14/02/2026
๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ: ๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐น๐น ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐
Love is not a power but a giftโa gift of gentle, genuine, and kind feelings. Love isn't just shared between a man and a woman, but is shared across all identities. Love should be embraced with inclusivity, pride, and belonging.
Risie Clavecilla and John Paul Daffon Rebosura, 17-year-olds from 12-Laurel, are part of the LGBTQ communityโa gay and le***an pair. They were asked a question about their relationship as members of the LGBTQ community, and how they grow together and as individuals.
Their history as a couple is like a sprout of a daisy. They first met way back grade 11, they weren't close but the eye contact made them notice each other. Forward to academic year 2025, they were classmates, though Risie wasn't aware that they were classmates until Paul made a group chat. They started as friends and grew into lovers when Risie started flirting Paul as a joke, until it wasn't. The constant texting everyday made them fell for each other. Risie even said "Paul is a very eloquent person; with every single word he says, mu-tatak jud." Paul fell in love slowly but sincerely to Risie. Paul said it was a natural feeling for him, instead it was a slow and sure kind of love. Risie finds it amazing because she wasn't expecting that she would fall in love again despite of uncertainties in life. She lastly added with a heartfelt message; "But then again, one thing is for sure: I love Paul, always, in all ways." Then the sprout bloomed into a beautiful white daisy, symbolizing peaceful and genuine love, with petals that holds their memories from their unforgettable moments from each other. It shows that love is a true feeling, not a sudden feeling.
John Paul Daffon Rebosura said that, "It helped me reflect and [made] me aware of things that [I wasn't] fully aware of. Because sometimes, I do things that I don't know if nasakitan nako siya or akoang sarili. So in terms of relationship, we always talked it outโthere are some misunderstandings, conflict. (Ga storya mi ana), [we have been always open], open mi sa mga butang-butang. We still look out for each other." Their relationship bloomed beautifully when they met. It shows that love is a feeling that we cannot control, reject, or predict. It is given that love is carefree and gentle.
Risie Clavecilla was also asked, and she said, "In our relationship, wala man kaayo mi naka-experience og judgement. [Instead], mas naka-experience mi og support [from] teachers, classmates, and peers, especially diri sa campus." She also added that they grew individuallyโespecially her. Back when she hadn't met Paul, she was at the stage of immaturity. Now that she has met him, her life has changed. She also said that, "As a couple, I can say [that we] grew together, sa mga away namo, misunderstandings namo nga always namo gina storyahan." She feared that growing apart from him would be a loss, hoping it wouldn't reach that point someday.
Love is really not exceptional; it is kind and supportive. These people are no different from othersโthey feel love, support, care, and fear. Acceptance and inclusivity are also forms of love. Love has no identity, but is shared with one another. Love is a gift for others or for yourself. We should always remember that love has no identity itselfโthere is no gender base; it is inclusive. Love is where you feel you belong and are appreciated.
โ๏ธ: Maria Elaiza Bague
๐ผ: Rench Joy Mandabon
