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Dubbed ‘Salot ng Lipunan’ for Being Gay, This Champion Shares Inspiring Graduation Story

Whether we like it or not, there exists a part of society that makes us judge others based on their appearance or their gender orientation or things that we believe make them different from us.

Recently, a young graduate shared his inspiring graduation story of how he struggled with hurtful words from people who judged him because he’s gay. Many called him ‘salot ng lipunan’ just because he was gay – and a lot believed a college degree is not appropriate for him because he’d most likely end up in a parlor, anyway!

Photo credit: Roniel D. Alupit (Savannah Gonzales) / Facebook

Roniel D. Alupit (Savannah Gonzales) lamented in a post on Facebook:

“Mahirap Ang maging bakla pero mas mahirap Ang baklang Walang pangarap!”

Student + Beauty Queen + Make up Artist + Performer + Leader + Dancer + Anak + Kapatid + BAKLA = Syntax Error 😕😞😵😢

Is this not enough?

He shared how he was condemned by society for being gay, angrily called a ‘bayot’ (gay) with the negative connotations that came with the word.

He was often told that gays have no place in heaven, that gays are really just looking for money so they can support their men or that he might not finish his studies because he will just look for guys, that he does not have a right to be gay because he has a big masculine body, and that he didn’t deserve to join in pageants because he’s fat.

Instead of letting these people bring him down, however, Savannah simply enjoyed being gay and found an ally in the school’s LGBT community.

To my Beloved LGBT Community don’t let the barriers stop you, there is nothing wrong for being ambitious as long as it has a positive effect on you. Let the positivity spread not just in our community but to the whole universe we are the real Unicorns 🦄 that hold the the spirit of love, passion and dedication we are all queens keep the fire burning let’s us show to the world to the universe rather that we are confidently beautiful with a heart and we dont deserve to be rejected! Hail Queens 💕

As he thanked the people who were instrumental in helping him find success in his studies, he also enumerated the many achievements and awards he garnered throughout the years. Yes, he might be bayot but this bayot has dreams and plans for the future – and he was able to achieve a lot in his college years despite a lot of people putting him down!

As Savannah graduates from Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in Music Arts Physical Education and Health from Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, his story has also inspired many netizens.

Photo credit: Roniel D. Alupit (Savannah Gonzales) / Facebook

Here are his impressive achievements:

Academics

  • Dean’s Lister
  • Montagne Scholar
  • Socio-Cultural Scholar
  • Pama Scholar

Leadership

  • Physical Educators Guild of Gensan, President
  • Young Educators Society, Member
  • Young Educators Society, P.I.O
  • PEHMA Society, 1st year Rep.
  • PEHMA Society , Treasurer
  • PEHMA Society , Member
  • LikasTeatro, Member
  • Sarimanok Dance Troupe , Vice-President
  • Sarimanok Dance Troupe , Vice-President
  • Sarimanok Dance Troupe , Member Confederation of Clubs, Socio-Cultural
  • Colleges of Education, Treasure
  • Colleges of Education, HIYAS HEAD
  • Montagne Club, P.I.O
  • Batch Hiraya Course Rep.

Socio Cultural

  • Technolympics Awardee7
  • Outstanding Member of the year
  • Outstanding Performer of the year
  • CHAMPION, Folk Dance, Intramurals 2016
  • CHAMPION , Folk Dance, NDEA Meet 2016
  • CHAMPION Folk Dance, Local Prisaa 2016
  • CHAMPION, Folk Dance, Local Prisaa 2017
  • CHAMPION, Karadyan, University Week 2017
  • CHAMPION, Folk Dance, NDEA Meet
  • CHAMPION, Folk Dance, Local Prisaa 2018
  • CHAMPION, Kaadyan, University Week 2018
  • CHAMPION, Folk Dance, Regional Prisaa CHAMPION, Folk Dance, Intramurals 2018
  • CHAMPION, Barrio Fiesta, University Week
  • 1st Runner Up Hiphop, CEHS Acquaintance
  • 1ST Runner Up , Bario Fiesta, University Week
  • 1st Runner Up, Campus Patrol, UWeek
  • 1st Runner Up, Dance Sport, Intramurals
  • 1st Runner Up , Comical Skit, Intramurals
  • 1st Runner Up, Folk Dance, Regional Prisaa
  • 1st Runner Up,.Folk Dance, Regional Prisaa
  • 1st Runner Up Dance Sport, Malambuon Festival 2018
  • 1st Runner Up, Mardigras, T’nalak Festival
  • 1st Runner Up, Comical Skit, University Week 2019
  • 2nd Runner Up, Make Up and Hairstyling, Division Technolympics 2014
  • 2nd Runner Up Hiphop, Intramurals 2015
  • 2nd Runner Up, Comical Skit, Intramurals
  • 2nd Runner Up, Dance Sport, Intramurals
  • 2nd Runner Up Karadyan, University Week

Pageants

  • Miss Gay Pyap 2016 👑
  • Miss Gay Universe 2017 👑
  • Miss Gay Q and A Palkan 2017 👑
  • Miss Gay People’s Village 2018 (1st Runner Up)
  • Miss Gay Sta. Cruz 2018 (2nd Runner Up)
  • Super Sireyna Turismo 👑
  • Miss Gay Landan 2018 (1st Runner Up)
  • Miss Gay Kiamba 2018 (2nd Runner Up)
  • Miss Gay Manatad 2018 👑
  • Super Sireyna Kalikasan 👑
  • Super Sireyna Townsite 2018 👑
  • Miss Gay Fernandez 2018 👑
  • Miss Gay Lebe Universe 2018 (1st Runner Up)
  • Miss Gay Asuncion All-In 2018 (1st Runner Up)
  • Hiyas Ng Balabat 2018 👑
  • Miss Gay Universe 2018 (Quilantang) 👑

Inspiring

SHS Student Brings Photos of Late Parents on Graduation Day

A senior high school (SHS) student brought framed photos of her late parents on her graduation day, touching many hearts and making netizens cry.

Her story has gone viral, with many netizens cheering her on and praying for her success in life…

SHS Student Brings Photos of Late Parents on Graduation Day

Graduation day is one of the best days in a student’s life, but it’s not always the happiest for all.

Some also experience a bittersweet moment because their loved ones aren’t with them. While many are due to having OFW parents who can’t be home for the special, others are because the parents have already passed on.

SHS student Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio, 18, of North Cotabato made netizens cry after she carried her parents’ framed photos as she marched and posed on stage to receive her diploma.

Photo credit: Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio

She explained that during recognition days and other special events when she was younger, it was always her mother who would accompany her on stage.

She wants to share her success and milestones with her parents, but they’re no longer around.

They lost their father to heart failure in July 2020.

In 2022, the siblings decided to let their mother enjoy a vacation with her older children in Manila, only to discover that she was sick and already in the terminal stages of a stage 4 battle with the Big C. They lost her shortly thereafter.

Photo credit: Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio

Juvelyn shared that losing their parents took a toll on her mental health, especially because she had to stand as a parent to her younger brother.

On graduation day, she vowed that she wouldn’t cry despite seeing all the other students with their parents.

But she broke down on stage when a concerned teacher asked her about her parents and offered words of consolation after she showed her their photos.

Despite the challenges, Juvelyn plans on continuing her journey as she dreams of becoming a lawyer someday.

Photo credit: Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio

How to Become a Lawyer in the Philippines

  1. Complete a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Arts or Sciences.
  2. Pass the PhiLSAT (Philippine Law School Admission Test)
  3. Complete law school.
  4. Complete the law internship.
  5. Pass the bar exams.

Did you know that lawyers in PAO (Public Attorney’s Office) with an entry-level position (Public Attorney I) earn a basic salary of Php95,000 (salary grade 25)?

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Inspiring

Elementary Students Praised for Playing “One Day” Using Ukuleles

Elementary students at a school in Mindanao earned praise online after playing “One Day” using their ukuleles for a presentation.

Many netizens were impressed about their skills, with some commenting that it’s a difficult piece to play on a ukulele, yet most of them nailed it! Wow.

Elementary Students Play “One Day” Using Their Ukuleles

A lot of people these days have this mistaken notion that kids are only fond of using cellphones and no longer enjoy playing with traditional toys or learning how to use a traditional musical instrument – because you can find lots of options for those online or with their phones.

But a group of students from Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School impressed netizens with their skills in playing the ukulele as they presented “One Day” for the school’s 100-year celebration.

Seated on the steps of their school, the kids played the musical instruments seamlessly, except for a few issues.

Photo credit: Kung Taga-Oroquieta City Ka

And while some netizens pointed out that one of the kids appear to be struggling with the proper chords and kept shifting around during the entire performance, the overall presentation is still quite impressive!

Many netizens even commented on the post of the Facebook page “Kung Taga-Oroquieta City Ka” that they were deeply touched by the kids’ presentation and were crying while watching. Awww.

A lot also praised the coaches who made this possible – and others felt proud of the children even if they had no idea who these little ones are.

It’s also quite impressive to see that the class had so many ukuleles. It is unknown whether the kids own the musical instruments or if the school provided them, but what’s clear is that their presentation is truly admirable.

What’s a Ukulele?

A ukulele is a type of string musical instrument that’s smaller than a guitar. It usually has nylon strings as opposed to the metal used in standard guitars.

The instrument also has four strings but isn’t considered a “kid’s instrument” only. Instead, it can be played by kids and adults alike.

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Inspiring

Proud Vendor Dad Offers Free Taho after Daughter Passes Board Exams for Teachers

One proud vendor dad offered free taho for everyone when his daughter passed the LET (Licensure Examination for Teachers).

Netizens were even more impressed to learn that the young lady passed after doing a self-review.

Truly amazing, right?

Vendor Offers Free Taho after Daughter Passes Teacher’s Board

Passing the board exams is truly a milestone that everyone can be proud of – and most of the time, the parents are their children’s proudest cheerleaders!

Of course, spouses and kids also feel the same thing. For example, a taxi driver offered free rides after his wife passed the LET.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo

The proud parents of a student who passed that same LET are also offering free taho to their customers.

Bobby and Rose Torallo happily got a tarpaulin up to celebrate the success of their daughter, Rosebel Cielo Torallo. The young woman had graduated cum laude from Baao Community College in Baao, Camarines Sur.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo
Photo credit: Rose Torallo

Apparently, based on her mom’s post on Facebook, she had also self-reviewed for the licensure exams – and this made her success even sweeter for the family.

In the post of her mom, Rose, it showed that the family’s main source of income is from selling taho. It was through this that the parents were able to send their kids to school.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo

Rose lamented that there were times when people looked down on their because they are “just” taho vendors.

Thankfully, the family didn’t mind what these people are saying. Instead, they persevered and put their faith in God.

She thanked all her kids for cooperating and striving hard to succeed in their studies even if their parents are only supporting them by selling taho.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo

How to Celebrate Passing the Board Exams

There are many ways to celebrate passing the board the exams. Some of these are:

  • Throwing a party
  • Buying cake
  • Going on a trip
  • Treating your family, friends, or even strangers to something (such as a free rides from taxi drivers or free taho from vendors)
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