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Date: Sunday, September 4, 2010
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

We’ll be experimenting with the Saturday meetups, trying to take this fellowship of freethinkers around different venues. This week we’ll be meeting at Seattle’s Best Katipunan on the suggestion of French. The meetup area should be at the second floor; as always look out for the group of smart, sexy people!

Google Map to Seattle’s Best Katipunan

The discussion Topics are just a suggestion. Like pants.

1. Anti-vaccination
2. Book-wars: The CBCP Natural Family Planning book
3. International/regional involvement
4. Feed a beggar day!
5. Film School: “The Last Exorcism”

* Newbies are welcome.
* Discuss anything with fellow freethinkers.
* Look for the FF sign (or the group of smart, sexy people).
* There is no required age, religion, philosophy, or IQ level.
* Discussions are informal yet intelligent (most of the time).
* You don’t have to talk; you can just sit in and listen.
* You don’t have to buy anything from Seattle’s Best.

If you can’t make it for the meetup schedule, the FF’ers will most likely have post-meetup dinner and drinks at one of the many restaurants around Katipunan. If you’re new and interested in the post-meetup but can’t make it for the scheduled meet, please indicate in a comment below so we can contact you.

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Date: Sunday, August 22, 2010
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Starbucks (near cinemas) at Shangrila EDSA Plaza Mall

Discussion topics aren’t set in stone. They’re like the ten commandments that way!

1.  ”Don’t Be a Dick”
2. Culture wars
3. ???
4. Profit!

* Newbies are welcome.
* Discuss anything with fellow freethinkers.
* Look for the FF sign (or the group of smart, sexy people).
* There is no required age, religion, philosophy, or IQ level.
* Discussions are informal yet intelligent (most of the time).
* You don’t have to talk; you can just sit in and listen.
* You don’t have to buy anything from Starbucks.

Even if you can’t make it for the scheduled meetup you can always catch us for the post-meetup dinner and drinks at the Krocodile Grill in Shangrila Mall.

Many thanks to Ms. M for the generous treat and the books, and to the rest of the FF Davao guys for the fun weekend.

It was great meeting you all!

Books

And More Books

Singing

And More Singing

Food

And More Food

Sharing

And More Sharing

Catching Some Fresh Sea Air

Raiding our host’s Farm For The Coconuts And The Vinegar

Even More Food, Italian This Time

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This week, we’re having a special meetup in conjunction with the Mind Museum’s Cafe Scientifique event. The Mind Museum and the Silly People’s Improv Theater are presenting Cafe Unscientifique, a hilarious look at a world without science. Look forward to the performance of Kenneth Keng, a Filipino Freethinker and an actor of S.P.I.T!

For this meetup, we’ll be gathering at Seattle’s Best, Fort Bonifacio High Street instead of at our usual mall of Shangri-la. Meetup time is still at 1PM for the discussion, Cafe Unscientifique begins at 4PM.

* Newbies are welcome.
* Discuss anything with fellow freethinkers.
* Look for the FF sign (or the group of smart, sexy people).
* There is no required age, religion, philosophy, or IQ level.
* Discussions are informal yet intelligent (most of the time).
* You don’t have to talk; you can just sit in and listen.
* You don’t have to buy anything from Starbucks Seattle’s Best.

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1. Noynoy and Theocracy: Less secularism after Gloria?
2. Christianizing Islam: Do you agree with Ayaan’s strategy?
3. Child Indoctrination: Is it ethical to teach children religion?
4. Theist or atheist, what would make you change your mind about god?
5. Technology for parents to predetermine their child’s gender/gender identity — a good idea?
6. Short story workshop

* Newbies are welcome.
* Discuss anything with fellow freethinkers.
* Look for the FF sign (or the group of smart, sexy people).
* There is no required age, religion, philosophy, or IQ level.
* Discussions are informal yet intelligent (most of the time).
* You don’t have to talk; you can just sit in and listen.
* You don’t have to buy anything from Starbucks.

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Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Starbucks (near cinemas) at Shangrila Mall

Discussion Topics:

1. Starting steps for virgin vegans
2. Short story writing workshop
3. Freethinker Solidarity Day
4. Shoptalk: family planning & contraception
5. How to save Sex Ed (brainstorming)

* Newbies are welcome.
* Look for the FF sign (or the group of smart, sexy people).
* There is no required age, religion, philosophy, or IQ level.
* Discussions are informal yet intelligent (most of the time).
* You don’t have to talk; you can just sit in and listen.
* You don’t have to buy anything from Starbucks.

May 29 FF Meetup

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Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Starbucks (near cinemas) at Shangrila Mall
Agenda:

* Is nationalism a good thing?
* The ethics of having sex with friends
* Starting steps for virgin vegans
* Should atheists preach?
* Atheist Solidarity Day brainstorming
* Lesson 1 of short story writing workshop

Here’s some information from PNAC about the AIDS Candlelight Memorial this Friday. Be sure you read the event program at the bottom of the post.

Remedios Circle (click to enlarge)

PARTICPATION GUIDELINES

1. Registration starts at 3:00 pm at the Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila.
2. The group will march from Remedios Circle to Rajah Sulayman Park, Malate, Manila.
3. All participating individuals and organizations are requested to wear white during the event
4. Candles and ribbons will be provided by TLF SHARE Collective, Inc.
5. Transportation should be shouldered by participating individuals and organization
6. Participating individuals and organization are expected to take a light meal before the registration
7. Organizations are advised to bring their respective organizational banner/tarpaulin to be used during the event
8. Please bring an umbrella in case of rain

Republic of the Philippines

Philippine National AIDS Council

CONCEPT NOTE

2010 AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL IN THE PHILIPPINES

Many Lights for Human Rights – Remember, Honor, ACT

Background and Rationale

Since 1983, the world has been commemorating the AIDS Candlelight Memorial (ACM). A program of the Global Health Council, this activity gathers and mobilizes different sectors and groups in order to remember and honor those who have passed away due to AIDS and also to eradicate stigma and discrimination through education, advocacy and partnership. ACM serves as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers, and giving hope to new generations. (International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, 2010)

The Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) maintains its solidarity with the global community in commemorating the ACM. The ACM contributes to the fulfillment of policy declarations of Republic Act 8504 (the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998, or R.A. 8504) such as promoting public awareness on HIV and AIDS, the protection of human rights and civil liberties of people living with HIV and addressing the conditions that aggravate the spread of HIV. The 2010 ACM global theme is “Many Lights for Human Rights,” meant to promote both global solidarity and the need for collective action around HIV and human rights. (www.candlelightmemorial.org)

In the country, the ACM shall serve as public advocacy to position HIV and AIDS as crucial issue on the advent of a new administration in government. Its tone shall be solemn but with very clear messages of priority actions in the national response to HIV and AIDS. The ACM global theme is adapted with an addition “Remember, Honor, ACT” to emphasize our solidarity with Filipinos living with HIV and their loved ones.

The PNAC Secretariat shall engage technical services of TLF SHARE Collective Inc., an NGO involved in HIV and AIDS advocacy with a proven track record of mobilizing sectors and groups in Metro Manila, for the coordination of related events and mounting of the main ACM activity.

Objectives

• To increase awareness on human rights dimensions of HIV and AIDS as social issue;
• To remember and honor Filipinos who passed away due to AIDS and support those affected;
• To mobilize government, private sector, development partners and affected communities for meaningful participation and foster solidarity between and among them; and
• To promote, respect and uphold the dignity of persons living with HIV/AIDS

Participation

1. GOVERNMENT

• Government agency members of PNAC

• Local government units in Metro Manila (GF HIV Rounds 5 and 6 sites)

1. CIVIL SOCIETY and AFFECTED COMMUNITIES

• Individuals and organized groups of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS
• NGO’s and groups who work on HIV and AIDS
• NGO’s and groups who work on human rights
• Faith-based organizations and groups
• Other socio-civic organizations

1. PRIVATE COMMERCIAL SECTOR

• Corporations and networks with initiatives on HIV and AIDS
• Business networks for corporate social responsibility
• Business process outsourcing companies

1. DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

• Multilateral and bilateral aid agencies
• International NGOs
• Intergovernmental organizations (e.g. UN agencies)

PROPOSED PROGRAM FOR THE AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL

Remedios Circle and Rajah Sulayman Park, Malate, Manila

28 May 2010 (Friday), 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Malate, Manila,

Guidelines:

Participating organizations must bring the following on 2010 ACM:

1. Banner/Streamer of the organization supporting the 2010 ACM – prototype design is uploaded at www.pnac.org.ph
2. Food, Transportation and Communication means of the participants
3. Collaterals such as shirts, candles, red ribbons (if any)
4. Water, towels, umbrella and fans since the venue is open air

PNAC Secretariat Contact Persons:

Ms. Joane Corbe – 0921 6170380 / 0922 6305920

Mr. Glenn Cruz – glenn.cruz@pnac.org.ph

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You know it’s already late when the mall guard asks you to go home. Especially when you’re not even inside the mall anymore.

Two Sundays ago, a Shangri-la guard asked five Filipino Freethinkers to leave the taxi waiting area. It was past 2 am. We were continuing a discussion that had started at Agave, a restaurant we also left reluctantly after we’d finally noticed the waiters closing shop.

FF meetups. Some people just couldn’t get enough of them. I’m sure there would have been more than five of us in that waiting area if it weren’t for stupid school and work the following day.

But what if we had meetups on Saturday? Let’s find out.

Saturday FF Meetup
Date: May 29, 2010 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm (right…)
Location: Starbucks (near cinemas) at Shangri-la Mall

Agenda:
* Polyamory
* Banning the Burka
* The ethics of eating meat
* Dr. Craig Venter’s Synthetic Cell
* The ethics of genetic engineering
* Atheist Solidarity Day ideas
* In one minute: your talents and hobbies

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Agenda:

* Storytelling: 2010 Election day adventures
* Discussion: Boundaries — Is someone in a boyfriend – girlfriend relationship off-limits?
* Debate: Democracy — Does voting make a difference?
* Brainstorming: What can we do to get our writers to write more?
* Pseudo-Support group: 1-minute-share-anything round

Although the event is on May 28, please RSVP soon, because we need to send the organizers a list of participants from our group on or before May 14. See you there!

***

Dear Filipino Freethinkers,

Warm greetings!

The Department of Health–Philippine National AIDS Council and TLF SHARE Collective, Inc. are coordinating the 27^th AIDS Candlelight Memorial with the theme “Many Lights for Human Rights: Remember, Honor and Act”. The event aims to (1) increase awareness on HIV/AIDS; (2) to foster solidarity and support between and among different communities, NGOs, support groups and other stakeholders in addressing HIV/AIDS issues; (3) to promote respect and uphold the dignity of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families; (4) to mobilize communities and individuals towards achieving a participatory and meaningful engagement; (5) to remember and honor Filipinos who passed away due to HIV/AIDS and to support those who are affected.

This event shall gather key stakeholders in the HIV and AIDS response–public and private organizations, faith-based groups, health, social welfare, labor, commerce and industry as well as civil society and local communities representing the most at risk and vulnerable populations.

In this regard, we would like to invite your organization on the said event on May 28, 2010 (Friday); 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Remedios Circle and Rajah Sulayman Park, Malate, Manila.

Thank you very much for your support.

Yours,

Mr. Anastacio M. Marasigan

Executive Director

TLF SHARE Collective, Inc.

Facebook event page

(written by Beatriz Torre)

Sunday, May 2, 2010
5:00pm – 11:00pm
Metropolitan Community Church Quezon City, 56 Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City

PRIDE & ACCEPTANCE
The 2010 Flower Pride Parade / LGBT Flores de Mayo.

Flores de Mayo celebrates the harvest season and pays tribute to the saints and marian folklore. The mainstream Catholic church claims exclusive franchise on this event and opposes the participation of gay men and transgendered Filipinos as Floreses. In 2008, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said, “It is very disgusting that we see gays as the center of attraction in the Santacruzan, which is supposed to be religious in nature as this is for our love of the Virgin Mary. If we continue doing this, we are not giving praises to the Virgin Mary; we become instruments in destroying this sacred devotion.”

However, LGBT Filipinos and their allies continue to resist the Church’s homophobia and heteronormativity, and assert the right to participate in the Flores de Mayo.

Progay Philippines and the Metropolitan Community Church of Quezon City are working together to hold this Sunday’s queer Flores de Mayo. This event aims to encourage creative Pride celebrations that promote acceptance of LGBT citizenship.

In lieu of our regular meet-up, the Filipino Freethinkers are invited to participate in this queer Flores de Mayo. [update: There will still be a regular meetup on May 2.] As allies of the groups and individuals who assert their rights in the face of religious dogma, we can show our support for this effort in a number of ways:

(1) Help design one of the arkos that will be used in the procession.

(2) Help carry the arkos during the parade itself. This can be done by people of any sexual orientation and any gender identity. Up to 20 volunteers are needed for this.

(3) Watch and cheer as the parade goes by, maybe with a few counter-placards ready in case rabid anti-LGBT fundies show up.

Volunteers who would like to help design an arko can go to MCCQC in the afternoon/evening of Saturday, May 1 (after the FF-UPD chapter meetup). Those who want to help carry the arkos or support the parade itself can go to MCCQC on Sunday, May 2 at around 7 pm. Fancy gowns, tiaras, and barong Tagalogs are NOT required–you’re free to wear whatever you like.

If you want to help design or carry the arkos, PLEASE inform us by posting a comment on this event’s wall along with your RSVP. We need to know how many of us are volunteering, especially for those who will carry the arkos. Also, if you have ideas for placards to show our support for the event or to counter anti-LGBT fundies, do share!

The LGBTQIA Flores de Mayo this Sunday is another opportunity to go beyond our coffeeshop-comfort zone and try our hand at social action. Let’s be freethinkers against homophobic religious dogma and allies for pride and acceptance.

*For more information on this Pride event, please contact Rev. Ceejay Agbayani, moderator and pastor of MCC Quezon City (rev.ceejay@yahoo.com) or Mr. Oscar Atadero (oscar_atadero@yahoo.com). For location, type “Metropolitan Community Church” in the Search box of this website http://www.wiki-maps.com/manila/lid/mindanao-avenue