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-"Russell, are you gay, straight or bi?"

   -"I don't want to answer that..."

-"Why naman?"

   -"When someone questions your sexuality, that is when prejudice starts..."

Tumatak na sa isip ko ang sinabi na ito ni Russell Villafuerte, a finalist in a TV show called Project Runway Philippines. He said this when the host asked him (a fan question to be exact) his sexuality. Oo nga naman, you are a guy in a contest na ang majority ay mga beki din.

I admit, I watched the show, and by the way Russell talks and moves, meron akong naconclude (pero sa akin na lang yun he he). Pero who am I to judge Russell? First of all, it's none of my business, as long as wala siyang taong nasasaktan, go lang nang go! Next, it's his choice. Eh ano bang magagawa natin, dun siya maligaya eh, again: go lang nang go!

It's the same here in this Architecture business. Many people will question your sexuality. It could be your classmate, professor, officemate, or even your boss.

Sa experience ko, it started in school. May mga dialogue na: "Dapat nag-Interior Designer ka na lang!" Kung hindi ba naman...ggggrrrrr!!!! Anong sinagot ko? Isang makabuluhang smile. Para 'di na lumaki yung usapan.

Nagtuloy-tuloy 'yan hanggang sa work ko. Yung isang officemate ko hindi ko alam if she's tripping o seryoso talaga. Crush niya raw ako. She even asked me kung talagang beki ako, kasi sayang daw kasi sa exterior otokong otoko raw ako. Pero once I open my mouth at nagsalita na, yun na! Doon na raw talaga ako halata.

Pero ito ang worst experience ko. I was presenting a plan to one of our clients, together with my immediate superior. Yung client namin, friend na nung boss ko kumbaga, so ang atmosphere hindi na ganun ka-formal. So habang nag-eexplain ako, syempre may kulot yung boses ko here, there and everywhere. Typical beki kumbaga. Ano'ng ginawa ng boss ko? He ridiculed me in front of our client. Ginagaya niya ang boses ko pati na actions. Ggggrrrr!!!! Kahit pa sabihing biro lang yun, gggggrrrrr!!!! pa rin. Sa isip ko: "Amp...napaka-professional!"

'Yan ang hirap dito sa Architecture business/industry. People will judge you because of your sexuality, not because of your talent/skill. Kaya ang advice ko sa inyong beki rin in arki industry, go lang nang go! Ang importante, wala kayong nasasagasaan habang gumogora kayo :)