Topic 1: LGBT

In the 21st century, discrimination and inequality is still a huge problem not just in our country but the whole
world. People around the world face violence and inequality because of who they love, how they look, or who they are.
Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral aspects of our selves and should never lead to discrimination or
abuse.

LGBT is still an issue in most countries especially in a conservative country like the Philippines. But what is LGBT?
LGBT is a community of people who refer themselves to as lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. Actually, it is not
just LGBT, it is LGBTTQQIAAP.

Up until today, members of this community still face constant issues of being judged and unaccepted by people
with traditional sexual orientation. Our society do not perceive bisexuals, gays, lesbians and transgenders as a norm
because it contradicts their beliefs.

I just want to share a line from Anne Hathaway’s speech, there is this myth wherein gayness orbits around
straightness, transgender orbits around cisgender and other races orbits around whiteness. According to her, this myth
is wrong but is too real for too many. I agree from what she said. Majority of the people around the world oppose the
existence of LGBT because of their religion and because they regard this as a mental illness in which it is actually not.
Because of this, some individuals prefer to hide their identity than to come out due to the fear of being judged and
rejected by the society.

It is saddening that the LGBT community still has to struggle and fight for real equality. It pains me that a law has
to be made just so that they will be able to express who they really are. I believe that we are all the same. Each and
every one of us deserve to be respected and treated equally despite of our differences. Each and every one of us are all
human beings who deserve equal opportunities in life. Each and every one of us has the right to love and to be
loved and accepted for who we are. Let us stop being ignorant and narrow-minded about this subject. Together
hand in hand, let us build a better world where we can express who we truly are and where we can finally say that we
have achieved equality. Thank you.

Topic 2: No Homework Policy

As we all know, a bill which is the No Homework Policy had been proposed the past month. It became the talk of
the town and up ‘til now people are still debating whether this is good or bad for the students.

About a month ago, House Deputy Speaker Evelina Escudero filed House Bill (HB) No. 3611, which seeks to
remove homework as a requirement and have Kinder to Grade 12 students do academic activities solely within school
premises. The bill also seeks to prohibit students from taking textbooks home in order to lighten the physical burden of
schoolchildren who often have to carry heavy bags due to schoolwork that has to be done beyond the school. This will
apply to Kinder to Grade 6 students. While Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas also filed HB No. 3883, which seeks
to eliminate homework on weekends for all elementary and high school students.

To be honest, when I heard this news it really made me happy. I support this No Homework Policy. As a student,
I never really liked home works especially a pile of one. As some of you may have known, I live in Dasmariñas. Every
weekday, my school service picks me at 5:30 in the morning and after classes I arrive at our house at 6:00 in the evening,
sometimes even 7 if there’s traffic. Because of these home works, I always sleep late and do not have time to relax and
refresh myself. Sometimes, I even sacrifice the time to hang out with my family just to finish my school works on the
weekend. I’m also the type of person who is really bad at managing stress. I tend to cry and breakdown a lot before I get
my work done which is why I don’t like home works very much. However, I also do believe that it has its benefits like it
gives students the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom and the opportunity to become competent.
But I still think it would be beneficial for us if this was approved. Take for example Finland. Finnish Students have little to
no homework, spend shorter hours in the classroom, and have lengthy school breaks yet they consistently rank high in
science, math, and reading.