Natutuwa, pero hindi nirerespeto. Natatawa, pero hindi tinatrato ng sakto.
That sums up to what being gay is like here in the Philippines, and how treatment is most likely have and still happening. Upon the issue of the rumored Vice Ganda and unknown boyfriend break-up raised an unforgivable and pitiful issue of pre-judgment, inequality and discrimination.
Based on the articles I’ve read and TV show clips I’ve seen in the past few days: first and foremost in The Buzz which Kris Aquino interviewed the indisputably the most famous Gay ever that stayed long in Philippine Television: Vice Ganda, about his break-up with the unnamed lover.
He has hints of initials T and R in his official Twitter account which is the rumored Ateneo basketball star Terrence Romeo. Clearly, whenever that topic is raised, even on his noontime show ‘It’s Showtime’; he always give comical remarks on what really is it but never gives a confirmation on who that person is. Leaving people in question, ‘Is it true or not?’
Hence to the issue in that TV interview; a Facebook account of Terrence Romeo grudgingly posted about how dismayed he is about the said issue and threatens to deactivate it permanently if people tolerate it.
Terrence, on the other hand, then denied, but seems happy and even praised that someone took the initiative to post it.
In addition to that faux-post and partly degrading appraisal is a statement made by Terrence Romeo’s father William, quoting:
“Si Terrence talagang tinuturuan ko ‘yan ng katuturan. So kung totoo man ‘yang istorya na ‘yan, sinuway niya ako. Dahil hindi naman lahat ng oras nakasama ko siya,” he said. “Pero si Terrence, kumpleto ng aral sa akin ‘yan. Pinaiiwas ko siya sa mga bagay na hindi mabuti.”
In the past, being gay is generally unacceptable in the Filipino society because of numerous reasons:
1. Religious – As a true blue religious country, believing in everything the church says; we are ignorant of the fact that the Earth is round, the universe is infinite, and science can be the highest form of education we can achieve to become a worthy and knowledgeable citizen. This doesn’t mean I don’t believe in God, it’s just that I have my faith, but not in the same normal people who preaches.
2. Global Standards – Rest assured, the Philippines is not the only nation to appease an abomination to the gay community, but also to the world.
3. Homophobia – to get a textbook definition of this: Prejudice against (fear or dislike of) homosexual people and homosexuality. Or in societal definition nowadays; a person acting straight, disliking homosexuality because of a hidden, unaccepted and shamed hypocrisy within self.
4. Family Standard/Upbringing – this sums to parents’ Religious beliefs, Global standards and/or Homophobia.
And some other pathetic reasons you can think of. With this still obvious in our society; I’m definitely sure we’re still in the century where science is denied and ignorance is tolerated.
And now back to the issue as per told by William Romeo and how discriminative his statement is:
“Pinaiiwas ko siya sa mga bagay na hindi mabuti. (I let him keep distance to the things that aren’t good.)” – William Romeo
It’s annoying and unfair because he correlated being wrong with being gay or having an affair with a gay person.
Discriminating gay people on their gender preference or sexual orientation or same sex relations is like claiming you are GOD that you can do or say whatever you want because you are the Law. And obviously, you are not GOD, therefore you have ZERO right to dictate on what preference these people chose to have; not even lecturing on absent verses on the New Testament about how wrong being homosexual is wont exempt you from hell, because in the first place you have judged.
And what I learned about Jesus is that he was here not to judge but to accept and forgive. And that’s one commendable personality one person can have, and definitely that’s what it meant by being Christ-like. And Pope Francis clearly understood that.
If you have nothing good to say, better shut the hell up.
And if you think I am over reacting to this issue; well you’re ignorant to what’s happening outside our nation then. If this was heard in the US; this would be sensationalized.
Vice Ganda is a national phenomenon, he has breached the cinema and the music scene smashing some records. He’s called the Unkabogable (undefeatable) because he’s the only gay person to have reigned in our showbiz who lasted years and still going strong with the ultimate competition that is himself and only himself can break it.
I look up to him.
Because he set the standard of a fact that Showbizness is done with straight people on the top of the charts, and it’s time to be different; it’s time to accept the fact that there are talented people out there, straight or gay, who could redefine total entertainment.
He did also change the way people think about being gay: that respect is somehow subconsciously earned and some people changed the way they look upon us. I can concretely say that because as years passed by, straight people changed the way they treated me; some with utmost respect, some with a cunning fear, and some trying to be close with me with no prejudice on what orientation I might choose.
I felt that sudden change in people surrounding me and in my society. But there’s still that lingering fact that discrimination is going on in these uncharted hearts of people laughing with Vice Ganda or Gays in general.
Natutuwa, pero hindi nirerespeto. Natatawa, pero hindi tinatrato ng sakto.
They adore, but respect is fleeting. They laugh, but discriminate right after. Hypocrisy seems to be floating amidst this battle we’re fighting. The LGBT community has been fighting for equality. I too have been fighting my whole life for equality, acceptance and a resonating cry for RESPECT.
One Setting Travels 