LIFTOFF
saturation
Inclusivity beyond Visibility A look from the perspective of Transgender Centralians
AS TOLD TO
Ariel Lorenz Castronuevo
Cliché as it may seem, change is the only thing unchanging in this world. That statement might have made your eyes roll or maybe even made you cringe, but no one can ever deny that universal adage. Throughout history, people have come a long way with regard to societal norms. What even is normal? What’s acceptable and unacceptable? Can you even measure normality? Not fitting in to society in the past was not only depressing and anxiety-inducing. Being out of place during a time when people were not accepting of things that are not considered normal reached to a point that it became lifethreatening. Women falsely accused of practicing witchcraft were hanged to death or drowned. Men who were outed for being gay were castrated. There was even a time when burning was a punishment for both. As the world went through industrialization and modernization, so did the people mature and became more accepting of differences. One such topic or issue that has grown in awareness and acceptance is the LGBT+ community, the Transgender community in particular. Central Philippine University, as Christian as this institution may be, is not free from mixed opinions about the Transgender community. That is the overall gist after interviewing two Transgender Centralian alumni. Let’s get to know them, shall we?
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A “full-fledged transwoman,” as she proudly calls herself, Kit Oliver Sta. Ana Lapating started Hormonal Replacement Therapy during High School. In 2017, she had her first surgery which was the Tracheal Shave where her Adam’s Apple was removed. Having undergone Sexual Reassignment Surgery later that same year, she considers it the best year of her life. “It felt like I was reborn to a new, right body,” she said. She went on jovially saying she had her breast implants a few days after, adding, “Now, I feel very comfortable with myself, no insecurities and completely happy.” Her Struggles in Transitioning Kit said it wasn’t easy being in CPU, further adding that it was the toughest and that it felt like she was torn between choosing to pursue her dream career or to express her true identity. “I can never forget during exam week when I was in my 2nd year. I was wearing a loose white V-neck shirt and jeans. Then when I entered the Main Gate, security called my attention. He told me ‘Indi na pwede ang ginasuksuk mo, indi ta ka pagpasudlon.’ I answered ‘Nong ano sala sa ginasuksuk ko? Panglalake man ni. THE
CENTRAL
ECHO
MAGAZINE
