EP 150 Pride and Progress: Unraveling the LGBTQ+ Journey in the Philippines with Atty. Regal Mendoza Oliva (PART 2)

Note: The podcast episode title captures the essence of the guest's advocacy and personal experiences, emphasizing the changes, challenges, and triumphs within the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines.

In this episode we continue to talk with the amazing Attorney Regal Olivia from the Philippines who is a lawyer, a human rights activist, a fashion icon, a loving parent and the list goes on. This is PART two of a two-part piece. 

We left off last week, asking the question of what change the LGBT+ community in the Philippines faces in regard to acceptance. Regal explains how there have been big leaps in terms of safe spaces, such as homophobic remarks that are punishable, anti-rape law that includes males, and so on. She adds, that even in the absence of law, there are several organizations, and local governments that push to be inclusive and promote acceptance. Regal expresses how impressed she is with today's LGBTQ+ representatives who fight vocally for LGBT rights. The conversation touches upon the bullying and trauma from past LGBTQIA individuals, and the hope found in the support attitudes of today’s youths towards the LGBT community. Tiffany asks Regal what her current favorite books are, her coming out story and families' reaction to her uniqueness and gender identity, how we can heal from the stigma from the community, recycling fashion, and much more! Regal shares that if you want to succeed in life, you must love yourself first. 

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Atty. Regal Mendoza Oliva finished a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master in Public Administration at Silliman University. Took her Law degree from the University of San Carlos and passed the Philippine Bar in 2014. She also finished her course in International Human Rights at the Australian Christian University in Sydney, Australia.  A staunch social activist forwarding the LGBT, women, and children's Rights movement in her community. She is President of the Cebu Lady Lawyers Association. She also sits as the Executive Vice President of the Philippine Association of Local Treasurers and Assessors, while serving as a resource speaker in various events in the Philippines and abroad.  She believes that the only way to benefit and enrich yourself is to share whatever blessings you have with others. 

Follow Regal on the following Social Media platforms: 

• Regal Oliva on Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/regal.oliva 
• Instagram ~ @regaloliva