Becoming The Man (COMPLETED)

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

"Hi, guys! So I'm Debbie from the Pros Group. Shoutout sa inyo, guys! Best team ever!" I said tapos nag-palakpakan sila.

"Ms. Lofranco, please proceed with your case."

"Ay okay po, Sir," I said and pina-next na 'yung slide sa projector. "Okay po, so ang stand po namin ay Yes to SOGIE Bill! Kasi po, Sir, lahat naman po tayo, may SOGIE. We shouldn't limit ourselves with the knowledge na for the LGBTQIA+ lang 'yung bill. It's literally looking out for everyone's rights po! So if you say no, you're against humanity. Payag ba kayo dun, guys?!"

"Hindi! Kaya Yes to SOGIE Bill na!" my groupmates shouted back.

"So, that's our stand po, Sir. Thank you!"

I smiled and stepped backward. I put my hands behind me as I patiently waited for Bailey to throw his questions.

"If that's your claim, Ms. Lofranco, we already have other laws instated concerning human rights. Don't get me wrong, we love LGBT community. I have gay friends—"

"Mahal mo pala, e. When you love someone, you protect them," I interrupted him.

He looked pissed off.

My groupmates cheered. I smirked.

"Let me finish, please," Bailey said. "As I was saying, basically everyone in this country receive the same human rights. Kung ipapasa ang bill na 'to, isn't the gay community being too much?"

My lips parted. Wala ka pa rin talagang character development, Rembrandt Bailey Ceralde...

Ugh, kairita!

Why naman kasi nagde-debate tayo about literally human rights?! This should be a no-brainer decision by now!

"Okay, so," I began. Huminga ako nang malalim as I flip my hair. Then I stepped forward and answered, "Mr. Ceralde, have you ever experienced getting bullied for being yourself? Let me guess—never, right? Because you're what? A straight man! Exactly!"

"Let's keep our rebuttals objective, Ms. Lofranco," Prof. Ramos interjected.

I smiled. "And I was being objective here, Sir."

He sighed and massaged his temple. I saw him write down in his class card. I gritted my teeth. My time was up and turn na ni Bailey.

"The Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression Bill provides a set of action that is deemed as discriminatory," he started. Nag-flash sa PowerPoint nila 'yung stated sa bill. I raised an eyebrow.

"This is actually good for them, but up to what extent? We all know that the Philippine justice system is exceptional. And obviously, the gays can use this card in their favor to also do harm against other people. Isn't that leaving us with greater injustice, Ms. Lofranco?"

My gosh! Pang-college ba 'yang points nila talaga?!

It wasn't my turn to speak pa naman kaya nag-drawing nalang ako sa planner ko as he dissected my presentation kanina. When he was done, turn ko naman to make gisa sa kanya.

"You mentioned that you have gay friends. Is that right?"

He nodded. "Yes. I do have gay friends, and I love them."

"If you really love them, then how could you stand here in front of me today and question their capability to be good and law-abiding citizens, Mr. Ceralde? How could you?"

"S-Sir, that's subjective..." Bailey said to Prof. Ramos, pointing at me.

"Ms. Lofranco, this is your second warning," sabi ni prof. Ugh, kairita! Sumbungero talaga niya!