LGBTQ+ narratives celebrated in Filipino pop culture

• T-Bird at Ako

  The film T-Bird at Ako drew public attention as it starred Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, two of the Philippines’ most popular stars in the Seventies and Eighties. Written by queer activist Portia Ilagan and directed by Danny Zialcita, the movie depicts some of the earliest portrayals of LGBTQ+ romances on the big screen.

  It follows the story of a sexy dancer accused of murder. She is defended by a female lawyer who tries to build a professional relationship with her. The story becomes even more interesting as the latter struggles with the confusion brought on by her infatuation with the dancer.

See more: Transgender Icons on the Importance of Representation

• Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros
  
  This 2005 coming-of-age dramedy was Aureaus Solito’s directorial debut. Based on the screenplay by Michiko Yamamoto, the movie follows the story of a gay teen Maximo “Maxi” Oliveros (Nathan Lopez), in the slums of Manila.
  
  The titular character is torn between his love for a young policeman and his loyalty to his family. The film was presented at the first Cinemalaya Film Festival and was the Philippines’ official entry to the 79th Academy Awards. It has received international acclaim and a musical theatre adaptation by Nicolas Pichay.

• Mamu and a Mother Too
  
  Filmed and written by queer director Rod Singh, Mamu and a Mother Too is arguably one of the best modern films that depict the life of transgender sex workers in modern times. It follows Mamu (Iyah Mina) who works as a prostitute in her late 40s.
  
  She assumes the role of a mother to her orphaned transgender niece who is only beginning to discover her sexual identity. As she continues to work more shifts, Mamu confronts challenges beyond what she has ever imagined.
  
  For her performance, Mina bagged Cinema One Originals’ Best Actress accolade. She is the first transgender actress to accomplish such a feat in local cinema.
  
  
• Zsazsa Zaturnnah (for comics, theatre, and film)
  
  Zsazsa Zaturnnah is a red-haired fictional comic book superheroine created by Filipino illustrator and graphic designer Carlo Vergara. She first appeared in the graphic novel Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah which was later distributed and won the Manila Critics Circle’s coveted National Book Award in 2003.
  
  In 2006, its superhero musical film directed by Joel C. Lamangan and written by Dinno Erece was released on the big screen. It starred Zsa Zsa Padilla, BB Gandanghari, Chokoleit, Pops Fernandez and Alfred Vargas. The story follows a queer beautician who after swallowing a rock from space becomes imbued with superhuman abilities.
  
  In 2023, the Rizal Library partnered with Areté and blueREP in presenting Zsazsa Zaturnnah the Musical... ‘Yun Lang!, the latest adaptation of the award-winning graphic novel.

More from Tatler: The 2023 staging of ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah’ revisits LGBTQ+ issues and pushes conversations forward

For lovers of literature! Queer narratives are also presented in different writings that are often easier to consume for those who want something tangible. Some of the most respected queer write-ups are:

• Ladlad: An Anthology of Philippine Gay Writing
  
  Edited by J. Neil Garcia and Danton Remoto, Ladlad: An Anthology of Philippine Gay Writing is an anthology of poems, essays, stories, and plays about the Filipino gay experience. 
  
  
• Ang Autobiografia ng Ibang Lady Gaga
  
  Written by Stefani J. Alvarez, Ang Autobiografia ng Ibang Lady Gaga is a book made up of at least 91 short stories about racism, discrimination, and sexual abuse of an immigrant worker in Saudi Arabia.
  
  
• Philippine Gay Culture: Binabae to Bakla, Silahis to MSM
  
  Also by J Neil Garcia, Philippine Gay Culture: Binabae to Bakla, Silahis to MSM, is a descriptive survey of popular and academic writings on and by Filipino male homosexuals. It also contains a genealogy of discourses on male homosexualities and the bakla or gay identities that emerged in the country from the 1960s to the present time.

Queer narratives filled the void, especially during the peak of COVID-19. On the internet are series like Gameboys, Pearl Next Door, and Batang Poz which undeniably made us swoon.

• Gameboys
  
  Directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal and written by Ash M. Malanum, Gameboys stars Kokoy de Santos and Elijah Canlas play the role of two boys—a live stream gamer and his fan—who both found each other online during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic quarantine. 
  

Read more:‘Gameboys’: Actors Kokoy De Santos and Elijah Canlas On Making The BL Movie

• Pearl Next Door
  
  Jun Lana’s Pearl Next Door is a spinoff from Gameboys. It follows the story of Pearl who goes on a search for her one true love. She is torn between her best friend Kathleen and her long-lost childhood friend Alex who has harboured a crush on her.
  
  
• Mga Batang Poz
  
  Directed by Chris Martinez, Mga Batang Poz is a 2019 series that follows the story of four teenagers who are all HIV positive. The characters meet in a cafe to discuss body and family issues.
  

Drag has always been an art. Below are two entertaining and drag television programmes that portray the lives of the LGBTQ+ community in the most colourful and heart-wrenching way possible:

• Drag Race Philippines
  
  The queens of Drag Race Philippines radiate colours that would shame the rainbow. With charm, grace, and poise, they are more than ready to entertain with their vibrant ensembles, height-defying wigs, and unparalleled burlesque talent. The show, which premiered on August 17 on WOW Present Plus, features 12  seasoned and new drag performers.

Related: Loud and Proud: Drag Race PH's Precious Paula Nicole Reveals Her True Colours On Stage

• Drag Den
  
  Nothing else depicts the Filipino queer community better than Drag Den Philippines. It features the queens in a Manila city street-esque setup and lives up to the “for the Filipinos, by the Filipinos” branding. The show, which was directed by Rod Singh and produced by Antoinette Jadaone, Dan Villegas, and Manila Luzon strategically immerses its viewers in all the facets of drag life in the country.
  

Read more: The showrunner is a she: tales from Rod Singh's (drag) den

If food is the easiest way to tame the stomach, then music is the easiest way to capture the soul. Below are some of the most meaningful music that presents the LGBTQ+ struggles and experiences one beat at a time.

• Sirena by Gloc-9

  Gloc 9’s Sirena is a bitter-sweet take on the plight of Filipino queer children. The song, which also features Ebe Dancel, explores the upbringing of an LGBTQ+ member who forgave the father who tortured him at a young age. It was nominated for the 2013 Awit Award Song of The Year, Best Rap/Hiphop Recording, Music Video of the Year, and Best Collaboration.

• Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako

  Released in 2016, Michael Pangilinan’s Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako is a testament to an LGBTQ+ member’s budding feelings for the same sex. It was nominated for Awit Award for Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist.

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