Category Archives: Same-sex Marriage

MANILA AIMS TO IMPROVE ITS NO. 9 STANDING AS HAVING THE WORST TRAFFIC IN THE WORLD

imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The Philippines has recently ranked as the 9th worst in deplorable traffic in the world, according to a study by Numbeo, a Serbia-based research firm. Data from traffic situations in 88 different countries determined the position of the Philippines in the firm’s 2015 Traffic Index report.

Other noted countries with even worse traffic situations than the Philippines are Kenya, Egypt, Bolivia, Nigeria, South Africa and Thailand.

The Philippines ranked 4th worst in all of Asia trailing behind Bangladesh, Jordan and Iran.

According to Numbeo, traffic index refers to the “composite index of time consumed in traffic due to job commute, estimation of time consumption dissatisfaction, carbon dioxide consumption estimation in traffic and overall inefficiencies in the traffic system.”

Kenya came in first place this year, as to having the worst traffic in all the world.

Reacting to the new study, Philippines President NoyNoy Aquino ordered the Departments of Transportation and Tourism to work closely with the local governments of Manila, Pasay, Quezon, Makati, Mandaluyong and other cities and towns comprising Metro Manila to improve the country’s No. 9 standing.

“We always strive to be No. 1,” Aquino said, “and there’s no reason that we cannot move up to the top spot in the world’s worst traffic.”

For motorists and commuters in Metro Manila, expect more excavations, traffic re-routing, cancellation of “coding,” easing of truck bans during heavy commute hours, and more Michael Jackson- wannabes among traffic enforcers. “Wang-wangs” (government vehicle sirens) will also be reinstated.

It is definitely a serious attempt by the Aquino government to again place the Philippines on the world map, this time as the top country with the worst traffic.

 

LGBT COMMUNITY’S NEW BATTLE CRY: ‘DIVORCE EQUALITY NOW’

O'Donnel, right, and second wife Michele Rounds
O’Donnell, right, and second wife Michele Rounds

SAN FRANCISCO, California  (The Adobo Chronicles) – The soon-to-leave The View host Rosie O’Donnell was a poster child (or adult) for marriage equality, having married her spouse Kelli Carpenter  at San Francisco’s City Hall in 2004.

That marriage didn’t last long. In 2012, she married another girlfriend, Michelle Rounds.

O’Donnel, 52, has confirmed that she and Rounds have been living apart for at least three months and have finally decided to divorce.

The problem is, while same-sex marriage is now allowed in 36 U.S. states, same-sex divorce has yet to be legalized.

Many same-sex couples who are married or in civil unions or registered domestic partnerships may not be able to get divorced. All states have some residency requirement for divorce: at least one spouse must be a resident of a state that recognizes their union in order to dissolve it. Same-sex couples who live in states that do not recognize their relationships may not be able to divorce.

Because of the increasing number of married gay couples deciding to part ways, LGBT organizations and advocacy groups are now scrambling to advocate for state legislation that would legalize same-sex divorce.

Same-sex divorce may be the next big battle in the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to rule this year on what could be a federally-mandated gay marriage in the next few months.

In San Francisco’s gay Castro Street last night, members of Equality California blocked entrances to the Muni station, shouting: “What do we want? Divorce Equality! Whe do we want it? Now!”

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS AND DAVID BURTKA TO RENEW MARRIAGE VOWS ON OSCAR NIGHT

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Harris, left, and Burtka (Photo credit: Instinctmagazine.com)

HOLLYWOOD, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – Actors Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka were married in a private ceremony in Italy last September after being together for 10 years. They have two kids.

On February 22, Oscar Night, Patrick, 41 and Burtka, 39 will renew their marriage vows in front of hundreds of witnesses at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles and before millions of television viewers worldwide.

Patrick is this year’s Oscar host.  The  renewal of vows will immediately follow his opening monologue.

This is not the first time that a same-sex wedding will be officiated on live national (and international) TV.  During last year’s Grammy’s, Queen Latifah officiated wedding vows to 33 couples, including same-sex partners. A performance by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Madonna provided the music background for the mass ceremony.

Patrick and Burtka have chosen John Travolta (of the “Adele Dazeem” fame at last year’s Oscars) to officiate the renewal of their wedding vows.

Let’s hope Travolta doesn’t mess up with David’s name and introduce him as Kurt Jabbar or some other gibberish.