Pleasure Month 2024: LGBTQIA+ members BB Gandanghari, Gina Pareño, Michelle Dee and Jake Zyrus. Picture: Instagram/@gandangharibb, @yourlolagets, @michelledee, @jakezyrusmusic
The Philippine present biz is dwelling to a lot of LGBTQIA+ group members whose tales of popping out function an inspiration and, extra so, an encouragement to these nonetheless inhibited to totally embrace their colourful narratives.
To welcome this 12 months’s Pleasure Month, right here’s a lookback on a number of the accounts of those that braved the chances and championed a love that is aware of no gender.
Ice Seguerra
Ice Seguerra (left) and him as a baby (proper) in “Eat Bulaga” in 1988. Photos: Instagram/@iceseguerra, screengrab from YouTube/Eat Bulaga!
Ice Seguerra, previously referred to as the kid star Aiza Seguerra, first got here out as lesbian in 2007, though he stated his household had at all times identified about his sexuality even previous to his revelation.
Again then, Seguerra admitted he was not educated about sexual and gender identities, and that he thought he may solely establish himself as both a lesbian or a homosexual; therefore his lesbian declaration.
After being enlightened by some analysis, Ice got here out as a transgender man in 2015.
“I didn’t plan to return out, however when you realize who you really are, that feeling of being free haunts you,” he stated in a 2023 interview with Tatler Asia.
Liza Diño and Ice Seguerra. Picture: Instagram/@iceseguerra
Seguerra has been married to Liza Diño since December 2014. They tied the knot in San Francisco, California, the place same-sex marriage is taken into account authorized.
Jake Zyrus
Jake Zyrus. Picture: screengrab from YouTube/Celestine Gonzaga-Soriano
Jake Zyrus, previously world music sensation Charice Pempengco, marked his first popping out as lesbian in 2015 with an apology to his household. Then 21-year-old Jake, who was receiving native and worldwide recognitions, was emotional on the time as he addressed these who didn’t perceive and couldn’t settle for him.
In 2017, Jake got here out once more however as transgender man, breaking down the “wall” that was stopping him from displaying who he actually was.
“I used to be nonetheless a baby, that was already my dream,” Jake stated then. “That is the primary time I made a decision it didn’t matter no matter detrimental issues different folks say as a result of this time what mattered to me was myself.”
“I do know sometime they may perceive that I’m not doing this to trip on a fad, as a result of I’m being silly or as a result of I’ve an incurable illness,” he added. “It’s as a result of merely that is who I’m.”
BB Gandanghari
BB Gandanghari. Picture:Instagram/@gandangharibb
BB Gandanghari, priorly referred to as Rustom Padilla, confessed being homosexual in 2006 throughout her stint within the actuality program “Pinoy Massive Brother.” Years later, she shocked the general public after she got here out as a transgender lady.
Gandanghari then legally turned a lady in 2016 after her petition to alter her gender and title was authorized by the Superior Courtroom of California.
After her transformation, she declared that Rustom Padilla—who was beforehand married to actress Carmina Villarroel—is “useless.”
“I’m very snug in my very own pores and skin now,” stated Gandanghari who’s at the moment residing within the US. “I’m prepared to start a brand new chapter in my life, alone, alone phrases.”
Rosanna Roces
Rosanna Roces: “Blessy was my first severe relationship and got here forward of all the lads in my life.” Picture: Fb/Adolfo Alix Jr.
It was in 2016 when veteran actress Rosanna Roces got here out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ group, revealing her relationship along with her lesbian companion Blessy Arias.
Roces additional disclosed that she and Arias first received collectively after they had been simply teenagers, noting that the latter was her “childhood sweetheart.”
After 11 years, the pair reconciled and tied the knot in an LGBTS ceremony, which Rev. Crescencio Agbayani Jr. of the LGBTS Christian Church Inc. described as “a mix of Anglican-Catholic and Protestant liturgy, with a contact of Filipino wedding ceremony traditions.”
“I didn’t need folks to take a look at me and decide me,” Roces identified, talking about making her same-sex relationship public. “In any case, I used to be by no means the kind who would disguise secrets and techniques and act holier-than-thou in public.”
Paolo Ballesteros
Paolo Ballesteros. Picture: Instagram/@dragraceph
Paolo Ballesteros got here out in 2017 together with the revelation of his then-relationship with dancer Roland Ochoa Anog. The actor-TV host didn’t communicate a lot about his sexuality, stressing in a 2019 assertion that he didn’t really feel the necessity to announce it to the general public as he had at all times exhibited his true self in his actions.
Ballesteros was additionally acknowledged for his tasks that includes the LGBTQIA+ group, together with the critically acclaimed movie “Die Stunning.”
Within the film, which received him a number of native and worldwide appearing awards, Ballesteros portrays a Filipino transgender lady who lived her life dealing with the adversities and penalties of residing as such within the conservative Philippine society.
Lately, Ballesteros additionally hosted “Drag Race Philippines,” the Filipino franchise of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
The actor-TV host does all of those all whereas being a gift father to Keira, his daughter from a earlier relationship.
Gina Pareño
Gina Pareño. Picture: Instagram/@yourlolagets
Responding to speculations in 2022 about her sexuality, then 75-year-old veteran actress Gina Pareño proudly confirmed that she is a part of the LGBTQIA+ group.
Pareño made this affirmation by means of an interview with Ogie Diaz through which she additionally opened up about her deep reference to late actress Nenita Vidal, whom she known as “Doktora Bong” and regarded as her “fortunate allure.”
“Kaya mo bang aminin na miyembro ka ng LGBTQ?” Diaz requested Pareño. (Are you able to admit that you’re a member of the LGBTQ [community]?)
“Oo, bakit, problema? Saka nagmamahal ako nang tapat,” she answered. (Sure, why, is there an issue? And extra importantly, I like genuinely.)
Michelle Dee
Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee/ARMIN P. ADINA
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee had simply received the title when she got here out as bisexual, saying she desires to take management of her personal narrative.
“I undoubtedly establish myself as bisexual. I’ve recognized with that for so long as I can bear in mind. I’m interested in all types of magnificence, all sizes and styles,” she revealed in an unique interview with Mega journal.
Addressing the resurfacing of her previous photographs with a brief haircut and rugged look, the actress-beauty queen admitted that she felt someone was taking away her story.
“When someone takes away your story, then you must take management of that narrative. Flip it round and make it an empowering story,” she burdened.
“I really feel that it’s so vital when someone tries to knock you down and use your previous towards you. All of us have to understand that we’ve come such a protracted strategy to simply let our previous outline us,” she added.
Michelle Dee. Picture: Doc Marlon through Instagram/@michelledee
Advising her followers, she stated: “Personal who you actually are and have that self esteem and confidence to manage your life…There’s an excessive amount of hate on the earth. Let’s make a aware effort to make this a greater world.”
Mark Bautista
Mark Bautista. Picture: Instagram/@iammarkbautista
Mark Bautista, who rose to fame after he turned a grand finalist within the actuality expertise search “Star for a Night time,” got here out as bisexual in 2018 by means of his memoir “Past the Mark.”
Talking about what he’s most happy with as a bisexual, he stated, “I’m simply completely happy that this present day, we don’t want to clarify our selections in life or query different folks’s selections. We will be no matter we wish to be with out conforming to what society desires us to be.”
Bautista additional underscored that regardless of dropping tasks and a few associates turning into distant, he doesn’t remorse embracing his id out within the open.
Additionally speaking concerning the celebration of Pleasure Month, the singer acknowledged, “It’s about reminding the world that acceptance, understanding and love for different folks can be the important thing in understanding and accepting the constructive and rising adjustments in our world right now, no matter gender or race.”
Raymond Gutierrez
Raymond Gutierrez. Picture: INQUIRER.internet/Armin P. Adina
Raymond Gutierrez revealed being a part of the group in 2021, saying he wished youthful generations to not really feel alone and to allow them to know that he’s additionally going by means of “the identical issues.”
“I went by means of a protracted time period hating myself as a result of society taught me that being completely different wasn’t the appropriate path, particularly for somebody rising up within the public eye,” he burdened. “So to these saying ‘we knew,’ you by no means knew my story and my struggles.”
“It feels rattling good to be on the opposite aspect,” he famous.
Picture: Instagram/@mond
Gutierrez is at the moment in a relationship together with his non-showbiz boyfriend, Robert William.
Alex Diaz
Alex Diaz. Picture: Instagram/@ira.giorgetti through @alexandermcdizz
Filipino-Scottish actor Alex Diaz publicly recognized himself as bisexual in 2019. Nevertheless, this was an involuntary popping out as he did so after he issued a public apology for making an “indecent proposal” to a health coach.
Diaz took a hiatus after the incident however got here again prouder to participate within the LGBTQIA+ illustration within the media.
Issa Pressman
Picture: Instagram/@pressmanissa
In 2018, Issa Pressman got here out as bisexual by means of an commercial for a toothpaste model, additionally making public her then-relationship with singer Marga Bermudez.
Pressman, who’s at the moment relationship actor-musician James Reid, then mirrored in 2023 on the acceptance she obtained from her household which allowed her to be “expressive, trustworthy and free.”
Issa Pressman and James Reid. Picture: Instagram/@pressmanissa
“I’ve been blessed to expertise love with each males [and] ladies. Blessed to be seeing who they’re [and] how they liked me. Seeing past the bodily,” she stated. “It’s the center, character, goals [and] the connection that turns into the premise of my relationship.”
Miel Pangilinan
Picture: Instagram/@mielpangilinan
Miel Pangilinan, the daughter of Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Kiko Pangilinan, marked her first Pleasure Month as “overtly and publicly queer” in 2022.
Miel described such a second as an “emotional and liberating time” for her, additionally crediting her household and family members for displaying her nothing however love as she “[grew] and explored [her] personal gender and sexual id.”
“[It] solely feels proper that I submit this on the level I’m in now the place I’m snug sufficient in who I’m and who I like and the way I select to current. It’s type of a full circle second for me, in a manner,” she informed the general public on the time.
Klea Pineda
Klea Pineda. Picture: Instagram/@kleapineda
Kapuso actress Klea Pineda got here out as homosexual on her twenty fourth birthday in 2023—a call she considered the bravest one she had made to this point.
“Alam ko mahirap at nakakatakot, however please know na walang mali sa atin at walang kulang sa atin kahit pa magpakatotoo tayo. Marami man ang manghusga, mas marami pa rin ang tatanggap at magmamahal sa’yo nang buong-buo. Simply be the person who your youthful self could be happy with,” she addressed these struggling to return to phrases with their sexuality.
A day after her revelation, Pineda launched to the general public her girlfriend, actress-model Katrice Kierulf, with whom she had been in a relationship for over a 12 months on the time.
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Katrice Kierulf (left) and Klea Pineda. Photos: Magic Liwanag through Instagram/@kleapineda
“Any longer, I wish to stay my life fearlessly. Sana samahan [niyo] ako sa paggawa ng sarili kong kwento na alam kong tunay na magpapasaya sa akin,” Pineda addressed her followers. “Let’s unfold love and empowerment, everybody! And at all times bear in mind, #LoveIsLove.”
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