I sell what I can't buy

Robinsons Place, Butuan City.- "The chicharon (fried dried pork skin) we sell is popular," she said.

"Lots of people buy it for merienda (snack), pasalubong (gift given by travelers), pulutan (food accompanying drinking sessions)..." "Have you tried the chicharon already?"

She laughed. "I just sell. Gamay lang akong kita. Dili ko ka-afford aning butanga (I don't earn a lot. I can't afford such goods)."

source: Speak Carabao

A Note from a Transpinay

When she was 14, Vien realized that she was "no ordinary beki".

“Before I turned 14, estudyanteng beki lang ako (I was just another gay student),” she recalled. But then she realized, “iba talaga ang experiences ko; hindi maipapaliwanag ng pagiging beki (my lived experiences were not similar to being gay).”

It was at that point that she realized she’s transgender. With the realization, Vien is not only happier, but feels more empowered. This is particularly important for her since she has relatives and friends who remain not accepting of her, refusing to recognize Vien's self-identity. But Vien - now 20 years old - said: “Ito ako. Tanggap ko ako, Bahala na ang iba (This is me. I accept myself. I don’t care what others think).”

source: Speak Carabao