Buwan ng Wika 2019

As we celebrate Buwan ng Wika annually, this year's theme: Wikang Katutubo: Tungo sa Isang Bansang Filipino. But the Philippines as a nation will never be a nation without its former colonizers, namely: Spain and the United States. Without them, we don't have our own languages, too. I sympathize my fellow countrymen whenever they feel that Filipino (based in Tagalog), declared as the national language, is a product of imperial Manila. Despising more than the majority of Filipinos who don't speak it. As it kills other regional languages as some were forced to speak Tagalog to the extent that their local languages were put to lesser value.

I prefer to remove the term national language. And promote English and Spanish languages in the Philippines instead. There are benefits and advantages of promoting these languages.

English

Speaking English with fluency makes one more competitive in the world. And more than the majority of Filipinos speak English fluently. English is our language.

Spanish

We as people of the Philippines should study Spanish language to keep our minds active. Doing so, will also help understand and study our history. It is our language, too. It must be recognized as our own. As there are still Spanish-speakers in our country.

The bottom line of this blog is this: the Philippines remains a poor country ever since we have Filipino language as the national language of this country. I strongly support the abolition of the term "national language" in a country like the Philippines which is so ethnically diverse.

My new social media accounts

After experiencing the sudden and unexplained deletion of my Facebook and Instagram accounts last year, I found myself navigating the process of rebuilding my online presence from scratch. Despite the frustration and confusion that accompanied the loss of my previous accounts, I recognized the opportunity to start anew and forge a fresh digital identity. Thus, I took the proactive step of setting up new accounts on both platforms, eager to reconnect with friends, followers, and acquaintances in the online sphere.

With my new Facebook and Instagram accounts established, I invite you to join me on this journey by liking and following my profiles using the handle @GerryYabesPH. Through these platforms, I aim to share insights, updates, and glimpses into my life and interests, fostering meaningful connections and interactions with my audience. Additionally, I have also created a new Twitter account under the same handle, extending the invitation for you to engage with me across multiple social media channels.

While the process of rebuilding my online presence may have been daunting at times, I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead as I embark on this new chapter. With a renewed sense of enthusiasm and determination, I look forward to connecting with old friends, making new acquaintances, and sharing valuable content that resonates with my audience. Thank you for your continued support and engagement as I navigate this digital landscape, and I invite you to join me on this journey of growth and discovery.

Facebook and Instagram accounts

It was in May 15th when I started to think that I need to go offline on Facebook as my account has been disabled for no reason at all. So my accounts on Facebook and Instagram were closed down. These are two addictive and dopamine-inducing social media websites.

A week later
A bit of adjustment after a week. I began to think that most of my time spent on reading articles. I develop my habit of reading blogs as days are passing by, took a lot of photos, etc. I also began to read Wikipedia articles, Spanish news, watching YouTube tutorials and a lot more. I also listen to music and start to learn vocalization. In the long run, I became more active by signing up a gym membership.

A month later
Well after a month, I began to be organized. Not just checking my calendars but to be mentally active and focused on things that I need to attend. I try my best to keep on visiting some parts of Metro Manila that I used to visit when I was working as a field researcher back then. So long as I have enough.

Alternative Apps
I have other apps that I am using now. These are meetup and couch surfing. These apps are useful in meeting people. Know what's happening sorts of.

I challenge you to do the same thing. Delete Facebook and Instagram accounts. Let's start to go offline.

Why I don't followback: Instagram 101

The question of why I don't follow back my followers often arises, prompting this post to shed light on my stance and reasoning behind it.

Firstly, the number of followers holds little significance to me. In the ever-changing landscape of social media, follower counts fluctuate constantly as people come and go. I prioritize genuine connections and meaningful interactions over mere numerical metrics that don't necessarily reflect the quality of engagement.

Secondly, I prefer to highlight and prioritize following personalities who inspire and resonate with me. My loyalty lies with those whose content and messages align with my values and interests. On platforms like Twitter and Facebook, I limit my follows to a select few individuals and pages, namely Bro. Eli Soriano and Kuya Daniel Razon, whose insights and teachings I deeply respect and admire.

Furthermore, I refrain from following back others to avoid comparisons and the desire for validation on social media. My focus remains on staying true to myself and my beliefs without seeking external validation or approval from others.

Lastly, maintaining a selective following helps me filter out unnecessary noise and distractions, allowing me to concentrate on what truly matters to me. By curating my social media feed to include only content that inspires and uplifts me, I ensure that my online experience remains positive and enriching.

In essence, my decision not to follow back is a deliberate choice to channel my energies and attention towards sources of inspiration, aspiration, and creativity, particularly those embodied by Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel. It's about quality over quantity, and prioritizing meaningful connections that align with my values and goals. If this approach resonates with you, I encourage you to consider adopting a similar mindset and unfollow those who don't add value to your online experience.

This is Instagram 101: The Gerry Yabes way.