Letting love win: How

my parents' love made

me a winner
My Mama and I like having conversations about what's going on with
our lives. That day, I asked her about what she thought about my
moving out, and more importantly, my coming out as a transgender
woman.

I knew it was not easy for my parents to accept my decision to

transition and start living my life as Mela. After all, I am their "Erick
Boy," their eldest son.

More importantly, I felt they were afraid of how society would treat me,
just like any other protective parents. They did not want others — the
ignorants and the bigots — to bully me, hurt me, and disrespect me.
They did not want to see me living in a limited world with less
opportunities.

But I guess, their love for me was bigger than their fears. They wanted
me to be happy. Hence, they let me soar higher as a transgender
woman and now, I am loving life to the fullest.

My parents are a testament to how love can end transphobia and

bigotry. And their acceptance is what matters most.

So I appeal to you, my dearest friends. If ever your child turns out to be

lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or transgender, please accept them. Your
acceptance is everything. Coming from my experience, no matter how
cruel the world is, I am always assured of a safe and caring home that
will always love me.

Because of Erico and Irene's love, I live.

As much as they say that they are lucky to have me, I am the luckiest
to have them as my Mama and Papa. And I will always live by my
Mama's words: "Huwag ka mag-give up. Ipagpatuloy mo 'yung
pangarap. Alam ko masaya si Papa kasi ipagmamalaki ka talaga niya.
Pero kailangan lang maging humble ka at kailangan lang laging
mangunguna si Lord sa buhay mo."

(Never give up. Keep on dreaming. I know Papa is happy because he is

always proud of you. But you need to be humble and remember that the
Lord should always come first in your life.)