Mare o Jowa? No One Gets Rejected in This Filipino Dating App

(SPOT.ph) If the dating scene is already hard for straight people, imagine how much more challenging it is for older LGBTQIA+ folks who don’t exactly fit in the young target audience of traditional dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and heck, even Grindr.

Enter Thundr, the first—and only—Filipino community app for the LGBTQIA+ members aged 35 and up. Its mission is to form meaningful connections at any age, emphasizing that growing older in the queer community can still be vibrant and full of possibilities. As Thundr puts it: “Age is never a reason to lose your thunder.”

Unlike other popular dating apps, Thundr adopts a no-rejection policy, letting users swipe everyone into the community, whether looking for friends (mare) or partners (jowa). The introduction of Thundr is particularly significant given the limited options for more serious relationships in existing LGBTQIA+ apps.

It also introduces a compatibility percentage with potential matches, starting the process of finding the right person with a stronger foundation.

Also read: Sick of Swiping Left? Try Your Hand at These Dating Apps

Swipe for a cause in new Filipino dating app Thundr

The app is yet to be released in the Apple Store, but Android users can already start swiping to forever. 

The sign-up process takes less than 10 minutes. After a phone and email verification, Thundr will ask a series of compatibility questions, including the following:

• Sa alin ka mas attracted? Matangos na ilong o Pinoy pa rin?
• Payday na. Ano’ng dasurb mong gawin sa sweldo? Save sa bank o buy new clothes?
• Among your beshies, ikaw yung…Taga-spill ng tea o listening marites?

The questions are simple and even fun to answer, but it can say a lot about your preferences, values, and lifestyle. You can also state your religion, vices, and politics on your profile for a higher chance to draw in like-minded individuals.

Then the fun begins: swipe left for mare, swipe right for jowa.

“Walang tapon, mars! It does not always have to be romantic. What’s wrong with platonic?” Thundr says. You’ll have 24 hours to message a match before the connection is lost.

The app is free to use for users who want to test the waters, but a paid subscription is also available to unlock enhanced features like no ads, unlimited swiping, and more advanced filters. True to its advocacy, Thundr says in the app that it gives a portion of its subscription fees to chosen LGBTQIA+ non-profit organizations.

Thundr is available for download in the Play Store.

Also read: 10 Filipino Movies to Stream on Netflix for Whatever Situationship You’re In