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.

So you’ve decided to take off your toga and suit up for your first real job. You are now officially part of the workforce, and it’s just a matter of going from “unemployed” to “employed”. It’s a tough journey ahead, but it’s just a matter of knowing how to maneuver your way to success! Here are Zoomers Corner’s handy tips for fresh graduates seeking a job.

Don’t: Compare your pace with others.

Job hunting isn’t a race. I remember when I was job-hunting for the first time, the pressure to find a job kept getting higher and higher as more of my classmates got signed to a workplace. Looking back, I shouldn’t have felt that pressure because it really did nothing except increase my anxiety.

Just because all your friends are getting job interviews left and right while you aren’t, doesn’t mean that you should feel bad about yourself! Rejection is perfectly normal and an avenue for growth.

Instead of wallowing in sadness, take the time to improve your resume, brush up on interview questions, and send out feelers.

Do not let anyone else’s success dictate your pace. If your privilege permits it, take the time you need for the job hunting process. Your only motivation should be to find “the right job” ⁠— a job that makes sense for whatever your life priorities (e.g. wealth, work-life balance, skill development) may be.

Do: Compare company and job offers with trusted friends.

You are not an island in the job-hunting process. One of the most important tips for fresh graduates seeking a job is having a support system that includes your closest friends.

Creating those group chats specifically to discuss all things job hunting-related can help you practically and emotionally. One group chat I had was filled with my high school friends from different majors and colleges.

We had sent links to job openings that the others might have interest in, gave feedback on each other’s resumes and LinkedIn profiles, released our emotions after every interview, and yes, compared job offers.

Listen, I know there is still a taboo on discussing salaries and all that jazz. But as long as everyone in your group is secure with themselves and comfortable with the idea, I don’t see why you shouldn’t.

It’s extremely helpful especially if you’re applying for similar roles in the same industry. Do not cheat yourself by settling for a job that undercompensates!

Don’t: Mass-send job applications.

It’s tempting to just send out an application to numerous companies. But what you’re actually doing is reducing your chances of getting hired by not taking the time to craft out a specific and tailored application for every single one of them.

Remember, you only have one shot to make a good first impression.

These companies probably sift through numerous application forms, and if you just send out a generic resume and cover letter, you won’t get the chance to stand out. Make it feel like you are really fit for the job by addressing all the things they listed in their job opening.

Do: Personalize every job application.

You can’t be lazy with the job-hunting process. Recognize that every job opening has different priorities. Let’s say that you’re applying for the role of Social Media Assistant in two companies.

Company A might prioritize someone who can write social media posts and create visuals, while Company B might prioritize someone who can reply to customer inquires.

Having seen both job openings, you decide to send the same application for them. However, if you only focused on how proficient you are in crafting social media content in your resume, then you just lost your chance to get a job in Company B. They had specifically looked for a person who is great with interpersonal communication, which your resume does not address.

Take the extra 40 minutes to add stuff and rearrange some things in your resume. Then another 20 minutes to craft a cover letter specifically for that job position. Remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Don’t: Underestimate the power of social media.

The internet is your best friend. There are numerous Facebook groups where employers constantly post job listings. Just search “Philippines jobs” under Groups and you’ll see most of them.

What’s great is that there are Facebook groups that cater to a specific industry like marketing and content writing, for example. There is also a high chance that your school has an online group dedicated to job listings. Ask alumni you know if something like that exists for your school!

If you’re looking for a job in advertising, most agencies use the hashtag #MayOpeningBa on Twitter to find potential hires.

And of course, LinkedIn is the place to be when it comes to anything job-related. Not only is it a great networking app where you could connect with people from other industries, but you can also find lots of openings here!

From my experience, it’s one of the most user-friendly job listing sites out there, so make sure to use it to the fullest.

Do: Create a strong brand for yourself.

“Who are you?”

Depending on the HR officer in charge of the hiring process, you have a limited window of opportunity to answer that question. With that, you have to create a “brand” for yourself, as cringworthy as it sounds.

If you look at my LinkedIn profile, the professional objective in my resume, and my cover letter, you’d always see the words “passionate” and “loyal” in there somewhere. Those are the qualities that I want to stress to potential employers that help them remember who I am.

So what is your “thing” ⁠— are you the proactive go-getter, the hardworking leader, or the methodical artist? Here are some powerful adjectives to help fuel your brain when determining your brand.

There are loads of online tips for fresh graduates seeking a job in listing sites like Jobstreet, Kalibrr, Linkedin, and Glassdoor.

But the most important thing I can impart is to fill out your profile cleanly and completely. Make sure you look good in your professional headshot, there are no typos in your profile, and all the pertinent information are there.

When you apply through some of these websites, they send your resume along with your profile to the employer. So make sure everything is in tip-top shape!

By the way, part of maintaining your professional image is cleaning your social media profiles.

Most companies do look you up online as part of the process. You won’t win over anyone with your drunk party photos from college or your expletive-laced rants on Twitter, so make sure to adjust your privacy settings accordingly.

Don’t: Settle for a company.

If it doesn’t feel right, then it’s not right! Settling doesn’t mean turning down every job offer that doesn’t fit all the items in your “perfect job” criteria. I retain my position that there is no such thing as a “perfect job” especially for your first one.

But I encourage you to heavily consider turning down an offer that goes against something that you consider mandatory for a job. It’d be good to breakdown and prioritize your needs and wants in a list.

If a job offer doesn’t fulfill one of your needs, ask yourself again if you think that it’s really a need for you. If the answer is still yes, then don’t go for it.

Again, this goes back to setting your own pace when it comes to the job-hunting process. As much as possible, try to keep external factors from clouding your judgement.

This may come from a family member telling you to take the job, the company setting a deadline for you to make a decision, or your insecurity from seeing your friends working already.

Do: Search only for companies that fulfill your needs.

Everyone’s priorities are different. When I had first gone job-hunting, I wanted a company with high salary but needed one with good benefits.

Even if I feel like we shouldn’t be picky about salary for an entry-level job, it is a deal-breaker for those who either want to live independently, or have a family to support. The usual trade-off would be the lack of a work-life balance, which is something that I know I needed.

Real talk: looking for a job would be easier if you had an idea where you want to be in the short and long-term.

Nevermind that it’s a common job interview question. But in this cruel world we live in, your lifestyle heavily depends on your job.

I had refused a really damn good offer for a managerial position as a fresh graduate. It had crossed everything off my list, but I knew that I couldn’t push through with it because I wanted to start something on the side (thanks, Shark Tank).

With how fast-paced the job is, I knew that I just wouldn’t have the time to do what I wanted.

So what does it mean for you?

I would have saved some effort and transportation money by not applying for that position in the first place. Even if I knew that the environment was fast-paced when I had applied, I still pushed through with it anyways.

It’s normal to be trigger-happy when it comes to sending out all these job offers. Hey, it’s excusable right now since we’re in a pandemic!

But if you’re really applying with zero, as in zero, intent of joining a company: just don’t go for it. You’d just be wasting your time, and the employer’s time.

Thankfully, you’re just one Google search away from looking at employer reviews.

With a few clicks, you can gauge whether or not a company is a great working environment, if they compensate fairly, and what benefits they offer. If the company isn’t big enough, one thing I do is look up their website and the owners’ social media profiles to get a feel of how the place is run.

But in essence, do your company research well! Make sure you’re a fit for whatever you’re applying for.

These are just some of our tips for fresh graduates seeking for a job! The whole job-hunting process is a really exciting part of every zoomer’s life, and it can even be a positive experience as long as you’re well-prepared for it. We wish you luck, and we hope to see you employed soon!

Questions? Agree or disagree? Any tips for our new zoomers entering the workforce? Shoot us a comment below!

Still on that post-graduation high? Boy, do we have some life lessons for you! For more advice and tips, don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Twitter and Instagram.

Featured Image: Ketut Subiyanto

The post Honest Do’s and Don’ts for Fresh Graduates Hunting for Jobs (2020) appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Rags to riches, kabit confrontation scenes & “she’s alive all along” — Filipino teleserye tropes can be cringey AF. But you have to admit, the TV shows we have wouldn’t be as iconic without them! And if we’re being honest, we actually love watching all these cliches play out.

Here’s the Zoomers Corner-certified list of our favorite teleserye tropes from ABS-CBN primetime dramas since we sorta, kinda miss them already.

1. There’s always a long-lost relative.

Luke, he is definitely not your father! More often than not in these teleseryes, the main character is usually *gasp* adopted. Bonus points if they are bastard child, or a result of infidelity.

2. Someone always says goodbye to poverty.

Ah, the classic “rags to riches” story. A teleserye just isn’t complete without it, right? This trope is sometimes to tied to the first one, as the main character realizes that they are actually an heir to a multi-million empire. More often than not, their long-lost parents are really loaded. I need this kind of luck in my life, please!

3. Someone cheats on somebody else…

You gotta love the irony of a heavily religious country loving kabit/mistress stories so much. Out of all the teleserye tropes we have in the list, this is the one that’s 100% without a shadow of a doubt, going to happen. Water is wet, grass is green, and someone’s going to be an unfaithful spouse. It’s just the law of nature.

4. … and there will be fights. Lots of them.

Oh my god, this is my personal favorite. If there’s anything that Filipino television does so well, it’s all these confrontation scenes where the wife has had enough of the mistress and goes after her. There’s at least one quotable quote in every fight that involves a mistress and a vengeful wife. The only thing better is if the women go after the cheating jerkface, too. But yes, please inject more of these into my system!

5. Siblings just cannot be friends.

Sibling love is basically disallowed in a teleserye; it’s just not entertaining enough. What makes us reach for our popcorn though, is jealous brothers or sisters of similar ages fighting over something — their parents’ affection, the family’s estate, the love of somebody. Whatever it is, you know it’s going to be good!

6. She’s dead, but not really.

Does anybody even believe in teleserye “death” scenes anymore? Well, I do… and the best part is getting so blindsided when the allegedly dead person rises from the ashes and comes back for some good ol’ revenge!

7. Someone’s getting kidnapped.

Teleserye villains are a whole ‘nother level of evil. You wouldn’t want to mess with them unless you want to end up in a white van with sketchy people. How do they have all these connections anyway?

8. There’s an unexpected pregnancy waiting to happen.

I can’t wait for the time where “birth control” makes its way to our list of Filipino teleserye tropes. Why these characters don’t know the concept of a morning-after pill or a condom, I will never know.

9. If there’s a party, there’s gonna be a fight.

There’s something oddly riveting about rich people in ball gowns and tuxedos screaming at each other. Some of the most iconic fights in teleseryes always happen in front of a big crowd at someone’s birthday or anniversary. And a drink being poured on the villain is just the perfect icing on the cake!

10. There’s no such thing as a happy wedding.

There are three sweet words that everyone likes hearing in a TV wedding: “itigil ang kasal”. Everyone knows that the only way to get married peacefully in a teleserye is by eloping! If you do a church wedding like all these fools, someone will always come out to interrupt the ceremony. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

I know there are a lot of people who rag on Filipino teleserye tropes, but honestly, they’re pretty great when executed right. Besides, it’s not like shows from other countries don’t have their own set of cliches either. It’s just a matter of whether or not they make sense to the character and the story.

Did we miss a teleserye trope? Let us know in the comments below!

In the mood to watch something soapy after viewing these teleserye tropes? Check out our recommendation for the sexy Spanish drama you should be watching! Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Twitter to keep yourself updated on all things zoomer-related.

The post Top 10 Things that Always Happen in Filipino Teleseryes appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Congratulations to the new batch of “gradwaiting” and graduating students! Now, it’s time for you to face the real world. The post-graduation life is both confusing and overwhelming, but the lessons you’ll learn are endless. It’s been a year since I graduated, but I’ve learned more about the world in the past months than I have in the four years that I’ve been a student. Here are some lessons and tips for graduates in the Philippines that I want to share from the experiences of both myself and my friends.

1. Rest before you find a job.

If your parents aren’t kicking you out of your house or forcing you to get a job, take a break. Not everyone has the privilege of being able to rest after college. So if you do, take the chance! You will thank yourself later.

It’s tempting to go job-hunting when you’re worried about competition, but rest doesn’t come so easily as a working adult anymore. I’ve heard many friends tell me they regret not taking a break after college because they were instantly burnt out after they landed a job.

Remember: life isn’t a race, it’s a marathon.

2. Finding a job isn’t instant.

When I was a college senior, I really thought it would be easy to secure a job. But obviously, I was wrong. There are a lot of things you’d have to do, like prepare a killer resume and/or portfolio, filter through jobs and companies, send out e-mails, and ace job interviews.

As a fresh graduate, you’d find a lot of jobs that is beyond your experience level. Reality is, there are also many companies who will not get back to your job application. These things delayed how long the job-hunting process for me. Luckily, the internet is full of tips for graduates in the Philippines that will ensure that you get that dream job.

I was lucky enough that everything only took me a month and a half. For some, it took three months or even more. If you’re going to rest after college, make sure you’re realistic with the timetable that you set when it pertains to job-hunting.

3. You will meet people who are so different from you.

This one is kind of obvious, but you won’t really realize how true it is until you’re out there. When you’re in school, you more or less grow up thinking the same as your classmates and friends.

However, once you get out of that bubble, you will inevitably meet people who have different opinions and mindsets as yours. There will be people who will make you think: what kind of messed-up environment did they grow up in?

You thought you had the patience and tolerance to deal with those people? We’ll see.

4. Finding friends isn’t easy.

My college friends and I would talk about this a lot when we first started. In school, there are many opportunities to make new friends through classes, and extracurricular activities.

However, it’s kind of tough to create new connections after college because you’d have to willingly put your foot forward. You’d have to put some effort in finding people to talk to, which may be an introvert’s worst nightmare.

On top of my head, you can meet people through Tinder, mutual friends, workout classes, or work. So there are options, but no one’s going to force you to be friends with anyone anymore except yourself.

5. Doing vices was a phase for many people.

College was a playground for experimentation. For many of us, it was the “wildest” phase of our young lives where we were into sex, drugs, smoking, and alcohol.

Now that we have bigger problems to take care, those things have taken a backseat. Most of my friends who doubled down on vices during college eventually grew out of them.

Of course some of us still do engage in them, but don’t be surprised if your lasinggero friend isn’t always up for blackout nights anymore. Oh, and just to make it clear, we don’t condone the use of any illegal drugs here. Please stop if you are.

6. College friends are forever… or not.

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Post-graduation is a great test of that.

I’ve already drifted apart from friends whom I thought I was going to be close with forever. But I’ve also forged even deeper connections with a few of the people I met in college even when we started working.

There is definitely some effort involved in maintaining the friendships that you have, so it’s up to you to decide which ones are worth fighting for.

7. Everyone has their own lives.

In college, it was easier to be there for your friends when you saw each other regularly.

But in the real world, it’s sometimes hard to find time and energy to be there for each other.

As you’re making all of these adjustments in life, it’s hard not to get caught up in your own little world. There will come a point where you’ll think you’re a crappy friend, but the guilt is perfectly normal. You can’t be there for everyone all the time, and not everyone can be there for you all the time too.

The important thing is the effort you exert in finding time for each other, because that alone speaks volumes.

8. College did not prepare you for the important stuff.

I can tell you about some communication theories and frameworks that I learned in college, but I’d be lying if I said I knew how taxes worked.

The post-graduate life has taught me that I was clueless about a lot of important, real-life stuff. For instance, knowing how to apply for SSS, PAG-IBIG, PhilHealth, TIN, and NBI Clearance was a task I needed to learn on my own. Back in August, I was involved in a car accident, but had no idea how insurance worked. Also, don’t even get me started on bills.

One of the most important tips for graduates in the Philippines is to do your research as early as now!

Looking back, I wish I had some sort of guidance on how to go about them. And I’m sure there will be more surprise life lessons to come.

9. You can’t take away the school from the graduate.

Unfortunately, you will be judged a lot by the school you graduated from, especially if it’s relatively well-known.

There are a lot of times when I’ve heard I only act a certain way because I came from UP. Which is a slap in the face, because I am more than my school. That’s why I’ve decided to always refrain from telling people where I went to college unless it’s relevant to the topic.

Whether you like it or not, you represent your school and your school represents you too.

10. Priorities change.

I remember being quite ambitious after I had just graduated from college. There were big dreams that I wanted to follow. But shit (that I’m probably gonna blog about soon) happened, and now, I just want to be happy.

When I was still in college, I always planned to work in the developmental sector through an NGO. However, when I had to go the corporate route because NGOs wouldn’t hire fresh graduates, I realized that I needed to work on myself and my hard skills first.

Truth is, most of us don’t know what the hell we want in life. Because of that, the things we find important will definitely change.

We will all go through certain events that will lead us to constantly rethink the things we hold dear and the path we ought to take.

11. People change.

It’s hard to accept, but you know it’s gonna happen.

The people around you will not be the same people they were in college. Everyone will face different obstacles and triumphs that will shape the way they think, feel, and behave. Sometimes, you won’t even recognize who they are anymore.

But it’s not just them. You will change, too. It’s human nature so don’t try to fight it.

However, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Most of the time, people change for the better.

With everything have been said, I hope I didn’t scare you too much. Because trust me, life after college can be difficult, exhausting, and downright mean. But it’s also exciting and magical. This is the beginning of your lifelong journey to becoming your own person.

Once again, congratulations to the 2020 graduates! May you show the world how beautiful zoomers can be.

Got more tips for graduates in the Philippines? Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to share the post to your graduating friends!

Make sure to find more pieces of advice for zoomers here if you enjoyed reading through our tips for graduates in the Philippines.

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The post 11 Lessons for College Graduates I Wish I Knew Before appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

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.

Featured Image: Kristina Flour on Unsplash Polina Zimmeran on Pexels

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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?

Featured Image: Marfil Graganza Aquino on Pexels

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Okay, Boomers and Baby Boomers: we’re turning the tables on you — you’re the reason why we’re living in a hellhole right now. If it weren’t for your dated values and submissiveness, then we’d probably be living in a better world.

If you think the world sucks, take a look at the people running the world.

Well first off, how about we start with the fact that most of the leaders in the world are either from the Boomer Generation or from Gen X, the sneaky little generation who precedes millennials but are also to blame? Some of the powerful men ruling right now include United States’ Donald Trump, Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and of course, the Philippines’ He-Who-Must-Be-Named (literally, because of the Anti-Terror Bill). What do they all have in common besides the fact that they’re men? They are all part of your generation.

If you live in one of those countries I mentioned and you do support your leader, then you really have no right to think lowly of the other ones. One is not better than the other, and trying to play that game is like deciding between eating cat piss or horse manure for lunch.

They shove their old-fashioned values down our throats where it’s actually become questionable if their decisions were actually made using a brain. And unfortunately, this has led to more chaos than anything. The only response they know are ad-hominem attacks, underhanded diversion tactics, and violence. All this while suppressing the voices of the minorities, critics, and dissenters.

You settle for scraps. We don’t.

There was this really heartbreaking Twitter video that I couldn’t finish because it hit too close to home. It shows a girl named Marissa, who couldn’t hold back her crying because her mother kept on telling her that it was hopeless to protest, and that she couldn’t change the world. Do you really think we’d want to spend our time fighting for basic human rights, when they should have been given to everyone in the first place? This is just one of many instances that shows how people from your generation are hammering us with the idea that we should just sit down and eat our food. Our idealism is being scoffed at for being unrealistic when history has shown that what we’re asking for is within reach.

As a Filipino, I actually don’t know where you get the audacity to tell me that collective action is useless when the most important we literally overthrew a dictator as a nation. Look, I get that for most of y’all, it’s your maternal instinct kicking in. You tell us these things because you’re looking out for us. But why not try a softer approach that doesn’t involve destroying what’s little left of our hope? Sometimes, whether or you hate it or not, we actually have a point. And speaking of…

You can’t accept that you’re wrong.

The #HijaAko hashtag trended in the Philippines due to a controversy where 19-year old Frankie Pangilinan, or Kakie for short, spoke against an ill-advised, now-deleted Facebook post by the national police that told women to wear less revealing clothes unless they want to be raped. Kakie fought back by accurately saying that rapists should be to blame for rape, and not the survivors. Of course, heterosexual male boomer Ben Tulfo tells Kakie that she doesn’t know what she’s saying, as he condescendingly calls her hija: a term older Filipinos use to refer to a little girl.

Unfortunately, this is one of the annoying problems that we zoomers face every day. You don’t seem to treat us seriously just because we’re younger than you, and I say this as a working adult who has already graduated college. Sometimes, older people look at me and think that I’m crazy for opposing them even if I do bring up valid points. This is most likely a trait predominant in Asian families, but I can’t get one rebuttal in without being told that I’m fighting back (sumasagot ka na ngayon?). Like, no. I’m merely disagreeing with you and telling you why. Let me speak!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned though, it’s that when a boomer resorts to using age as an excuse to end the argument, it means you have won

Your traditions don’t hold up anymore.

Please retire the line of thinking that the way your generation perceives the world is how everybody else does too. The “issues” you regarded as taboo during your time are most likely just normal for us now. Just take a look at the shows being broadcasted in your television and streaming platforms, then you’ll see what I mean.

It’s normal for homosexuals to be in a public relationship. It’s normal for women to get abortions. It’s normal for teenagers to have sex. It’s normal for women to raise a baby by herself. It’s normal for people to smoke. It’s normal to get into open relationships. It’s normal to be atheist. It’s normal to get into an interracial relationship. It’s normal. And the only people making them abnormal is you!

The only reason why they get depressed is because of judgmental and pretentious members of society who think that their morals and virtues are spotless. If you’re a Catholic or a Christian, then even better! Can you stop using Bible verses to rationalize your hateful behavior? You’re not much different from the people who partook in Jesus’ suffering. Here’s a reality check for you: God told His people not to use His name in vain, which in simple terms, means that you should not use God in arguments to justify actions and words that go against His teachings of love.

Stop dragging God’s name through the mud, ya weirdo. I went to a Jesuit high school for twelve years, so I think I know what I’m talking about.

So I know my tone wasn’t particularly friendly here, but I grew up in an environment where I was discouraged to speak up. Regardless, I still do not feel comfortable saying my opinion in front of boomers and baby boomers, because time and time again, they wouldn’t listen. And that’s all I want you to do: listen. It just so happens that most of you don’t listen when we say it calmly.

If your kid or student isn’t telling you these things, then it’s probably because you’ve groomed them into submissive, obedient members of society. Is that something you should be proud of? I don’t know. But if the world is still alive (no thanks to climate change) in forty years, I don’t want my grandchildren thinking that we just went with the status quo.

And to all my fellow Gen Z folks & zoomers reading this, I hope you become better than me and continue standing your ground.

Featured Image: Alev Takil on Unsplash

The post Boomers and Gen X are Ruining the World: An Open Letter appeared first on Zoomers Corner.