Cover As pride month draws near, Tatler lists seven memorable LGBTQIA+ characters in Filipino cinema (Photo: Rod Singh/‘Mamu: And a Mother Too’)
As pride month draws near, Tatler lists seven memorable LGBTQIA+ characters in Filipino cinema (Photo: Rod Singh/‘Mamu: And a Mother Too’)
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From heartfelt dramas to hilarious comedies, these LGBTQIA+ characters left a lasting impact on Philippine film and culture
In the Philippines, where conservative values often shape media narratives, representation costs a pinch of courage and a dose of honesty. For decades, cinema has wrestled with how to portray LGBTQIA+ lives not just as comic relief or tragic figures, but as fully human stories worth telling. Today, the journey toward full inclusivity is far from over, certain characters have already carved their place in cinematic history—bold, memorable and ahead of their time.
As pride month draws near, Tatler lists seven memorable LGBTQIA+ characters in Philippine cinema.
In case you missed it: Pride And Equality: The Plight Of The Filipino queer
Mamu in ‘Mamu: And a Mother Too (2018)’
Above Mamu in ‘Mamu: And a Mother Too (2018)’ is a notable LGBTQIA+ character who struggles to make ends meet for her adoptive child Bona
Mamu from Mamu: And a Mother Too is a transgender woman and a sex worker who provides a vivid picture of the daily struggles mothers have to endure to protect and raise their children in a world where acceptance is never guaranteed.
When her adoptive child, Bona, falls ill, she does whatever it takes to make ends meet. In many ways, her character captures the sorrows and joys of being an LGBTQIA+ individual in the Philippines. Her journey as a mother is unlike any other portrayed on the big screen.
Eric in ‘Iti Mapukpukaw (2023)’
Above Throughout the movie, Eric used facial expressions and body language to communicate
Portrayed by Carlo Aquino, Eric in Iti Mapukpukaw is an animator whose life is quietly shaped by unresolved trauma. His character, drawn without a mouth, symbolises his silenced suffering and his inability to express the pain he has carried for so long.
In Iti Mapukpukaw, his queerness is never sensationalised; his relationship with Carlo is portrayed with gentle intimacy and emotional honesty, offering a rare depiction of queer love that is both tender and real.
Read more: On trauma, Oscars campaign, and more: Carl Papa talks about ‘Iti Mapukpukaw’
Maxi Oliveros in ‘Ang pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005)’
Above Maxi Oliveros is an effeminate boy growing up in the slums of Manila
Maxi Oliveros is a young, effeminate boy growing up in the slums of Manila. Unbothered by their identity, Maxi moves through the world with a tender heart and a disarming sense of confidence, even in a society that often seeks to dim the light of people like them.
Atty Sylvia Salazar in ‘T-Bird at ako (1982)’
Above Portrayed by National Artist Nora Aunor, Atty Sylvia in ‘T-Bird at Ako’ is a respected, sharp-tongued criminal defence lawyer
Portrayed by National Artist Nora Aunor, Atty Sylvia in T-Bird at Ako is a respected, sharp-tongued criminal defence lawyer who begins to question her sexuality after taking on the case of a nightclub dancer (Vilma Santos).
In a time when queer characters in Philippine cinema were either ridiculed or relegated to the margins, Sylvia stood in striking contrast: intelligent, composed and quietly introspective.
Walterina Markova in ‘Markova: Comfort Gay (2000)’
Above Walterina Markova was portrayed by the late Dolphy
Portrayed with remarkable depth by the late Dolphy, Walterina Markova in Markova: Comfort Gay is a character rooted in real history, based on the life of a gay man who survived the experience of being a “comfort gay” during the Japanese occupation.
The film traces Markova’s life from a traumatised youth to a dignified elder, offering a portrait of a person who endured violence and profound loneliness.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
