Newsletter: Amihan by Bea Luna

amihan

(n) northeast wind

a newsletter for the Filipino queer community

WHAT’s INSIDE? EDITORIAL: On Manny Pacquiao and His AntiGay comments p. 2 NEWS: Gay men holding hands on train bullied online p.3

FEATURE: Invisible light: Unheard voices in a spectrum p.4 FEATURE: Koronang Bahaghari p.7 Photo from UP Babaylan

Progressive first as LGBT-themed celebration held at De La Salle Lipa by Sandra Sendingan

The De La Salle Lipa campus was introduced to the potential of the rainbow last May 14 as it held the first ever LGBT-themed celebration. Spearheaded by the Association of Communication Students, the week-long event was both a recognition and celebration of the queer community and their invaluable contribution to society. “With Pride Fest, we’re letting the people who can’t manage to breathe or [those] who suffocate [to] have a safe space and an avenue for self-expression,” says Kim Millave, head organizer of the Pride Fest. But getting to that point was no easy task. Millave relates that the Pride Fest

It is important for us to show to everybody that living life according to how you and your feelings intend it to be, and loving who you want to love is normal. And that love is a human right, not a privilege. was actually an event a year in the making, having faced constraints and regulation from the administration. The lineup was reviewed and revise several times that the final list of events was only submitted last March despite plans to celebrate it on February in time for the National Arts Month. Despite the wait, Millave and his team carried on, with the belief that their event can

Kim Millave, Pride Fest Head Photo from Lavoxa Group of Publications

serve as a platform for greater visibility in a community that clamors for acceptance and inclusion. “With visibility comes awareness which leads to understanding and in high hopes, acceptance.” Continued on p. 3

Editorial On Manny Pacquiao and His Anti-Gay comments Manny Pacquaio brewed an internet storm that has continued to live for two weeks – thanks to a remark he made on TV 5’s “Bilang Pilipino,” where he was asked for his opinion on same-sex marriage for LGBT persons. “Common sense lang. Makakakita ka ba ng any animals na lalaki sa lalaki, babae sa babae?” said Pacquaio in the interview. “Mas mabuti pa yung hayop. Marunong kumilala kung lalaki, lalaki, o babae, babae. Kung lalaki sa lalaki, babae sa babae, eh mas masahol pa sa hayop ang tao.” This aggravated many netizens and celebrities, both within and outside the LGBT community. Posts debunking Pacquiao’s no-homosexual-animals claim made rounds on social media, listing species that in fact engaged in homosexual activity. Several celebrities expressed outright condemnation of Pacquiao’s comment, some of which were Boy Abunda and Jose Ma. Viceral (Vice Ganda), who aired their sentiments on national television.

Photo from Lollitop Images

sons do in fact deserve the right of marriage in order to achieve equality, but on the other hand apologists can argue that Manny Pacquaio doesn’t deserve the comments he is getting as he served the country by being internationally recognized, and that critics trample on his rights to freedom of expression. If one were to look closely, besides the fact

Pacquiao issue has revealed two striking flaws: the fact that Pacquaio is still allowed to run for office despite the lack of results and minimum attendance from him as Sarangani rep, and the fact that Pacquiao might still win because majority of the voting population cannot even access this debate anyway, and will most likely still see Pacquiao not for his opinions on issues that matter, but for the belts he has won in an arena irrelevant to governing this country.

Our discourse about our next leaders have stooped so low to the point of attacking people already instead of Even then, however, looking at the issue from a macro-perspective. when all is said and done,

Pacquiao then issued a statement, apologizing for his comparison of homosexuals to animals, but citing that he still stands by what he believes in and is against same-sex marriage based on “what the Bible says.”

so disorganized – and has missed the point completely – in the grander scheme of things, it wouldn’t matter anyway. This entire fiasco is only a symptom to a much bigger problem that we face – our electoral system, and beyond that, our own standards as a Filipino people for whom we deem worthy to be our leaders.

Here’s the problem: this discourse can go so many ways, and it can last longer than it has because we keep diverting the discussion away from productivity. We can argue that defending human rights means that LGBT per-

The point is that our discourse about our next leaders have stooped so low to the point of attacking people already instead of looking at the issue from a macro-perspective. Our electoral system is failing so terribly that this

whoever gets into office is still up to the voter – even if Pacquaio were to still be allowed by the system to run for office in spite of his profound misunderstanding of “equal rights” and his absenteeism, and even when every voter has internet access, he would still stand a chance of winning a seat in the senate. What they’re fighting for is for the ordinary citizen to have a little bit more sense of accountability for this country – to see that leadership isn’t the sole government’s job; it’s everyone’s. And that we’re wasting our rare chance to demonstrate this leadership with how shallow this discussion has become.

News Progressive... The line up consisted of an art and photo exhibit and a seminar with Niroshana Sangasingha of UPLB Babaylan and Paolo Lorenzana of TEAM magazine. The culminating activity was a concert which celebrated the music of queer pop culture icons and allies. While the Pride Fest made initial headway for the LGBT community in La Salle, Millave relates that there is much work that needs to be done. As outgoing president of AcTs, he has vowed to ensure the sustainability of

Photo from Lavoxa Group of Publications

Pride Fest for the years to come. “Plans for the establishment of the very first LGBT organization in school is already in the works. I’m happy that people are

Gay men holding hands... by Raisa Serafica

NO HATE, JUST LOVE. The picture of the couple that sparked outrage and inspiration from netizens. Photo from Rappler. “Love in a different view.” This is how a netizen described the photos of a gay Asian-Caucasian couple holding hands on a train that went viral on Saturday, April 18. The photos uploaded by the BV Patrol Facebook page came with a caption that read, “Suporta para sa kanila! Bawal ang bitter!” The couple in the photos were later identified through their social media accounts as Naparuj Mond Kaendi, a Thai creative director and booking agent at Bacca Model Management, and Thorsten

Mid, who appears to come from Germany. However, contrary to what the caption says, the post was not met with full support from netizens. Most of the negative comments anchored on the couple’s gender preference and Kaendi’s physical appearance. Offensive comments flooded the post: “Ano ba kayo, pet `yan” (What are you saying? That’s a pet), “Bakit siya pa? `Di na lang ako?” (Why did he choose him? Why couldn’t it be me). Based on Kaendi’s social media posts, they’ve been together for more than two

actually pushing harder to continue what we’ve started in spreading the message of love, equality, understanding, acceptance and celebration of who you are.” years. “To be honest I wasn’t so surprised when random people walked to us last night and showed us all these candid pictures of us that have been posted the whole evening. It happened to us before, same time last year and all the nasty comments left me nothing but worries and tears,” Kaendi shared in a comment posted on one of the viral posts. As fast as the negative comments came, many netizens were also quick to defend and praise the couple. “Dinadaan lang ang mga to sa biro pero, that’s precisely what bullying is. Do you really believe these two aren’t capable of having true love?” CK Espanol said online. Kaendi responded to netizens who showed support for the couple through a comment on Instagram: “This year though, on the other hand, Thorsten and I, unexpectedly, are so thankful and overwhelmed by the storm of your huge support. We never meant to try to be under the spotlight and all.” The couple later tied the knot in Germany on November 2015.

Features

Invisible light: Unheard voices in a spectrum

by Andrea Jobelle Adan

As dusk began to settle and shadows came to life, Diliman remained animated, its sidewalks littered with rainbow flags, banners, tarps, people marred with rainbow art. That, and liberation. But whose? Unabashed in his wig, dress and high heels, University Student Council (USC) Chairperson Bryle Leaño expressed that the liberation of the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders, Queers, Intersex, and Asexuals (LGBTQIA) would include addressing class struggle and discrimination. Steps have been taken to address the latter, such as House Bill 5687, also known as the Anti-Discrimination bill, making a comeback in this 17th Congress after 16 rejections since its creation. “We have to share more stories. Or else the congress is going to ask why the public isn’t clamoring over the issue,” Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-

ao, one of the principal role in the whole picture? authors of the bill, implored Sin Posadas knows this during the HIV forum last Sept. crisis to be a thing of the 15 at the UP College of Law. past. A demisexual herself, Yet, notably, in the bill’s being part of the asexual definition of sexual orientation, umbrella introduced her to there had been no nod the many treatments people towards the asexual umbrella who called themselves as they were not mentioned at “ace,” “gray-ace,” or “demi” all in the entire bill. received. Asexuals, in the Being demisexual means most general sense, do feeling the sexual pull only not experience sexual after a deep bond has been attraction. They are often established with another confused for being celibate, person. giving the erroneous notion “Ang stigma dati is that that asexuality is a choice. asexuals shouldn’t even According to Vince be considered part of Liban, one of Pride the spectrum due to the week’s key coordinators, nature of the definition of the bill aims “to prevent the word “sexuality.” Bakit discrimination regardless daw isasama ang “asexual” of sexual orientation and doon, when asexuals barely gender identity.” To drive feel sexual attraction, if the point, he called it “anti- at all,” Posadas said in an discrimination for all of online interview. humanity.” Leaño’s opinion Given the nature of the mimics this tune as well. anti-discrimination bill, The question then is: In as well as the contents of this dire to attempt to share Outrage magazine and more stories, is every voice Rainbow Rights Philippines’ being heard? Media Reference Guide, Do we truly see each her seemingly outdated color of the rainbow’s critical Continued on p. 4

Features

Catch Karitas at Damaso: The UP Repertory Company’s scandalous musical #blastphemy by Gio Potes

The UP Repertory Company, UP Diliman’s official University Performing Group for Philippine Theatre, proudly brings back one of its most outrageous and most controversial play for Fringe Manila Arts Festival: KARITAS AT DAMASO. Written by UP Diliman’s U Z Eliserio and directed by UP REP alumnus, Dax Carnay, the production also

Invisible light...

features an all critical, all daring, all UP production cast and crew. U Z Eliserio’s KARITAS AT DAMASO is a musical farce that seeks to question and reexamine the role of religion in our ideas and notions about sex, money, sin and love. In an old, cheap looking church, a young woman named Juana Donna visits to confess her sins before

caused by horrendous and superbly dramatic knowledge on the asexual experiences, lack of struggle may continue to attention, or psychological hold merit. problems. The Media Reference This and Posadas’ Guide, though aware of experiences seem every bit its contents probable the gay-gets-drowned-toinaccuracy, only includes heterosexuals, In this dire attempt to share homosexuals and and more stories, is every voice bebisexulas under its definition ing heard? Do we truly see each color of the rainbow’s of sexual orientation. “It’s hard to be inclusive critical role in the whole picture? kapag hindi mo alam ang full picture,” Posadas said. But more than obliviousness, change narrative, except some groups continue to here they aren’t asking you treat asexuality with malice. to change, they’re denying Sites whose credibility your existence, your are often questioned but narrative, altogether. retain popular to most like In the Philippines, mass Psychology Today, still treat media repeatedly brings to being asexual as a disorder, the fore the question, “does

she gets married. She begs the priest, Damaso and the nuns Karitas and Salve Regina to cleanse her soul so she can regain her virginity back — the most special gift she could give to her groom. After having done all the rituals, she realizes that the rituals change nothing, and Damaso, Karitas and Salve Regina, together with their beliefs and religious ‘powers’ are incapable of helping her. KARITAS AT DAMASO will open on February 14 (3PM & 7PM) and will continue on the following showdates: February 21 (3PM & 7PM), February 15 & 22 (7PM) and February 20 & 27 (3PM) at The Pineapple Lab, Makati City. For more details you can contact NICOLYN at 09066925606.

asexuality exist?” Discussion of the orientation ranges from this seemingly harmless question to the notion that perhaps people who claim to be asexual are “broken.” After all, some deduce, sex is an absolute human desire that must be credited for the expansion of life. UP Psychology Society member Mariel Cunanan, however, argued that though unusual to some, asexuality must cease to be called the “sexual desire disorder”. Labels like these put people who identify under the orientation under even more discrimination. Just as Posadas explained, it all came down Continued on p. 5

Features

Invisible light... to information. Pride march first-timer Aly Sulaik, her eyes alight with both curiosity and the Pride party’s strobe lights, admitted she had no idea what being demisexual meant. The Public Administration sophomore also said she believed asexuals were receiving less attention than other members of the party. Posadas, an alumni of the UP College of Mass Communication, has had to answer a lot of inquiries and assumptions on demisexuality, making up for what she believed to be a “striking indifference” towards asexuality and demisexuality. She recalled one instance when a friend of hers invited her to walk around a campus to search for her “type”, insisting that Posadas was capable of being attracted at first sight. “I proved her wrong, instead. Napagod lang siya sa kakalakad,” she recounted. People inject their own beliefs for each time she tries to explain. She has been called old-fashioned and sapiosexual. She has been toured by her friends, each one attempting to quickly ignite an attraction in whoever man or woman by pointing them out. All attempts ended in the bin. “It meant nothing to me,” Posadas said. “If my past relations and attractions

Photo from UP Babaylan

are anything to go by, then I’m pretty sure that my demisexuality is real.” In the Philippines, men who have gone off to remain bachelors are degradingly called “paminta”, while women who stay single are either good-for-nothing women, or presumably lesbian. Earnest learning, and not mere assumptions, Posadas believes, is what this society needs. She asked, “What are these labels [worth] if we do not fully understand what they stand for and what they mean to each other?” Since time immemorial, the struggles of the queer community have been considered as a fight fought by what is considered the minority. Even with the debunking of the misconception that heterosexuality is not equivalent with the terms

“normal” and “majority”, unheard voices still reside within the queer community. As children we were asked to memorize redorange-yellow-green-blueindigo-violet, and they made us call it the rainbow. Now, it has become vital to understand the shades in between. And maybe then, finally, we land a step closer to liberation. This aritlce was originally published on Tinig ng Plaridel on July 2016 but was secured permission from the author and her editor.

amihan is an effort in partial fulfilment of J122 for Ma’am Teresa Congjuico Anna Biala Angel Palpal-latoc Bea Luna Bella Toledo Sandra Sendingan

Features Koronang Bahaghari

Marvin Joseph Ang - Philippine Collegian

Masining na ipinakita ni Jun Robles Lana sa pelikulang Die Beautiful ang mga pagsubok at suliraning karaniwang kinakaharap ng isang miyembro ng LGBT. Sa konteksto ng Pilipinas, kung saan nananatiling sensitibong usapin ang kasarian, mababa pa rin ang pagtingin sa mga bakla at tomboy. Bunga ito ng namamayaning “heteropatriyarkal,” o ang kaisipan na ang mga heterosexual na lalaki ang namamayani— “it’s a man’s world.” Umikot ang kuwento sa pitong araw na burol ni Trisha kung saan bawat araw iba-iba ang bihis na ginagawa sa kanya ng kaniyang matalik na kaibigan na si Barbs bilang pagtupad sa kanyang huling habilin. Ipinakita sa pelikula kung paano hinarap ni Trisha ang mga hamong kaakibat ng pagiging isang transwoman na masasalamin mula sa hindi pagtanggap ng kaniyang pamilya sa kaniyang pagkatao, pagsali sa mga beauty contests (beaucon), pagiging nanay sa kanyang anak na babae, hanggang sa kuwento ng kaniyang pag-ibig. Byukonera ang kolokyal na tawag sa mga bakla na mahilig sumali sa mga beauty contests. Para sa kanila, ang mga beaucon ay hindi lamang isang porma ng paligsahan

Photo from Wikipedia

na nakapagbibigay-aliw, naipakikilala rin nila ang kani-kanilang mga talento na hindi maipamalas sa iba. Sa mga beaucon malaya nilang naipahahayag ang kanilang sarili. Sa pelikula, makikita sa katauhan nina Trisha at Barbs kung paano nila binibigyang panahon at pagpapahalaga ang mga beaucon. Hanggang sa ngayon, nagpapatuloy pa rin ang laban ng LGBT para sa pantay na karapatan. Ipinakita ng karakter ni Joel Torre kung papaano minamanipula ng patriarkiya ang pakikitungo sa kaniyang anak—binubugbog, pinagsasalitaan ng hindi magaganda at ikinakahiya ng tatay si Tricia. Hanggang sa pagkamatay ni Trisha, hindi nito kinilala ang pagiging

transgender at ipininipilit ang pagbabalik sa kung ano ang ibinigay ng Maykapal. Samantalang sunudsunuran naman ang naging karakter ng kanyang ate na si Beth dahil wala siyang kapangyarihang magpasya para sa pamilya. Bukod sa pasakit ng pamilya, mabigat din ang nararanasang kalupitan ng LGBT sa labas ng tahanan. Ipinakita kung paano pinagsamantalahan hindi lamang ang pisikal niyang katawan maging ang kaniyang buong pagkatao. Pero sa kabila nito, nagawang magpakatatag ni Trisha at tumayo sa sarili niyang mga paa. Pinanindigan niya na kaya niyang mabuhay sa gitna ng kalupitan. Naitaguyod niya ang anak nang maayos at bagaman paulit-ulit siyang nabibigo sa pag-ibig, hindi ito hadlang para muli siyang bumangon pagkat mataas ang kumpyansa niya sa kaniyang sarili. May kurot sa puso ang pelikula ‘pagkat sinasalamin nito ang talisik at natural na pagiging mapagbiro sa buhay ng mga Pilipino. Inilapit ng pelikula sa madla ang mga bagay na hindi nalalaman ng mga tao tungkol sa buhay ng isang LGBT. Ngunit hindi matatapos ang lahat sa pelikulang ito. Dahil para sa mga miyembro ng LGBT, ngayon pa lang nagsisimula ang laban.

Upcoming Events

Things left Unspoken: Beyond bloodlines A night of art music dedicated to fighting homophobia, transphobia and sexism WHEN: May 19, 2017; Friday WHERE: The Sand Hub, Quezon City

For more details, please check event Facebook page hosted by LAGABLAB LGBT Pilipinas and UP Babaylan.

Metro Manila Pride March and Festival 2017 WHEN: June 24, 2017; Saturday WHERE: To be announced

For more details, please go to the Metro Manila Pride Marchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook and Twitter Page.