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LGBTQ+ lost a safe place as Today x Future announces closure

Thursday, June 18, 2020

LGBTQ+ lost a safe place as Today x Future announces closure - metroscene mag


It’s a sad day for the LGBTQ+ community as Cubao’s famous bar, Today x Future announced its closure.

For almost 12 years, the bar has become safe place very dear to every people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual orientations and gender identities.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, the bar shared their gratitude for the community, “Thank you to all our promoters, our performers, our tireless staff and all our regulars, old and new. You have made our tiny abode the warmest, most nurturing nursery it can be.”



Read Today x Future’s full statement below:


Today x Future is closing.
After long days and nights of deliberation, wrestling options and way too much alcohol to cushion the emotion, we are left with the decision to say farewell.
We would have turned 12 years old but alas, the uncertainty has made it incredibly difficult. However, this isn’t a statement about sorrow and regrets and wishing things would have been different. This is a love letter—a love letter to all of you who have kept our Future shining bright for over a decade.
We don’t know what the future holds but we hold on to all the unforgettable memories. We’ll always remember them fondly, from the loud, endless singalongs and sardinas sayawan to the quiet moments when we realise how much we all mean to each other.
Thank you to all our promoters, our performers, our tireless staff and all our regulars, old and new. You have made our tiny abode the warmest, most nurturing nursery it can be.
As we close another chapter, we keep one open. Futur:st, our baby sibling in Poblacion will remain open as long as we can keep it that way. In the coming weeks, we will be announcing plans to welcome you back there in another shape and form, and we hope you can continue to support us and make it your second home.
We may not be able to throw Today x Future the closing party it truly deserved but we are throwing one last hurrah on June 27, with our online Pride celebration. More details to be announced in the coming days!
What is coming is better than what is gone? Who knows? Perhaps we’ll see you again in the near future ❤
We love you. We thank you. We will miss you.

As the nightclub closed its curtains, avid goers took to social media to share how Today x Future has become part of their lives.





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Let Jane De Leon and 8 Other Filipinas Tell You What It Means To Be Free

Wednesday, June 17, 2020


The coronavirus pandemic has changed everything around the world as  we know it . Routines were disrupted, travel plans were postponed, work and businesses were put on hold. But even with more than a billion people in lockdown,  one thing remains the same: The resilience of a woman. 
In a time when it’s difficult to feel free, MODESS understands how a lot of women may feel anxious, confused, and even powerless. That’s why while some of us worry and are afraid to face the challenges of the “new normal”, MODESS found nine inspiring women who remained empowered and positive amidst the pandemic. 

Jane De Leon
As the newest MODESS angel, Jane opened up about her preparations for an upcoming iconic role that was halted by the pandemic. “Tulad ng marami sa inyo, I had big plans for 2020,” but amidst the limitations, Jane focused her energy on working towards improving herself and her craft.

“I’m really excited to go back to shooting but for now, I push myself to train every day, and I take the time to really study my next role.” The 21-year-old actress has been sharing snippets of her workouts on social media and hinted about doing more vlogs on her YouTube channel.

 Patricia Prieto admitted
“When the ECQ started, my mental, physical, and emotional health were all over the place. I couldn’t workout, I couldn’t do anything,” cycling instructor Patricia Prieto admitted. When fitness gyms and studios closed at the start of the lockdown, the routines of women like Patricia, dance instructor Sam Corrales, yogi Sophie Albert, and fitness enthusiast Crisha Uy were disrupted. But these girls knew that they’re stronger and bigger than today’s challenges. “Eventually, I was able to come up with a new routine for myself. I now workout more consistently and have more strength and push to do a lot of things,” added Patricia. 

Arianne Bautista and Erika Rabara
For travel enthusiasts Arianne Bautista and Erika Rabara, 2020 was supposed to be a year filled with trips and adventures. Despite the cancelled trips, these girls have found ways to keep doing what they love to do. For Arianne, it’s all about continuing to create good content and planning for future trips. Erika, on the other hand, allows her mind to travel by reading more about the different places that she wants to visit. “Being free to move today doesn’t have to be about physically travelling. It’s about how far you can travel with just your mind,” Erika shared.


#FreeToMoveWithModess: Read the inspiring letters that these unstoppable women wrote to themselves. From upper left to lower right: @samcor_, @patrciaprieto, @crishauy, @itsophiealbert, @iradeniseoyco, @erikarabara, @arianne, @iamrheabue  


Ira Oyco and Rhea Bue 
Like many business owners, Ira Oyco and Rhea Bue had to stop the operations of their shops for a while. While it was a difficult decision to make, these two women dealt with the situation like true girl bosses. Rhea and Ira turned their homes into makeshift studios to shoot their collections and studied the effects of the pandemic to online buyers in order to protect their businesses.
MODESS® offers a range of sanitary protection that caters to specific needs of women, so that nothing can stop them from making their move. MODESS® introduces its first and only flexi-move pad, the new MODESS® Body Adapt Longs. Designed with a unique body adapt shape, the new MODESS® Body Adapt Longs keeps its shape as you move for up to zero leaks so you can have 100% Freedom to Move. 

Text by: Novie Nunez
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Maria Ressa: ‘Stand up against any kind of attack against press freedom’

Monday, June 15, 2020


Defend Press Freedom


Today, June 15, 2020, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. found guilty of cyber libel and sentenced to minimum of six months to six years in jail under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a press conference following the verdict, Ressa said, “it’s not unexpected and at the same time, we will keep fighting. It's a blow to us. It's also not an unexpected considering we are going to stand up against any kind of the attack against the press freedom.”

She also followed up, “I appeal to you, the journalists in this room, the Filipinos who are listening to protect your rights. We are meant to be a cautionary tale. We are meant to make you afraid. I appeal again, don't be afraid.”



In supporting the #DefendPressFreedom people show their thoughts, opinions, and verdict in social media to the case of Ressa and about the oppression of Press Freedom under the Duterte Administration.

People are not surprised nor disappointed hence, this is the chance to fight more and stand back against any kind of attack to the press freedom and against the power of this Administration.

“Sa mga Pilpinong nanunuod, hindi lang ito tungkol sa Rappler, hindi lang ito tungkol sa amin, tungkol po ito sainyo because freedom of the press is the foundation of every single right you have as a Filipino citizen.”

"If we can’t hold power to account, we can’t do anything. If we can’t do our jobs, then your rights will be lost" Ressa added.

Following the verdict, Harry Roque said, “The court decision should be respected.”

Hence, the injustice under Duterte Administration can be really seen over and versus in the case of Imelda Marcos and Mocha Uson.

#DefendPressFreedom




Text by: Novie Nuñez
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Here's Another Reason To Love SpongeBob Squarepants: He Is Gay!

Sunday, June 14, 2020

The Gays Are Winning!


In celebration of Pride month, Nickelodeon has officially shared that Bikini Bottom's most famous resident, SpongeBob SquarePants is a member of the LGBTQ community.

Earlier today, Nickelodeon tweeted this statement in celebration of Pride — which also features pictures of Korra from The Legend of Korra, actor Michael D. Cohen from Henry Danger:



Interestingly enough, SpongeBob's creator, Stephen Hillenburg, had also given his opinion on the issue in 2005, stating that SpongeBob, alongside his best friend Patrick Star, are asexual.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with what we’re trying to do,” Hillenburg told Reuters at the time.

“We never intended them to be gay. I consider them to be almost asexual. We’re just trying to be funny and this has got nothing to do with the show.”

He added that there are “more important issues to worry about. I really don’t pay much attention to this.”

Nickelodeon’s sent the internet into a frenzy on when it tweeted about LGBTQ pride month, prompting “SPONGEBOB GAY” to trend on Twitter world-wide.


Happy Pride Month Everyone! 




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The utter hypocrisy of Filipinos in the face of sex scandals

Friday, June 12, 2020

Sex Scandal - Metroscene Mag
Some Filipinos are sex predators! There, I said it. 

For sure there are those of you who probably disagree. But If that's the case, then at least I have your attention.

Well, let’s face it, as much as we like to insist that we’re a wholesome bunch, our actions pretty much speak for themselves.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but for the past consecutive years the Philippines has been one of the most sexually preoccupied countries in Asia, more than Japan. Pornhub stats can attest to that. Sexual crimes such as sextortion have been blatantly happening in the country,  but we've had enough. 

Welcome to our TED talk


In the country, people scour the depths of Facebook and Twitter just to find sex scandals— some people even ask video links publicly without thinking twice. Everytime a scandal gets leaked, Filipino men hunt on these contents like blood-thirsty hounds but no one bats an eye. It's disgusting.  

But what really makes my blood boil, is how these people justify their actions. In my observaion, when a sex scandal gets leaked, majority of these people always blame the woman involved. 

I have read tons of comments from people, calling the woman ‘pokpok’ or ‘haliparot’ and it's just not right. Some comments even condemns the woman by saying, “If she wants respect, she needs to respect herself first.” or "deserve niya yan" further imposing sexual objectification of Filipino women.

Well, sit down and let me school you: SHE IS NOT THE PROBLEM. People like you, who share and gobble up on these kinds of videos, are. The woman is clearly a victim. It is her body and yes, she can do whatever the hell she wants with it. It’s just that, people like you exist. 

What's more upsetting is that the public completely ignores the participation of men in it. It only proves that the country is also misogynistic. af.

Well, I got news for you. 


Many Filipinos might not know it, but sharing video scandals and illegal sex tapes online without the owner's consent is an actual crime. And  If caught, prosecuted, and convicted, offenders face jail time and hefty damages according to the 1987 Constitution. 

Women's alliance groups and networks such as Anakbayan Women, and Gabriela are only some of the many groups one can run to.

One of the things that I see why these certain problems in the country exist to this very day, is not because we lack ways to address it but simply because we refuse to address them at all. Up to this day, Filipinos still consider these issues as taboos, not realizing that it's causing more damage to our youth than ever.

Text by: Mark Baccay

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Tired of Being Angry? Voter registration officially resumes this July

Wednesday, June 3, 2020


It's time. 


The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) offices will be resuming its operations nationwide on June 1st, 2020 instituting the no face-to-face transaction policy. The COMELEC Spokesperson, James Jimenez posted a tweet last May 31, “The @COMELEC begins the phased resumption of its operations nationwide tomorrow, June 1, 2020 #COMELECSTAR #TuloySerbisyo”


On that note, voter’s registration will start on first of July confirming by James Jimenez via tweet reply to a citizen last May 28, “Voter registration resumes in July. June will be dedicated to, essentially retrofitting our offices and procedures to ensure the safety of both the public and our workers. Please hang on. #MagparehistroKa #VoterReg2020” In conformity with the strict implementation rules of COMELEC, “Always wear a facemask; Practice handwashing and hand hygiene frequently; Observe social distancing”


For the applicants, bring one valid ID (see the list below) and a filled out registration form (application form available here.)

List of Valid IDs


• Employee’s identification card (ID), with the signature of the employer or authorized representative;
• Postal ID ;
• PWD Discount ID;
• Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority;
• Senior Citizen’s ID;
• Driver’s license;
• NBI clearance;
• Passport;
• SSS/GSIS ID;
• Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID;
• License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC);
• Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs; and
• Any other valid ID

Register now and make a change for the future. We are the voice of this country! Vote wisely and do not forget that we are making our country better for us, for our future generations.

Text by: Novie Nunez

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Remembering The Victims Of The Drug War



The act of remembering is an act of defiance.


Remembering all The  war on drugs unleashed a culture of violence that shall forever scar the democracy of our country. Thousands of innocent people were killed and forgetting them would be an unspoken agreement with the inhumane bloodshed. 

Let us take a moment to the victims of the bogus war on drugs,  whose names and stories should not be forgotten. They have suffered and died unmercifully under the current regime. We will not forget.


 Remembering The Victims Of  Drug War



Bladen Skyler Abatayo (4 years old)


On a raid last July 2018 led to the killing of four-year-old Bladen Skyler Abatayo. The four-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet from an anti-drug operation in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City.


Althea Fhem Barbon (4 years old)

Althea died of a bullet that hit her spine, she was on a motorcycle with her father when police shot him in the back. The bullet hit the 4-yo girl riding in front after piercing the body of her father, who died instantly.


Francisco Manosca (5 years old)

Francis was five when he died with his father on December 11 after a masked vigilante shot and killed Domingo from the window of their home.


Aldrinne Pineda (13 years old) 

“Pa, binaril ako. Pa, pulis.” Ilong’s father Allan recalled him saying those words as he rushed his son to the hospital. Ilong would die the next day.


Jayross Brondial (13 years old)

“Kuya, 'wag! 'Wag ako, hindi ako! (Sir, don't! Not me, it's not me!)” he screamed as he held his chest hit by a bullet. Jayross 'Utoy' Brondial, 13, was killed by a motorcycle-riding, masked gunman, in what neighbors believe might have been a case of mistaken identity.

Joshua Cumilang (18 years old)


Joshua was allegedly dragged by armed men to an alley near their home before being killed by Delpan beat patrolman Ronald Alvarez and a companion, according to the victim's cousin, Jimmy Walker.

Visit PAALAM.ORG for the full list.


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Is Anti-Terrorism Bill another excuse for the government to silence the public?

Saturday, May 30, 2020



Filipinos dismayed with the senate's approval of Anti Terrorism Bill took to Twitter their concerns and desire to junk the bill.

The topic #JunkTerrorBill trended on Twitter with keywords #OustDuterte and “ACTIVISM IS NOT TERRORISM” after the House of Representatives committee on public order and safety approved the substitute version of the Human Security Act.

The bill hands power to the government to define what constitute terrorism, who are to be considered terrorists and its penalties.

Netizens are particularly railing against the administration’s decision, calling it as another excuse for the government to silence the public. An attack on human rights, freedom, and overall democracy of the country.


What's in the Philippines' New Anti-Terrorism Act?


Here are the activities that can be interpreted as "terrorism" under the new bill: 

1. Damage or alleged damage to gov't property;

2. Assault or attempted assault;

3. Purchase or carrying a knife or anything that can be used as a weapon;

4. Meet-ups, suspicion of plotting against gov't;

5. Donating or helping relief drives that aren't government/state-recognized;

6. Participating in a rally or any movement that can cause a "serious risk to public safety";

7. Posting, writing, sharing and/or retweeting posts (even memes) related to "terrorist activities";
Punishable by 12 years in jail to life imprisonment; warrantless arrest minimum 24 days; wiretapping and/or state surveillance."



Here are some of the reactions online:



Under the current administration, the Philippine government has been targeting activists through propaganda, crackdowns, violence. Activism is not terrorism and it’s time the government accept that.

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Life is good, all the time? NOT ANYMORE for Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Life is good, all the time? NOT ANYMORE for Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. - Metroscene Mag


Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa got his plot twist a day after his celebratory statement online

On Tuesday, May 26, before the online Senate session ends, the Senators are already bidding their goodbyes when dela Rosa was heard telling his colleagues enthusiastically, "Ang sarap ng buhay. Sarap ng buhay. Ganito na lang tayo palagi ha,"



Many people on social media slammed his insensitive statement knowing that the country is in a difficult time for two months already.






In the recent Senate session happened on Wednesday, May 27. President of the senate, Sen. Vicente Sotto III, ordered dela Rosa to attend the session on June 1 at Senate Plenary Hall in flesh along with other Senators, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Tolentino, and Sherwin Gatchalian.

Senator Zubiri added, "Tama yon, Mr. President. Para statement niya pagkatapos would be, 'Mahirap na ang buhay kasi hanggang alas diyes na siya sa senado.'"

It's true, your lack of compassion and empathy will come back to bite you in the ass. What a plot twist Sen. dela Rosa got in a span of 24 hours!

Text by: Novie Nunez

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