishing, sexual harassment in dating apps, and death threats sent through the internet are also things that some of us have fallen victim to.

Additionally, our late teens and twenties are supposed to be some of the best years of our lives, yet we are growing up in a world that’s doomed to fail. If you think we’re overreacting again, then you probably haven’t educated yourself about climate change even if its effects are staring you right at the face. The intense typhoons will kill us if not gunshots from policemen.

Guess which generation our current leaders are from. Now, guess which generation will have to clean up the mess in the future while taking all the blame.

So no, we do not have it easy. And even if we do, you are not a better person for having it harder.

We have a lot to say about older generations looking down on Gen Z Filipinos. Read our open letter to boomers. Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The post 5 Things Gen Z Filipinos are Sick of Hearing from Adults appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

In the next few weeks, high schools and colleges will be welcoming a new school year. That means some of us will be taking our classes virtually in our homes until the pandemic subside. Fortunately or unfortunately, the effects of online classes in the Philippines will be felt by every student who has already enrolled for the upcoming semester.

Here’s our list of painful reminders that the school year just won’t be the same due to the new normal.

Are you one of the people who’s always willing to go out in between or after classes? Unfortunately, you can kiss your kaladkarin self a temporary goodbye. Eating out, buying milk tea, and getting cocktail pitchers together with friends are just some of the things you’ll be missing in the coming months.

While we’re locked up at home, it’s easy to see how much we took those simple moments for granted. And with online classes, we’re just going to miss our friends even more! How much longer can we survive without physically seeing them?

Let’s be real: online classes are just like the online courses you take in Coursera. Aside from a Zoom lecture from your professor, you’ll probably just end up watching videos and reading white papers online to understand the lesson.

Gone are the days of in-classroom activities that have you presenting a Manila paper or a silly little skit with other people. I mean we probably hated doing those things back then, but right now, we are begging for those days to come back.

With that said, we’re challenging teachers to come up with exciting ways to engage students in their online classes. Because of your employers, most of us paid full-price tuition this year no matter how unfair it is. So please don’t make us feel like we could have gotten higher-quality education from a free online course instead.

The first few months of quarantine have already taken such a heavy toll on our mental health. It’s difficult to concentrate on studying when there are so many trashy things happening outside our homes. I think students who were forced to take online classes before the previous school year had ended could attest to the fact.

At the start of quarantine, we’ve come up with creative ways to cope with the pandemic like making dalgona coffee or baking something trendy in the kitchen. But going through a robotic five-day school week without anything else to do can make us go crazy.

If you ever feel this way during the year, make sure to take a mental break! To help you, we have some tips on how you can mentally survive online classes.

Not everyone has the same privileges that you enjoy. The fact that you’re able to read this article on a phone connected to your home wi-fi network means that you are already privileged!

One of the effects of online classes in the Philippines is that it will become much more obvious how every student has unequal opportunities given to them. For example, you will have classmates who just can’t be online all the time because of financial or emotional setbacks.

And for you, that means practicing patience and empathy during times where someone’s lack of privilege hinders them from performing well.

Literally everybody is adjusting to the pandemic so the least you could do is avoid being an added burden to anyone.

Aside from acads, schools are a place for students with common interests to come together in the form of extracurricular activities. It’s not only teachers who have to adjust to the virtual set-up, but student leaders as well.

These clubs have to get really creative with how they do things. For example, it will be interesting how an org that revolves around team sports is going to operate, as opposed to an org that revolves around discussing films.

To the student leaders, it’s important to realize the potential your club can offer to its members as an escape from the mundanity of online classes. Those who will constantly find ways to keep the whole club together will stand out from the rest of the pack.

But honestly though, don’t take your responsibilities too seriously; we’re in the middle of a pandemic.

Everyone knows that the best part of going back to school is finding new crushable classmates on the first day! While this joy is not completely taken away from us during the pandemic, it will be way more difficult.

Aside from the fact that it will take some added skill and determination to get your crush to notice you, Zoom isn’t really a great way to truly determine if one is cute or not. I mean, I’m just being honest here.

You can’t even sit next to them to start a conversation anymore. All you have in your back pocket is the courage to chat up a cute classmate — someone whom you only met through an online class. Tinder is shaking.

But you know what, we are zoomers after all. If there’s someone we want to flirt with, we will make a way!

We can’t talk about the effects of online classes in the Philippines without addressing the recess and lunch situation. Whether you’re in high school or college, it’s always the most exciting part of the day!

For high school students who rely on cafeteria food, this may come as a positive thing if they never liked eating them in the first place. But I’m sure you’re going to miss at least one particular food stall, snack or drink that only your cafeteria can provide.

For college students, just imagine all your favorite restaurants and in-school food stalls that you won’t be able to buy from for some time. Additionally, food trips will temporarily be a thing of the past too.

Home-cooked food will be what the foreseeable future has in store for you which actually might not be a bad thing. In fact, it’s one of our six useful tips to help you (and your family) save up on some money.

And speaking of…

Say goodbye to your baon? It’s time to have that difficult conversation with mom and dad about whether or not you should be given allowance while classes take place remotely.

We know it sucks in all fronts, but we have to give it up to our parents who are working extremely hard to send us to online school in the first place. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s the poor handling of coronavirus in the country & schools making us pay full tuition.

But going back, just be prepared to hear the bad news. You will probably not get as large an allowance as you once did… dun dun dun.

When it comes to online classes, everybody is still dipping their toes in the water. Some will adjust faster, and some won’t.

One thing’s fore sure though: people will find it difficult to understand your choices which means you will have to justify yourself all the time. So just take a deep breath, and don’t let it get to your head.

There will be times when your parents will nag at you because they won’t understand how difficult online classes really are. Or maybe you’re the classmate who can’t go online for a group meeting because your internet is unstable. Or maybe, you’ll have to tell your teacher why it was imperative for your mental health to take a day off.

Or you know, you could be this girl who had to beg her teacher to retake a test because of an honest “meatball accident”.

If writing about the effects of online classes in the Philippines made me feel anything, it’s that school really is our second home. It’s so important that literally all aspects of our lives have been affected because of the shift to online classes.

While we’re thankful that we are able to enroll in them, it’s a shame that quality of education and the entire student experience have to suffer because of it. And that’s just one of the many issues that online classes present.

For all the students out there entering this unique situation soon, I hope this article has helped you mentally and emotionally prepare for the months to come.

What do you foresee will be a problem for you as a student because of the shift to online classes? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Twitter to keep yourself updated on all things zoomer-related.

The post 9 Ways the New School Year Will Hit Different Because of Online Classes appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Is it okay to go outside? Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you know that coronavirus cases have been rising exponentially in the Philippines. Hospitals are once again reaching full capacity, and the end is nowhere in sight.

So it’s a bit troubling to watch people on their IG Stories live life like there’s no pandemic going on. While we continue to hold the government accountable, I think we should also acknowledge our own role in improving the state of our country.

The Problem with Instagram Stories

Let’s address the elephant in the room. I look at my IG Stories, and it’s crazy how the people who claim to miss the pre-coronavirus world so much are the ones who have been incessantly going out too. Don’t get it twisted: I said incessantly.

And to unapologetically post videos of themselves in such a public platform too… like, are they trying to get themselves cancelled?

I’m of course, not talking about those who have to leave their house for essential errands. Nor am I talking about going on a quick drive to do something then returning home immediately. Nor the people going on protests!

My issue is with the people who are physically with their friends every day and clearly not observing social distancing outside of their house!

To these people: I’m all about giving zero fucks what other people think, but you have to know why it’s infuriating for your friends who watch your stories, right?

I feel like you’re smart enough and have a big brain on you.

So when the thought came across your mind that you might get flack for posting said story, I wonder why you still chose to do it anyway.

Was there a disconnect between your brain and your finger? Do you just like annoying people? I just want to know the thinking process behind it!

Posting on IG isn’t the bigger issue here, but I would be lying if I said seeing these stories aren’t a little bit triggering.

There are what we call finsta accounts, so if you want to shut up people like me or avoid judgement from your friends, maybe it’s better if you post everything there.

If you’re bored, be thankful.

It would be good to remind everyone that being bored does not mean it is okay to go outside. Out of all the reasons you could have for leaving the house, this is probably the worst one.

I guess it’s just frustrating because there are people risking their lives every day to go to work and place food in their table. They either put up with the hellish commute every day or are always in physical contact with others. If given a choice, they would most probably choose to be bored at home rather than putting their loved ones and themselves at risk.

Boredom is a privilege that you should be thankful to have, because some Filipinos would kill to have it.

I can’t tell you how to live your life. but if you’re privileged enough to live in a house that has food, internet, a bed, and a shower all shouldered by your parents, then please just stay at home. You have everything you need and more!

I’m not even asking you to avoid the outside world completely because frankly, that’s impossible. Just don’t go out pretending like the virus doesn’t exist.

When can I go out?

While every person has a different take on what is “acceptable” behavior nowadays, I think we can all agree on some things that determine wheter or not it’s okay to go outside. Like for one, you start to cross the line of being irresponsible when you go out every single day doing things that you can live without.

Then there are the idiots who refuse to wear face masks, which I don’t see much of in the Philippines thankfully.

Going to your friend’s house? Definitely better than dining out with them.

By no means am I an expert on this topic, so I’m not even gonna impose my beliefs on when it is okay for you to go out. But it would be good to set your own rules that you yourself should stick to. When you do this, you can hold yourself accountable and not end up a hypocrite.

For example, here are the personal guidelines that I stick to when deciding if I should leave the house to do something:

If the answer to any of my questions is a yes, then I simply don’t go out. By having this list in my mind, I am able to hold myself back from making irresponsible trips that could put other people in danger.

Now I want to ask you: what’s on your list?

To sum up how you should act during the pandemic, just remember to always practice sensitivity. I’d just like to remind everyone that you can unknowingly be a bringer of the virus and harm somebody without meaning to. And we definitely don’t need to see you going against quarantine protocols on Insta every day.

It is also important to note that it is okay to go outside the house.

But keep your loved ones safe by reducing the time you spend needlessly going on dates with friends. And when you go out, please be responsible and cautious.

Rule of thumb: if you have to think about whether going somewhere is okay or not, then it’s probably not okay. The fact that you had to pause and ask yourself if it is okay to go outside means that it’s not necessary for you to do so.

You’re a zoomer; you already know what you’re supposed to do so just avoid being a stubborn piece of work.

What do you think are acceptable reasons to go out of the house during the pandemic? Share your answer in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Want to hear more hot takes from zoomers? Click here to read more!

Featured Image: Ana Madeleine on Pexels

The post Why People are Judging You Because of Your IG Stories During COVID-19 appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Hey zoomer, are you discouraged from registering as a voter in #Halalan2022 because it’s “hopeless” anyway? Do you think that your vote won’t end up making a difference in the big picture?

Honestly, I’ve been there. Back in 2016, I remember just having turned 18 years old but choosing not to register as a voter. I told myself: “what’s my one vote going to do?”

But after educating myself and hacking my brain a bit, I knew that it was imperative for me to vote in the upcoming elections. Here are some ways I convinced myself to register for the next presidential election which I hope can help you or your friends think differently too.

#Halalan2022 is our Hail Mary.

I’m writing this as I grieve over the death of the ABS-CBN franchise which has robbed over 11,000 people of their jobs in the middle of a pandemic. More than that, this move has shown that press freedom in the Philippines is merely an illusion.

And an attack to press freedom is an attack to our personal freedom.

Unfortunately, this has only been one of many questionable decisions that has greatly affected us personally, mentally, and emotionally. The past four years have been exhausting to say the least.

But more than being tired, we are furious.

Now is always the best time to express frustration and take action. But if all our efforts still fall on deaf ears, we have a Hail Mary waiting in our back pocket: #Halalan2022.

You don’t want to be lazy, do you?

If registering as a voter was as easy as entering a 6-digit PIN code, then would you have done it already even if you knew there was no hope of a good candidate winning?

Let’s say you love pineapples on your pizza. Nay, you are passionate about them. Then you see a Twitter poll asking you which one is the superior option: pizza with pineapples or pizza without pineapples.

Before you even look at the results, you already know pizza without pineapples is gonna win in a landslide. But you’re still gonna vote for the option with pineapples anyway, right?

Why did you vote in that poll even if you knew the option you were going to choose would lose? Because all you literally had to do was tap your screen.

Now let’s go back to the elections: why can’t you register to vote even if you knew that a trapo was gonna win anyway?

If you answered that you were going to vote in the hypothetical Twitter poll above, but still don’t want to vote in the presidential election because it’s hopeless, then that’s just you being lazy.

Hopelessness is just laziness at work. Don’t hide behind the “it’s hopeless” excuse because voting is the hope that we need to change things around here.

It’s better than doing nothing.

Voting in #Halalan2022 is honestly the bare minimum that you can do to make an actual difference in how the country is run. While tweeting hashtags is okay, it’s not going to do much in the bigger picture.

This is a once every six years opportunity that we can’t pass up. Registering to vote literally took me just an hour, and voting will take you less than a day to complete.

Imagine taking less than 24 hours off to do something meaningful that will affect you.

A presidential term in the Philippines is six years, which is equivalent to 52,560 hours. When we do the math, the whole voting process is just 0.0005% of that. Your self-care day can wait.

Register so you have the right to complain.

Protect yourself from hearing “don’t complain, you didn’t even vote” the next years. As someone who didn’t vote in the 2016 presidential election, I got this from my family a lot every time I complained about the government.

And honestly, they do have a point. I mean I hated hearing it, but it was true to an extent. Look, every Filipino citizen has a right to complain but you can’t fault people for getting mad over your complaining when you didn’t even do the bare minimum!

Do you know what stopped them from saying this to me? When I registered for #Halalan2022.

This is a card that boomers like to pull out when young people complain, so please, even if it’s just out of spite and pride, register to vote!

You’ll get a lot of hate if you don’t vote.

This is such a bad reason to register but I think it needs to be said as a warning. Unfortunately, cancel culture is not going to end soon. You will get a lot of judgmental shade thrown against you if you don’t vote.

Then there’s also the self-hate, too.

I’ve experienced being called out by my friends firsthand about it. The disappointment in their faces when I reveal this fact is something that I just can’t turn a blind eye to. The guilt also eats me up knowing that I could’ve done something to help make the country a better place for other people.

Foolish 18-year old me not giving a damn about the world.

If you’re still indifferent about what’s going on in the country, do yourself a favor and still register to vote. Because one day, you are going to care about politics and you’ll end up writing an article telling people how much you regret not voting before.

You aren’t alone. We’re with you.

Just look at Facebook and Twitter. Not a day passes by where your timeline isn’t filled with political posts and opinions from your friends. Hell, even Instagram isn’t safe anymore.

And that’s a good thing.

Even the most indifferent people in your circle are being so vocal about national issues while encouraging people to vote in #Halalan2022. If this tells you anything, it’s that you are not alone. If your friends are finally speaking out, then they’re most likely taking their anger to the voting booths too.

Don’t get left behind.

But even if they’re not registered as a voter, then it would be extremely easy to convince them to. The anger is there; they just need a push that you yourself can give them.

Aren’t you just a little bit inspired by a politics-filled timeline? I know I am.

Seeing so many young zoomers speak out may just give you that dose of hope to convince yourself that your vote isn’t useless. Because we are voting with you.

Zoomers, this is your reminder to register as a voter for #Halalan2022. They have suspended registration until August 31 because of coronavirus, but we’ll make sure to remind you when the time to register is near.

In the meantime, open your eyes and ears. This is how you convince yourself to register.

Then when you’re ready, use your voice to convince your friends and everyone you know. We have a country to save; its future is quite literally in our hands.

Also, registering is half the battle. Show up on voting day.

Even if we fail or something fishy affects results, at least you can tell yourself that you did something to try and change the system. And that thought is going to help you through the dark days.

Want a quick recap of the things the Philippines prioritized over the coronavirus pandemic? Click here. We also have more advice for zoomers like you! Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Featured Image: cottonbro on Pexels

The post #Halalan2022: Gen Z’ers of Age, You Have No Excuse Not to Vote appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Zoom in the Philippines is just a whole ‘nother ballgame. Having group calls and e-numans through the video-conferencing app has been a staple in our lives under quarantine.

In fact, we’ve used it so much the past months that we could lump all your friends and colleagues into one of these ten stereotypes, depending on how you act in a Zoom room. The question is: which one are you?

1. The Local Channel Watcher

There’s always that friend who’s on the call with their TV turned on in the background. And for some reason, it’s always tuned in at a time when news are on.

Then there are also times when you’d hear something religious blaring from the TV, like a priest celebrating Mass or reciting a prayer. Definitely not a good time to be talking about sex in your call.

2. The Virtual Background Enthusiast

This person likes to change their Zoom backgrounds to get some laughs in the meeting room. Or maybe it’s just a manifestation of their inner fear of being stuck indoors forever. Probably that.

The Virtual Background Enthusiast is also the person in the call who’s obsessed with dank memes. It’s just the law of nature.

3. The Tita Photobomber Victim

When taking your calls in a shared space, it’s inevitable that somebody pops up in your background… like your mom. However, the Tita Photobomber Victim’s mother just doesn’t care if the others see her in her pambahay clothes, gingerly doing house chores in her leisure time.

Tita will even initiate conversations with her “victim” while the call is ongoing. She just doesn’t give a damn!

One thing’s for sure though: Zoom in the Philippines is definitely more entertaining with her around.

4. The Epitome of “Go Girl, Give Us Nothing”

They’re the person who barely gets a word in throughout the entire meeting. Maybe they’re not fond of online interaction, maybe they’re tired, or maybe they’re just really shy.

But hey, if you look at them once in a while, you’ll see them laughing along with everyone else. It’s a sign that their soul hasn’t been thoroughly sucked out yet!

5. The Chaotic Host

Joseph Stalin, who? Great dictators from history got nothing on this one. Be careful which person you give hosting powers to, because if they end up in the wrong hands, it will be pure chaos!

Nicknames will be changed, participants will be muted, and yes, people will get kicked out.

6. The Electric Fan King/Queen

Ah yes, probably everyone’s favorite person in the Zoom room. The extreme heat means everyone has to turn on their electric fan to get some of that cold air. But no one, and we mean no one, wants to hear that buzzing sound in their ears.

Raise your hand if you’re the bitch who calls out someone when their electric fan is being too loud in a call. I just did.

7. The Pet Show-off

There will come a time when somebody’s dog or cat “accidentally” enters the frame. And I placed that in quotation marks because they’re not fooling anyone, we know this person just wants to show everybody how cute their pet is!

So this is what always happens in this situation: the whole conversation stops as the person expresses (fake) surprise that their pet is suddenly on their lap, everyone stops for fifteen seconds to go gaga over it, some small talk ensues about something “crazy” that the pet did recently, and then everybody carries on with the previous conversation.

8. The Camera-Conscious

This person just isn’t used to being on-cam like us famous stars; they can’t go a minute without touching their hair and face!

Practicing their angles and poses for the gram is how they pass time when they’re on mute. Somebody has to tell them that this is definitely “America’s Next Best Friend”, and not America’s Next Top Model.

9. The Choppy Magician

You know what makes Zoom in the Philippines so different? Our extremely slow internet! I can count in one hand the number of times I’ve been in a call where nobody got disconnected because of extremely abysmal internet.

This person could be saying the most melancholic heartfelt words on earth then suddenly get cut off mid-sentence. Or worse, disappear.

And then reappear… just to disappear again.

They probably hear “ano raw?” and “choppy ka” a lot in these calls. Those words are music to their ears. And when they see that their internet connection is unstable, they’re secretly praying that their video didn’t freeze at a time that made them look like a dumbass.

10. The Skincare Routine Girl

Never watched a beauty vlog in your entire life? Well don’t worry, because this person has you covered.

They’ll do their entire ten-step skincare routine on camera for everyone to watch, not realizing that the oils and product that they put on their face makes them look ridiculous. Or they do, but they just don’t care.

Isn’t Zoom in the Philippines just so colorful? Kidding aside, having an avenue to connect with each other during this pandemic really helps with our sanity. And having all these personalities come together in one virtual room helps the party get started!

So no matter what you’re like in Zoom, we’re happy that you exist. Even you Electric Fan Kings!

Who did we miss out on our list? Leave a comment below!

Having e-numans and Zoom calls are just a few items on our quarantine bucket list that we’ve crossed off. How about you? Take this fun quiz to find out! Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Twitter for more entertaining content.

The post 10 Types of Filipinos You’ll Meet in Zoom Calls and Meetings appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Is love in quarantine even real or is everything just a quaranfling? Dating during coronavirus in the Philippines has been one giant obstacle for us singles since we’ve decided to lock ourselves at home.

Even if we wanted to put ourselves out there, it’s become such a challenge to meet new people in these times. And when you do get past the hurdle of having an actual physical date with someone, more challenges you if you want to maintain those relationships.

However, just like the rest of the world, single people have been making ways to adjust to the pandemic. So how exactly has the dating and hookup game changed after more than 100 days in quarantine?

1. Dating apps are becoming a hot commodity.

Since people have been ordered to stay at home, there has been an incessant use of the three dating app giants: Tinder, Bumble & Grindr. In March, Tinder was the highest-grossing app in the world, while Bumble has been seeing lengthier, higher-quality conversations among its users. As a free gift during quarantine, some of these apps have even offered the feature of talking with people from other countries.

Seriously though, how are you going to meet new people the “old-fashioned” way? I can already imagine us zoomers telling our kids how we met our spouses through Tinder during the whole pandemic. That’s gonna be quite the story, isn’t it?

2. You’re forced to be sure about someone.

Dating during coronavirus means having to only meet someone in person when you really need to. I mean, do you really want to risk getting Ms. Rona from a date with a rando that you’re gonna forget about the next day?

While hookups are a totally different ballgame, a person looking for something serious may only want to meet with you if you’re worth the risk. So take it as a compliment when someone asks you out during this time. There’s a chance they’re doing it because they see potential in you as a serious partner.

Or they’re just lonely and need physical touch. That’s a possiblity, too.

3. Netflix and chill has never been more real.

What would your ideal first date be: a picnic in the park, a fancy restaurant, or a trip to the movies? Too bad, ’cause you’re probably just gonna have yours at each other’s places.

This spells disaster for Filipinos where it’s commonplace to stay under your parents’ roof ’til you’re married. There’s also the tiny problem of not being able to run away when the date is going terribly.

But on the other hand, things can become more intimate when you’re just chilling and enjoying each other’s company. Maybe a Netflix and chill date isn’t as bad as you think it is!

… We’ll let you decide what “Netflix and chill” means.

4. Gift-giving is a must.

So the first date went perfectly, but you don’t want to risk getting the virus again. You’re also tired of saying sweet nothings to each other through text. For the older zoomers, maybe you’ve had virtual sex already.

How else do you express your affection but by sending them care packages through Lalamove? Or surprising someone with a treat from GrabFood?

It’s such a lovely gesture to give gifts in an anxiety-inducing time. No matter what you decide to send over to someone, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it a lot.

On that note, we want to express our utmost support and gratitude to the deliverymen who go out there every day being a messenger of love. Tip them handsomely, kids!

5. There’s more paranoia than ever.

Do you know how sometimes a person you meet through Tinder just seems too good to be true?

Well imagine that feeling on top of the thought that they’re just using you to pass boredom. Doubting someone’s true intentions and honesty is probably a dating trend that will continue during these times.

Always make sure you’re cautious of the people you meet online. They might just like the feeling you give them, but they may not necessarily like you.

6. People have become more clingy.

Who knew online dating could be so high-maintenance?

Don’t be surprised if someone seems overly excited to interact with you. With everyone being apart from their friends and family for so long, dating during coronavirus has become a playground for separation anxiety.

This pandemic has already taken a lot from us, so excuse us if we’re a little pushy and clingy and never want the conversation to end.

7. Ghosting is easier.

If you want to try dating during coronavirus, then you better emotionally prepare yourself. Unfortunately, getting ghosted has become a stronger possibility in these times.

Think about it: it’s easier to leave somebody hanging and ignore them forever when it’s become more difficult to physically meet up with each other. Also, with there being more users on these apps, who’s to say that you’re not just another replaceable number for somebody?

It all ties back to the fact that some people right now just want to flirt and go on virtual dates for fun. Nothing more.

This spells trouble for those who are looking to find real romantic partners. One day, you might be thinking of taking the next step with a person but then, they’ll never ever reply back to you again. Like, ever.

So to all my ghosters reading this, please grow up and face the music. Behind the screen, there’s a real person with real feelings. Everyone is more anxious these days, so you’re actually harming someone’s mental disposition and emotional confidence when you ghost them.

We know we kind of ended the article on a sad note. But if you have the self-esteem for it, we don’t see why you shouldn’t try out dating during coronavirus!

And if you’re one of the lucky birds who has had a successful love story during these times, we want to hear you out in the comments. Same goes for the people who want to share their thoughts or own (failed) experiences!

Dating can be a coping mechanism for Filipinos not only because of the pandemic, but because the government decided some things are more important than coronavirus. Read more now!

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The post How Coronavirus Has Changed the Way Filipinos Date appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Dear Facebook, you have effectively killed our democracy by turning a blind eye on fake news and troll accounts. Do we need to start our own Facebook ad boycott in the Philippines to get you to listen to us?

We know you don’t care much when you’re still turning profit from our advertising pesos, but tech giants like yourself need to know your place. Stop messing with how the world operates because if the people get angry enough, we could crush you like the bug that you are.

Facebook is Basically a Military-Grade Weapon

Just weeks ago, something crazy jolted me up from the bed, and into a pool of anger. A lot of my friends and I who had graduated from, or studied in the University of the Philippines, woke up to news that gave me absolute goosebumps. Multiple “duplicate” accounts had been created using our names overnight. These accounts had a default profile picture, which was a huge indicator that they were created by trolls. Oh, and what’s worse is, some of these accounts were sending threatening messages to the real users.

Now, some of you might be wondering why it’s such a scary thing. Well, this happened right at the peak of the #JunkTerrorBill movement that forced a lot of zoomers to speak out online against the government and the Anti-Terror Bill.

With how vaguely the ATB could be interpreted, the writing was on the wall: these duplicate accounts could post something incriminating under your name, like pretending to threaten people for example. If they do that, you could easily be thrown in jail without question.

Later on however, we’d realize that it was not just students and alumni from my school who were being targeted. Most of the victims of this cyber identity thefit situation were those who were vocal about their opposition to the Anti-Terror Bill.

There were a lot of theories as to where the data came from.

It could have been from an algorithm that targets people who had used the hashtag “#JunkTerrorBill” in one of their posts. Another theory is how the trolls targeted users who had signed a Change.org petition against the ATB. One thing is for sure though: with how quickly the accounts were being created, Facebook was once again being used as a weapon by the troll farms.

So after that happened, Facebook said no malicious activity happened, and the National Bureau of Investigation claimed it was a glitch. Pretty sure no one who was victimized believed that.

What kind of Black Mirror episode did I just live through?

How Facebook Killed our Democracy

After that whole thing, I decided to watch The Great Hack on Netflix. It’s a great look into how a data analytics company, Cambridge Analytica, had used our Facebook data to skew elections in different countries with the aid of targeted ads. While that might seem like fair game, they planted fake news and intentionally created dissent in these countries to make their client win. Of course for some reason, they decided to side with candidates who were bigots for these elections.

Here’s the kicker. They were a British consulting firm, but had the balls to test out their strategies on developing countries like the Philippines. Then, once they proved their success in these areas, they then decided to take on the 2016 U.S. presidential election and Brexit next.

Like… are they for real? Why do these people think that they can just swoop in and totally change how other countries operate?

We are not your guinea pigs! If you’re going to pull down your zipper and piss all over the plants, do it in your own backyard!

But besides that, the fact that Facebook is doing virtually nothing to regulate political ads, fake news, and troll accounts shows where their allegiance truly lies: their bank account. Having these things unregulated in a social media-heavy country like ours is tantamount to a dead democracy.

If you don’t have facts, you can’t have truth. If you don’t have truth, you don’t have trust. If you don’t have these two things, you don’t have democracy.

Maria Ressa in a 2019 interview with CIGI

So if you’ve been on the political side of the internet for some time now, you’d know how our current government has used Facebook to create chaos. Paid troll armies are the most notorious example, coming to the defense of the president when he is being criticized. As they grow in number, the divide between Duterte’s supporters and detractors just keep getting bigger and bigger by the day.

Which is exactly what they want. And something that Facebook has done nothing about.

July 2020 Facebook Ad Boycott

Since Americans have caught up to Facebook’s role in democracy and elections, lawmakers have been rightfully grilling Zuckerberg for lack of regulation when it comes to fake news. And now that the 2020 U.S. presidential elections are coming up, the anger of the people has been piling up, as Facebook could very well be weaponized to favor a presidential candidate again.

Additionally, the platform has been used to post hateful content against vulnerable communities, primarily those that include BIPOC. They have refused to take down hate-filled comments in relation to recent killings against POC. One such comment was made by President Donald Trump himself, where he encouraged protesters to be shot. Throughout this debacle, Mark Zuckerburg remained silent about the issue, despite a huge backlash from numerous people and groups.

And believe me, this just fueled the fire even more.

As a response to their inaction when it comes to racially-charged comments, a prominent number of big and small advertisers have vowed not to run any Facebook ads in the month of July. Activist groups have been working non-stop for more advertisers to join their call to #StopHateforProfit. Yes, there have been many ad boycotts in the past, but this seems to be the biggest one yet.

Why This Boycott Means Something

Even being a Filipino, you’d be able to recognize names of brands who have agreed to take part in this movement: The North Face, Upwork, Ben & Jerry’s, Rakuten Viber, and probably the biggest fish yet, Verizon Wireless.

To provide context, Facebook was able to to earn a whopping $69.7 billion dollars in 2019, with 46.1% of their 2018 revenue coming from U.S. and Canada alone. From those numbers, you’re probably thinking that this boycott will not do anything in the long run, especially when these brands are planning to resume their ads after July anyway. Great, that’s what other marketers are thinking too.

However, let’s look at the bigger picture.

By participating in the boycott, all these companies are using the reach and influence that they have to spread awareness about Facebook’s problem in addressing racist and discriminatory comments. More than that, these advertisers could very much influence how their customers think and feel. Just by explaining why they refuse to run ads for July, they are already educating people on how dangerous the tech giant could truly be.

As this continues to gain steam, the activist groups and brands who joined the boycott have already made a statement. And now that more advertisers are taking part, this story has continued to gain momentum throughout media and news outlets. The best part is almost all of their content gives context on why this boycott is happening in the first place: Facebook’s inaction towards racially-charged comments. While this won’t put a dent in Facebook’s revenue numbers, this movement has been chipping away at their credibility and reputation.

Plus, the public pressure is probably weighing heavily on Mr. Robot right now. If he’ll finally cave in, we will have to wait and see.

Why We Need a Facebook Ad Boycott in the Philippines

What that in mind, imagine if all the big and small local advertisers could come together to create a Facebook ad boycott in the Philippines. We even have our own, extremely valid concern to rationalize this: the weaponization of Facebook against free speech.

Imagine if the likes of P&G, Unilever, and Jollibee Foods Corporation would actually take a stand against disinformation, troll armies, clone accounts, and other shenanigans, by not running any Facebook ads for a certain time.

Having an ad boycott would be a big step in taking back our virtually-dead democracy that we worked so hard to earn. It’s probably true that the advertising revenue from the Philippines is barely a blip in Facebook’s radar, but a movement like this has a ton of potential to create awareness and educate the masses. Media outlets from all over the world and the country would pick it up and help impart our message about responsible regulation of online platforms.

Then, we could inspire the people and truly make a change. Now that’s what I call a power move.

Unfortunately, this all seems like an unreachable and unrealistic dream.

If someone does start a Facebook ad boycott in the Philippines, we’d probably just have other companies taking advantage of the lighter competition on the platform. I also presume that the gesture wouldn’t be appreciated as much as in the U.S., as most of the population haven’t realized the impact of Facebook has had in our democracy yet. Even so, realistically speaking, the big advertisers here don’t have the guts to take part in something as small as a Facebook ad boycott. I’d literally have to see it to believe it.

But hey, we can always stay hopeful that advertisers will be able to realize that they play a much bigger role in society than they’d like to think. Someday, I know that citizens and advertisers alike can put our differences, fear, and greed aside to slay the Facebook dragon once and for all.

Want to hear more hot takes from zoomers like this one? Take a look at our opinion articles here.

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It seems like every high school in the Philippines has an open secret: teachers are flirting with their own (underage) students… or worse. Don’t even try to call it anything other than what it is. There is a rampant problem of sexual abuse in schools, and it needs to stop.

First off, I would like to start this article with a content warning. I would also appreciate it if you could comment hotlines or organizations our readers can call in the Philippines specifically for child sexual abuse survivors.

Does This Really Happen?

Yes, it does.

If you’re a student, then a teacher from your high school probably entered your mind reading this. I can recall stories of people from different schools talking about it when we were in high school. Furthermore, a quick look into the Twitterverse will reveal that these things do happen in the Philippines.

It’s probably the giant elephant in the faculty room, too. If rumors are already swirling around the student population, then the teachers must already know that something fishy is going on. The question is, why is nobody doing something about it? Are they unaware, or do they choose to turn a blind eye to keep the peace?

The most difficult thing to handle for me is that we didn’t even know how messed up the whole situation was when we were still in high school. I remember hearing about teachers who flirted with their students or asked for their nudes, and no one really batted an eyelash. And for those who are unaware, yes, there were also some accounts of worse sexual activities being done.

Back then, these things would be the punchline of a joke, or just mere gossip to talk about during recess.

But only now, five years after leaving high school, do I realize that I was so vulnerable back then. It literally gives me chills knowing that I walked the halls with sexual predators disguised as teachers. It could’ve been me. Worse, I feel guilty for being so apathetic about this issue back then. I could’ve been friends with a survivor of sexual abuse, but I didn’t know a lot about the issue.

Most of what I know about the effects of sexual abuse in schools, I only knew after I had graduated. Even though I can’t turn back time to fix my mistakes from the past, now that I know better.

This is What Counts as Sexual Abuse

Before anything, let’s define what sexual abuse is. According to The National Child Trauma Stress Network, child sexual abuse includes both touching and non-touching behaviors, and occurs when a child is used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator. While it is often equated with child molestation, there is a semantic issue with using that term, because it is mainly associated with only physical acts. Sexual abuse on the other hand, is not just about using physical force. And that fact is important to high school students who may not know that they’re actually being sexually abused right in front of their eyes.

Let’s work with the definition that we have and see what teachers do that counts as sexual abuse. This list is thanks to the folks at National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

• Sexual touching of a child – clothed or not (remember, even if it’s not meant to be sexual, do not let any person touch you without your consent even if it is your teacher)
• Showing pornography
• Exposing a child to sexual acts
• Forcing a child to take part in sexual acts
• Making a child undress or touch someone else
• Making a child masturbate
• Forcing a child to take part in sexual activities or online conversations

If you’re a sexual predator reading this list and didn’t see your actions above, you’re still not off the hook. Child sexual exploitation refers to giving a child anything (usually money or food) in return for sexual activities. On the other hand, child grooming is when a predator “prepares” a child for sexual activity later on, usually when they’re of legal age. When grooming a child, predators may also establish an emotional connection with them and their loved ones.

If that didn’t get you, then know that you’re a pedophile if you’re attracted to people who have not reached puberty yet. Needless to say, that is nothing to be proud of… and it’s illegal. In the Philippines, sexual activity with someone under 18 constitutes child abuse and exploitation.

Honestly, the fact that there are so many types of child abuse is disgusting. How many people on earth had to be preyed on for these distinctive terms to pop up?

What Happens to Children Sexual Abuse Survivors?

Sexual abuse is often associated with anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, and self-blame. It is not uncommon for survivors to develop body issues and eating disorders as they grow older. They are also prone to suicidal thoughts, and may lead to self-harm. Unfortunately, the effects stay with them until they’re adults with many of them suffering from complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

What Can We Do?

Listen, this isn’t journalism. I am no expert on this deep matter and this article is something that I just had to get off my system after hearing some disturbing news about my high school. With that said, to students who have experienced or witnessed sexual abuse in schools, I want to link you to some resources instead.

If you’re a student who feels like they’ve been sexually abused, you can refer to this article to know some things you can do to help you through this. Know that legal action is an available option when you’re ready.

If you’re a friend of someone who was sexually abused, you can take a look at this article to learn how you can support them. Although this one is about sexual assault, the “how you can help” section is pretty applicable to someone who has gone through sexual abuse. Lastly, this article about traumatic events with input from counselors goes into more detail about how to go about it.

Finding online resources addressed to sexual abuse victims and their friends is shockingly difficult. I now realize that there is a need for us to talk about this issue openly to children. We shouldn’t just be talking to adults about sexual abuse in schools. Hey, children are the ones going through this, and they’re always online too. They need to know what they can and should do during moments of vulnerability. Yes, it is a heavy topic to discuss, but we should also do our part in destigmatizing it. In that way, the survivors would be able to feel less guilt and shame talking about their experience.

A Word to Parents

Parents, I have nothing to ask from you but to please believe your child. Whether they themselves are the survivors or not, please believe that what they’re saying is true. Looking at them like they’re crazy for bringing up sexual abuse in school is a slap in the face. If you must know, many child abuse cases go unreported, and the fear of not being believed by others may be a huge reason why.

As I’ve mentioned, these things happen, even in gender-exclusive schools. Even to boys. And yes, the sex of the teacher doesn’t matter; a predator is a predator.

It’s difficult, but please discuss these things with your child, even before you see signs of sexual abuse. Help with destigmatizing the issue. And to the parents who have developed an emotional connection with a teacher accused of sexual abuse, please do not take their side over a student’s. You do not want to be on the wrong side in this one.

Lastly, be an ally to students. This is mostly applicable for private schools, but know that you can always make an impact by speaking out with other parents about this. The school will probably listen to you more than their students.

A Word to Teachers

Teachers, you have no idea how much students look up to you. In a way, you set the tone of how the school is run. This is why your silence on the matter is pretty appalling. If you choose to dismiss the rumors you hear about your colleagues, then the students will probably stay silent too. We know you know. So for the good of everyone, stop normalizing this behavior and use your voice! Confront who you need to confront.

Also, in the off-chance a student opens up to you about your colleague, believe them, and do something about it. Here is a resource to get you started.

So in short, please, I ask you not to protect your colleagues. More than anyone, you’d probably know the right people to talk to so that things would actually change.

A Word to Schools Who Protect Predators

Here is a great educational piece on teachers sexually abusing students. And another one! But do you really need articles to know what the right thing to do is? It’s simple: stop putting the school’s reputation over your students’ welfare. Stop hiding these sexual abuse cases. Walk your talk.

If you don’t, I promise you that it’s going to bite you in the ass one day. The kids today know better.

I am encouraging everyone who is comfortable enough to share their thoughts about sexual abuse in schools on Twitter with the hashtag, #MySchoolHiresPredators.

Pride Month may be ending, but knowing the basics about LGBTQ+ community is a must. Read more here! And you never know what you’re gonna miss on Zoomers Corner, so make sure to sign up for our newsletter.

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Apparently, there are some things that are more important than a deadly virus with no cure. It’s just corona after all. To say that the average Filipino has been completely disappointed with how coronavirus in the Philippines has been addressed is an understatement. It’s become the “new normal” to wake up every morning to bad news. And BTW, we are far, far away from flattening the curve.

1. Anti-Terror Bill

Let’s get right into this controversial item. For some reason, a bill that threatens the very foundation of our democracy was certified urgent by the President himself… during a pandemic? Despite numerous reassurances that it won’t be weaponized to silence critics and dissenters, we don’t have to look back too far from history to see where this is going. When countless lawyers themselves have stated why this is problematic, then you know something’s wrong.

2. Shutting Down ABS-CBN

In a country where not a lot of people have access to the internet, free TV reigns supreme. Which is why it is particularly concerning when one of the only two major television networks in the country was shut down under shaky grounds. ABS-CBN has been accused of siding against the government, which is why we can’t help but raise an eyebrow with this decision. The hearings to get the network back on-air are still ongoing, but honestly, it’s pretty stressful to watch.

UPDATE (06/30/2020): Today, the National Telecommunications Commission has also issued a cease and desist order against Sky Direct and their TV Plus Channels. Press freedom whomst’ve?

3. Convicting Maria Ressa

Another press freedom issue in the Philippines is the arrest of reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr., and Maria Ressa, CEO of online media platform Rappler. In a high-profile case that was filed on the basis of a technicality (a typo!), the message was sent loud and clear. If you dare criticize the leaders, everything will be done to put you in jail.

4. Arresting Normal Citizens

In a bizarre turn of events, Ronnel Mas, a teacher from Zambales, was arrested for threatening President Rodrigo Duterte in an online post. Mas jokingly offered ₱50 million to the person who would kill the President. Later, he was arrested on charges for inciting sedition. In Cebu, members of progressive and youth groups were arrested for protesting against the Anti-Terror Bill. The internet blew up with fury, demanding justice for these arrests using the #ReleaseCebu7 hashtag. Six jeepney drivers were also arrested for staging a peaceful protest in Caloocan for simply asking the jeepneys to continue operation. All of these things happened while NCR Police Office Chief Major General Debold Sinas came off unscathed for holding a birthday bash with other policemen and definitely not observing quarantine protocols.

UPDATE (06/30/2020): We can now add #FreePride20 to the list. LGBTQ Filipinos staged a protest for Pride while observing social distancing, but got arrested for literally no valid reason.

5. Removing Jeepneys

Okay some may call this a reach, but for some reason, the government has always had it out for our jeepneys, or jeeps. This prominent mode of public transportation for Filipinos has been noticeably missing in the vehicles allowed to run during general community quarantine (GCQ). Despite there being ways to avoid virus transmission in jeepneys, they are still not here. Here is a great article that tells us about the issue of jeep/jeepney phaseout that threatens the jobs of many drivers.

6. Improving Infrastructure

Despite national debt being at an all-time high, we continue to take loans from other countries. And with a lack of transparency on where all this money is going, we are hesitant to believe that it’s meant to address the pandemic. Just days ago, we signed new loans from Japan to build roads and bridges. Even if they are an investment for the future, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth knowing how deep we are in debt with little to no solutions that address the pandemic.

7. Collecting Tax from Everybody and their Mothers, except POGOs

POGO is short for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator, which refers to an online gambling company catered to foreigners, but operates in the country. While Filipinos only make up very little of their workforce, they owe ₱50 billion in unpaid taxes. Yet, the government does not want to go after them, and instead, wants to impose a “Netflix tax” law instead.

And netizens had quite the scare a week ago when the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) released a memorandum that everyone who sells online had to have their business registered for tax purposes. To give them credit, they have made the registration process easier and clarified that you don’t have to pay tax if you’re not earning ₱250K a year. Maybe don’t encourage people to go out in this pandemic to have their online businesses registered first, though?

And again, where are all the country’s loans going to?!

8. Creating Fake Facebook Accounts to Plant Evidence

It’s no secret that there are troll farms or troll armies in the Philippines. They are literally paid to praise the government and fight dissenters online. So imagine everyone’s shock when a lot of Anti-Terror Bill critics woke up to new Facebook accounts being made under their name. With how vague the bill is, these trolls can post a threatening message under your name to get you arrested! Yes, the victims of this cyber attack were mostly people who spoke up against the bill online.

With how quickly these accounts spread, there’s no question that this had funding behind it. Facebook, you have a lot of explaining to do.

So if you’re wondering why we still can’t beat the curve despite having one of the strictest and longest lockdown periods in the world (without mass testing), here’s your answer. Maybe coronavirus was the perfect excuse to do things they wouldn’t have gotten away with before. And if I wanted to stay in power so badly, why would I want to beat COVID-19?

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