From Gay Liberationist Movement to Gay Empowerment?

Unlike before, gay liberationist movement in the present is already accepted by the society. We cannot completely disregard the negative connotation of gay people as men hunters, perverts, but these successful gay men prove that like straight men, they can also be fulfilled individuals.

Gay Lingo Dictionary

Anik / Anetch — ano (what) / which
Balaj — balahura (shameless)
Bitter Ocampo — malungkot (sad) / nagngingitngit (fuming mad) / bitter
Baklah / Baklush — used instead of one’s name, may refer to any gender
Givency / Janno Gibbs / Debbie Gibson — bigay (to give)
That’s Entertainment / Anda / Andalucia / Anju / Anjo Yllaña — datung (money)
Fatale — sobra (excessive) / to the max
Feel / Fillet o’ Fish — type / gusto / natipuhan (like)
Fly — alis (leave)
Forever — palagi (always) / matagal / mabagal (slow)
Pagoda Cold Wave Lotion — pagod (tired)
Washington / Wishing / Wish — wala (nothing or none)
Chanda Romero — tiyan (tummy)
Mahalia Jackson — mahal (expensive)
Kuya Germs — madumi (dirty) / bearer of germs
Lucresia Kasilag — lukaret / baliw (crazy)
Lucita Soriano — loser na sorry pa
Luz Valdez — matalo (to lose)

Winnie Santos — manalo (to win)
Award — pinagalitan / pinagsabihan (reprimanded)
Freestyle — slow makagets (to understand) / slow
Imbey / Im — imbyerna (irritation)
Jowa / Jowabelles / Jowabella — karelasyon / BF or GF
Kape / Capuccino / Coffeemate — magising ka sa katotohanan (be realistic)
Lupita Kashiwahara — malupit (cruel)
Rita Gomez — nakaka-irita (irritating personality)
Enter the Dragon / Entourage — pasok (to enter) / come in
Julie Andrew / Jolina Magdangal — mahuli (caught in the act)
Antibiotic — antipatika (bitch)
48 Years / 50 Golden Years / 10,000 — matagal (after a long time)
Crayola — iyak (to cry)
Thundercats / Chandeliers / Masyonda — matanda (old people)
Wrangler — gurang (also means old)
Jubis / Juba — taba (fatso)
Jutay / Jutes — maliit (small)
Kangkang — sex
Reyna Elena — ulan (to rain)

X-Men — dating lalaki (formerly a man) now gay
Morayta / Murriah Carrey — mura (cheap)
Pamintang Durog / Pamenthols — closet gays / acting as men
Backstreet Boys — cute boys at the back
Chiminey Cricket — chimay (maid)
Goodbye Suklay — goodbye
Fayatollah Kumenis — payat (skinny)

Anaconda — ahas (a snake) / traitor
Anong petsa na? — asked when someone is taking too long to dress up, etc.
Charing/Tienes — jest / a joke / not serious
Kaplang — mali (error) / mistake
Barbra Streisand / Barbara Perez — bara / binara (bluntly rejected)
Regal Drama Hour / Maalala Mo Kaya — when someone tells a sob story
_______, ikaw ba yan? — when someone acts like another
person, maybe a showbiz personality or not. (example: Vilma Santos, Ikaw Ba yan?)
Purita Kalaw — walang pera (broke) / mahirap (poor)
Rica Peralejo — mayaman (rich, from the Spanish word rica)
Chova / Chovaline Kyle — chika lang (small talk)
Cookie Chua / Cookie Monster — magluto (to cook)
Clasmarurut / Klasmarurut — classmate
Cynthia Luster — hindi kilalang babae o lalake (unknown she or he)
Daot — insulto (insult)
Eksena / Eksenadora — mahilig pumapel / mahilig sumabat (someone who always likes to figure in a scene)
Emote — mag-inarte pa rin (one who is over-acting)
Karir/Career — sineryoso ang isang bagay like BF or work (to be seriously involved)
Lafang — kain (eat)
Lapel — malakas ang boses (someone with a loud voice)
Carry / Keri / Cash & Carry — sige (OK or alright)
Cathy Dennis — “makati” (frisky) or promiscuous
Char / Charot / Charing / Charbroiled — not ok
Liberty / Statue of Liberty — libre (free)
Okray — paninirang puri (criticize)
Lucky Home Partner — live-in partner
In Fairness — pampalubag loob (to console)
Compared to Lugaw — kesa wala (better than nothing)

Gayspeak, instead of looking at it as an entirely informal or colloquial language, it is also a proof of their creativity and wits, on how they could amazingly invent or associate words that only these gay people can think about. This is a way of resisting on the image of gay people as a whole. For those who are anti-gay, this is a different way of viewing them. They are still human, they could also be wrong sometimes. They do have feelings, capable of loving and they also get hurt. Their only dilemma is that they are women trapped in men’s body.

The University of the Philippines Babaylan

The University of the Philippines Babaylan is the leading gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) students'organization in all campuses of the State University, at the same time maintaining national and international linkages and presence.

The Organization's views on major issues in the community, particularly as they affect the lives of Filipino lesbians and gays are heard and treated as the stand of the LGBT community of the University. It empowers them by educating them on their rights as members of society and accordingly, teaching them how to assert their rights.


References:

http://www.hidecodesgalore.org/philippines-f31/gay-lingo-dictionary-xd-t920.htm

http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=UP_Babaylan

Alpha Female

Alright, I will give you guys this song. I must say this is quite entertaining. The melody is awesome. The lyrics are hilarious. This is sung by a group known as Young Men (YM).

This song tells of a man who had been battered by his woman partner. He suffered all kinds of unimaginable physical pains. This is quite interesting because we get a woman who is almost like a man because she was able to inflict those kind of tortures to the man.

To put it simply, the man was weak. The woman was strong, OVERLY STRONG, I must say (lol).  

Mas mahal na kita ngayon, higit pa kesa noon
Mas mahal na kita ngayon, at sa habang panahon
Wala akong pakialam sa 'king nakaraan
Kahit na ako'y pinagtatawanan
Ang mahalaga'y mas mahal na kita ngayon
Dahil...

Di mo na 'ko tinutulak sa'ting hagdanan
Di mo na nilalagyan ng lason ang ulam
At sa gabi pag ako'y tulog nang mahimbing
Di mo na ako tinatakpan ng unan
Di mo na sinusubsob ang mukha ko sa kalan
Di mo na 'ko sinisipa sa 'king harapan
At mas makinis na rin ang balat sa dibdib
Dahil hinding hindi mo na 'ko pinakukulam
Ang hapdi at kirot ng sinapit ko noon
Di ko na ramdam pagkat mas mahal na kita ngayon

Mas mahal na kita ngayon
'Wag ka nang magtatanong
Basta't mahal na kita ngayon
Yan ang lagi kong tugon
Kahit di mo nakikita o nararamdaman
Ang aking tuwa ay walang paglagyan
Ang alam ko lang mas mahal na kita ngayon
Dahil...

Di mo na pinapakain ng para sa pusa
Di mo na pinipitik ang mata ng pigsa
At pag sinabi mo sa 'king damit ko'y maganda
Di na masyadong malakas ang iyong tawa
Di mo na 'ko pinasisinghot ng paminta
Di mo na nilalagyan ng langgam sa tenga
Hindi na kulay dugo ang aking paningin
Dahil hindi na hinihiwa ng blade sa mata
Ang hapdi at kirot ng sinapit ko noon
Di ko na ramdam pagkat mas mahal na kita ngayon
Ang mahalaga'y mas mahal na kita ngayon
Dahil...

Di mo na kinukwentong satanista ako
At ang nanay ko'y nireyp ng isang maligno
Nabawasan na rin ang bukol sa ulo
Dahil hindi mo na'ko pinapalo ng tubo
'Di mo na pinapalayas ng nakahubo
'Di mo na pinapaligo ng bagong kulo
Medyo hindi na rin ako nagmumukhang bungo
Dahil hindi mo na dinodonate ang aking dugo
Ang hapdi at kirot ng sinapit ko noon... howohuwohuwo
('Di ko na ramdam pagkat mas mahal na kita ngayon)
Kahit nasan ka man mas mahal na kita ngayon
Ang cute mo naman bagay ka sa iyong... ataul...
Hay salamat! 

Funny? Funny?

Hell yes!

Wanted: Life Partner

I read that Gloria Steinem advised women that they should "strive to become like the men that they had always wanted to marry." (I got this from Eat Pray Love which I just finished reading a week ago.) I like the idea of being someone you'd want to marry. It's kinda like what Ghandi said about being the change you want to see in the world. If I do decide to get married someday, I'd want to be with someone who's living a life of passion and purpose, someone who loves the Philippines fiercely, someone who's smart, independent, and grounded. I hope to be like that too.

BUT THEN I also thought, WHAT IF men also strive to be the women they want to marry? I guess (and correct me if I'm wrong) men want women who can become doting mothers and wives. Women they can have good conversations with. Women they can establish a solid friendship with. Women they can have good sex with? (Ken, being the only male in our class, do enlighten me on what men want.) But I also think men should be ready to become doting fathers and husbands. Men should be willing to stay home when wives make plans. Men should bring their kids to school and help them do their homework. Men should also be loving, affectionate, giving, and patient--adjectives we usually associate with femininity. I think it's possible. I'm a huge fan of the Ick-Guzman marriage, and I remember Ma'am Ick telling me that sometimes her husband turns down roles because he needs to stay home with the kids. Ma'am Ick said that her husband says, "Ang mga excuse ng mga matrona, excuse ko rin." Pak. That's love.

Dagtang Lason in the House, Homies!

I first heard this song late last year. It was hilarious. I was having a major last song syndrome. It was stuck in my head for weeks. I remember my mother throwing me deathly glares every time I would sing or RAP (lol) this out loud. I must say that when I was able to memorize this (yes I did memorize the whole song), it was pure satisfaction. Well, I think you will all agree that this song is THE B.O.M.B. I will leave it to you guys on how you want to take that statement.

Dagtang Lason first shot to fame was when they released Nagmahal ako ng Bakla on YouTube in 2008. It became an instant hit. Today, it garnered more than 5 million hits (and still counting!). Hailing from Olongapo, the group is composed of singers and composers Buhawi, Kadena and Marbaggz. The song tells the story of the characters who had suffered heartaches and misfortunes with women who were only after their money. They turned to loving gays, who gave them all the love and care, trust and loyalty that they did not received from the women that they have loved.

Let us go into the song, shall we?

Mga tambay lang kami sawa sa babae

May mga babaeng manloloko
Pineperahan lang kami
Kaya ngayon bakla na lang ang aming iibigin
Masarap magmahal ang bakla
Ohh kay sarap... damhin


Simula't sapul ang puso ko ay lagi nang sugatan
Sineseryoso ko bakit ako ang iniwanan
Kaya ngayon nagising na ko sa
Katotohanan na lolokohin lang kami
Ng mga kababaihan


Kaya ngayon napagpasyahan
Na bakla ang aking iibigin
At ipapadama ko na himig na aking
Damdamin sa kanya
Oo nga! At hindi sa isang babae
Dahil ang puso ko ay kanilang sinabutahe
Para bang ako'y isang laruan


Na kanilang tinapaktapakan pagkatapos
Pagsawaan kanilang tatalikuran
It's so unfair kaya bakla na lang
Ang iibigin kaya ngayon pakinggan niyo
Para sa inyo itong awitin.


Mga tambay lang kami sawa sa babae
May mga babaeng manloloko
Pineperahan lang kami
Kaya ngayon bakla na lang ang aming iibigin
Masarap magmahal ang bakla
Ohh kay sarap... damhin


Hinanakit sa babae ang dahilan
Kung bakit nagmahal ako ng tulad niya
Kahit siya ay pangit
At di niya pinagkait at sakin di lumapit
Kaya hanggang ngayon virgin pa ang aking pwit
At alam ko naming wala akong kahati


Di ko siya mabubuntis
Pagkat pareho kami ng ari. Grabe!
Buong buhay niya ay sa akin binigay
Lahat-lahat kanyang inalay
Basta wag akong mawalay sa kanya
Di na kita iiwan kahit na ika'y bakla
Basta't tiwala mo sa akin sing kinang
Ng tala at totoo.
Relasyon natin ay parang ginto
Mahal kita wag lang sana kong magkatulo.


Mga tambay lang kami sawa sa babae
May mga babaeng manloloko
Pineperahan lang kami
Kaya ngayon bakla na lang ang aming iibigin
Masarap magmahal ang bakla
Ohh kay sarap... damhin


Na sulat ko ang kantang to dahil sa galit
Pagkat sa tuwing nagmamahal
Puso ko'y napupunit
Ginawa ko naman ang lahat
Sa kanya inilaan
Binigay ang nais na luho
Pati ang aking katawan.


Pero kapalit nito ay isa palang kataksilan
At nagawa pa niya na ako'y pagtawanan
Kaya ngayon si Len Jack
Ay labis ang pag-iyak
Puso ko'y parang nasagasaan
Ng limang milyong truck.


Siya ay simpleng tumatak
Ang sakit ng natamo
Kaya nagdesisyon tuloy ang puso na laging bigo
Na bakla na lang ang iibigin ko
Di na ko masasaktan nagkapera pa ako.


Mga tambay lang kami sawa sa babae
May mga babaeng manloloko
Pineperahan lang kami
Kaya ngayon bakla na lang ang aming iibigin
Masarap magmahal ang bakla
Ohh kay sarap... damhin


Isang bakla ang iibigin habang buhay
Sa kanya ko lang inalay ang puso kong makulay
Siya ang nagbigay ng tawa at saya
Pag-ibig kong ito sa kanya lang
Lumigaya kesa sa GF ko
Na wala namang pake


Nagmahal ako sa kanya ng wala ng silbi
Kaya sa isang bakla ako ay nagmahal
Kahit sa ibang girl pag-ibig ko ay matumal
Kahit karumaldumal pa ang kanyang pagmumukha
Basta wag niya lang akong gawing kaawaawa
Kaya sa bigo, sa mga babae diyan
Umibig ng bakla nakakalat lang yan diyan


Mga tambay lang kami sawa sa babae
May mga babaeng manloloko
Pineperahan lang kami
Kaya ngayon bakla na lang ang aming iibigin
Masarap magmahal ang bakla
Ohh kay sarap... damhin


Ayoko ng umibig ng kahit na sino pa
Kasi ako sa'yo ay okey na
At ako'y sa'yo na
Basta yung responsibility ay wag limutin
Wala kang ibang gagawin
Kundi ako'y pasayahin, ako sa'yo ay happy
Kasi lagi akong busog
Hindi mo ako ginugutom


'Cause takot kang mabugbog
Sa buhay ko ikaw ang pumapapel na yaya
Pero kahit ganun hndi pagpapalit sa iba
Pero wag kang umasa na sa'kin ka maka-isa
Bago tayo magtabi sa kama magpa-opera
Oh di ba hi-tech?
Tayo ay modern na lover
Pag dumukit ka sa'kin sisigaw ako holdaper!


Mga tambay lang kami sawa sa babae
May mga babaeng manloloko
Pineperahan lang kami
Kaya ngayon bakla na lang ang aming iibigin
Masarap magmahal ang bakla
Ohh kay sarap... damhin


Mga tambay lang kami sawa sa babae
May mga babaeng manloloko
Pineperahan lang kami
Kaya ngayon bakla na lang ang aming iibigin
Masarap magmahal ang bakla
Ohh kay sarap... damhin


WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I do not know to you guys but I LOOOOOOOOVE IT!


KIdding aside, we can find so many gender issues here. Whoever said that this song is cheap, corny, and not intellectual enough will eat their words. The song is full of representations!



1. Women here are deemed as VIOLATORS. Unlike the mainstream perception that sees women as weak beings, we can clearly see that, here, it is quite the opposite. The male characters suffered because of women who were just after money. The women here are so strong that the male characters were practically left traumatized and had to resort to another gender to avoid this kind of women.


2. Men here are WEAK. i think we are well aware that men are typically conceptualized as strong, not emotional. The characters here were used and abused. I think you all get the picture.


3. Gays are the best partners in love. As much as we want to deny it, gays are not wholly accepted in our society. Yes, we mingle and are sometimes friends with them but I think you will all agree with me that most people are still afraid to build an intimate relationship with gays. This song suggest that men can be with them. Although the characters still would not build intimacy with them, the lyrics said that they would if gays would be operated to become a woman.


Hmmm, interesting, isn't it?
DAGTANG LASON FTW!

Queer Commercials on the Rise

Earlier, the concept of the queer gaze was discussed wherein there is fragmentation and focalization of the male body that is suggestive for Filipino male homosexuals. The following commercials can be said to be blatant in their portrayal of the Filipino male homosexual and construe it as something normal and accepted in Philippine society. But what do you think?

A fine lady gets passed up for an even finer man

For canton I would...

As a straight male basketball player, even I found this funny.

You waited too long, bakla! Ayan, naunahan ka tuloy.

The Queer Gaze

If Sara Mills has her male gaze. Our Eng 197 class has the queer gaze. A phenomena that involves the use of physically attractive straight male actors that are focalized and fragmented by the camera which subsequently becomes suggestive for Filipino queer viewers (particularly male homosexuals).

A young Cogie Domingo endorsing a Penshoppe body spray.

Notice the way the camera focuses and shifts its eye on Derek Ramsay's figure.

If one muscly, half naked sweaty guy wasn't enough, they had to put five of them in the same room.

Resisting the Resistance

This series of Colt45 commercials is interesting in that there is an attempt to resist hegemonic masculinity but a few seconds later, this resistance is resisted, in the form of very large bottle of Colt 45 dropping from the sky. Like a big hammer stamping a big fat HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY all over the commercial. This only means one thing, that the stereotype of the macho Filipino man is so deeply embedded in our society's construction of identity that Filipino men all over are pressured to conform to that image. The following videos feature four friends and each one has their own video where one is caught in the act of being a little less macho than they should have been so, well, you just have to see for yourself.

Riza Santos! Leave the fashion advice to the women, tsong. Tingnan mo tuloy.

Lesson learned: don't take any calls (especially from the girlfriend) when watching quality television like UFC with the boys.

Ok, I admit, I'm guilty of this too but for utensils only and I'm still alive so....

Not exactly the best time to wipe down, pards.

Man = Conqueror

There is a common trend in today's TV commercials that feature Filipino men. First, that there is an almost exclusive use of the Filipino leading man. Second, that this Filipino leading man is juxtaposed with over the counter (OTC) drugs such as Paracetamol and the like.

Now, these have implications. First, that the Filipino leading man is being pushed as the ideal image of Filipino men as a whole. That all Filipino men should be, if they aren't already, physically and mentally fit as well as physically attractive (yes, even Pacquiao). Notice also that all of the product endorsers in the commercials below have a goal in mind: to be in top physical condition in order to go about their business being manly men. I label this phenomena as the "conqueror mindset". Men are problem solvers and feel a sense of accomplishment when they overcome or conquer a certain problem. In the course of being manly men, obstacles arise such as muscle fatigue and headache. The use of OTC drugs is a way to conquer these obstacles in order to continue being manly men.

John Lloyd Cruz for Biogesic, a popular brand of Paracetamol.

Manny Pacquiao for Alaxan, a popular brand of Ibuprofen. He's in the process of training to maintain his status as arguably, best pound-for-pound boxer, and he experiences muscle pain so he uses Alaxan to maintain his training form.

Probably the best example of that "conqueror mindset" discussed earlier. Watch the video.

Hero/Heroine

On the Racks

We are all familar with the local magazines that cater to the different lifestyles of men and women in general.  Just basing on the cover, you can see what kind of images the magazine promotes and what kind of lifestyle it 'imposes' on men. It is focused on fitness in terms of having a body closer to the models, with hard-rocking abs or kick-ass muscles. It also contains "guy wisdom" as well as sexual tips or how to please women. The counter part magazine for women Women's Health, contains more or less, the same topics like, weight loss, sex and romance, beauty and style, fitness and diet, how to please men, how to handle stress etc.

Despite the fame of this kind of magazines in the market, interestingly, there are other magazines which cater to another type of readers, the homosexuals, or more specifically, the gay homosexuals.

The ICON magazine obviously caters to gay audience. It talks about issues on sexual relationships of gays with other gays. Everything related to the queer kind of lifestyle.However, despite its position to produce a kind of magazine that is open to homosexuality, it still faces many controversial issues regarding homosexuality. One of the criticisms that the magazine faces is that its focus only on the superficial and stereotypical issues of gays, mainly sexual needs or how to satisfy their partners. Many gay rights advocates believe that it masks the real problems that gay people face in the society;that is discrimination, gay identity, sexual health etc.

OUTRAGE magazine, another homosexual magazine, claims that magazines like this should be concerned about the real issues of the homosexuals, politcally, socially, economically and even personally.

"This coming in the heels of the closure of once-popular Filipino-specific LGBT publications ICON and Generation Pink (GP), and the continuing infamy of semi-pornographic gay publications like Valentino and Coverboy, which leave the local community without its own media. "Gay media, as it developed in the Philippines, focused on the extremes – it was politics versus sex and parties. We used to have a publication for the semi-political in Manila Out, and then, in the likes of ICON, GP, Coverboy and Valentino, we had those largely focusing on more sensationalized, albeit trifle, issues of gay parties and of sex for sex's sake," says Tan, who laments how "we continue failing to merge both, when that is what we should be doing."

Outrage magazines covers issues such as:

-the Filipino gay identity,

-sexual health

-discussions on safer sexual practices and HIV and AIDS

-gay rights
-morality in sexuality
-recreational drugs and their rampant use concerns of gay travelling in the Philippines
-fashion, and reviews of everything LGBT, from party venues to restaurants, and from plays to films.

Other specific topics include:

-Gay entrepreneurship

-Advocates of GLBTQIA (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Queer, Intersex and Ally)
-Armed and Gay
-Drug use issues in GLBTQIA
-Gay homes
-Queer siblings
-Support systems
-Sexual dysfunctions

It's interesting to see how these parties who seem to be on the same side of the racks, to actually have different concerns and issues they raise. It is important to note that homosexuals are also different people coming from different social classes and economic positions, but it is more important to focus on the real issues they experience, which most of the time, are dismissed because of the stereotypes we have on homosexuals.

Coming Out

From the time that this ad hit the billboards at the biggest avenues of Metro Manila, it immediately received many criticisms from different religious and conservative groups. According to them, the ad promotes homosexuality and that it is corrupting to the people especially to the youth.

The ad board received many complaints from different sectors and groups of the society, so they did an immediate action of banning this kind of advertisements.

From: Abdulrahim Janjalani 

Subject: offensive billboard 

To: gigatchalian@gmail.com 

Date: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 10:14 AM

 I am writing to extend my violent vehemence regarding that Glutamax billboard ad on South expressway because it is offensive to public morals, given the implicit sexual message it gives. it normalizes homosexual sex, a propagandistic act to make homosexuality seem natural when it is not. Homosexuality is a gender identity disorder that needs compassion and care and cure, not mindless naturalization and normalization. thanks you! i pray you take down this offensive billboard, or we'd rally entire communities of fervent Catholics against this.

***

Dear Ms. Honrado-Dasig (Head, Ad-Board Standards) 

Pls cause the taking-down of the offensive subject Ad of GlutaMax in the South Expressway. Its sexual innuendo/ suggestiveness is damaging to the morals of the population, esp to the youth.

Thank you. 

Jos S. Sandejas 

Chairman, Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. 

***

Other complaints over the internet went like this:

"This is to complain about the offensiveness of the billboard ad for GlutaMax currently posted on SLEX. I don’t want my kids to see it and ask me what “whiter and gay” means and what that man is doing."

"This advertisement is sexually suggestive, and therefore is unfit for a public advertisement, especially for one which many children and teenagers view. I request that action be taken to remove this as soon as possible, with the corrupting influences which it presents."


This is probably the first ad that went very open about being 'gay' of a person, and also being open to promoting homosexuality. LGBT parties were very appalled by the offensive comments of the conservative groups and this also made them strongly push for a seat of the Ang Ladlad party list in the last election.

DJ Mojo Mojo, the man of the ad, has expressed his sentiments about the issue in his twitter account.

 “Come on, this is the Philippines! GAYS are EVERYWHERE and have been part of PINOY CULTURE since forever. Let’s not fool ourselves, PUHLEEZ!” (mojojo899)

“It’s okay to have gays in pinoy media as comedians singers & such but to have the word “GAY’ in an advertisement, why is that controversial?” (mojojo899)

“LGBTs literally run Philippine Media & Advertising but why is it that they do not stand up for our own rights? Please, make a stand!” (mojojojo899)

After all the issue, he then again came up with another ad, with the same bold statement he is advocating for.

Pinoy Gay Kama Sutra

You may find it very disturbing to very disturbing to see this however, it is also interesting because it shows something very deviant to the heterosexual norm that means only men and women are compatible in bed.

At a level, it is resisting the stereotype that physical intimacy can only happen between a man and a woman and normalizing that the same intimacy can also happen between and among same sexes.
We also see these kinds of men and women intimacy working styles in local magazines but we do not feel appalled and disturbed by it, because it is normal for us to see these things between a man and woman.

In the height of gay liberation movements in the present, many of the people are starting to accept the kind of sexual behavior among the LGBT group.
It reads at the back of the cover,

"Pinoy Gay Kama Sutra also explains the anatomical aspects of acquiring and giving pleasure to your partner. Hear different gay men reveal their thoughts on sexuality and relate factual experiences on having sex."

Gixx Cambri

Wala Akong Pakialam

Are you familiar with the Korean pop group 2NE1? Do you know their song "I Don't Care"? If you know them and that song, are you aware that we have our own Filipino version of the song? Yup, it's yet another "tagalized" song by non-mainstream Pinoy rappers. The Korean and Filipino versions basically say the same thing, but isn't it more interesting to hear how your fellow Pinoys treat the song? 


Curious enough? Then listen to this.

I Don't Care (Tagalog/Filipino Remix)
Rydeen
Beat from: 2NE1

[Chorus]
I don't care eh eh eh eh eh
Iiwanan na kita, wala akong pakeh
I don't care eh eh eh eh eh
Manigas ka dyan, wala akong pakeh
I don't care

[V1]
Di ko makalimutan ang tatak sa t-shirt mo
Bakat ng pulang lipstick at iba ang pabango
Kapag lumalabas, laging off ang telepono
Hindi ako tanga para maniwala pa sayo

Di ako tulad nila, ako'y naiiba
Gawin mo'ng gusto mo, di ka na mahalaga
Pero minahal kita, di mo lang nadama
Di ko na problema kapag mag-isa ka na

Sa ugali mong yan, walang tatagal sayo
Pakinggan mo ako, boy, tandaan mo 'toh

Binigay ko lahat sayo, sinong ginago mo?
Aalis na'ko, di kita kailangan sa buhay ko

[Repeat Chorus x2]

[V2]
Kapag magkasama tayo, sa iba ka nakatingin
Di hawakan aking kamay, ni wala man lang lambing
Sabihin mo sakin kung ano ang gusto mo
You're holdin' on to me, just because sikat ako?

Boy, di mo pa ako kilala ng lubusan
Di ako bulag para magbulagbulagan
At di ako bingi para di ko marinig
Ang usapan nyo ng 'yong kabet sa tabi tabi

Kaya kong maghanap ng iba
May nagkakandarapa sakin
Para ako ay maging sa kanya
Kaya dyan ka na, iiwanan na kita

[Repeat Chorus x2]

[V3]
Wag mo 'kong pigilan
Sa 'king paglisan
'Yoko na sayo,

Ayoko na sayo

Yoko na maging alipin, ma - maging alipin
Sa pagibig mong hindi karapatdapat para sa'kin
kasi, i deserve so much better
and I won't let no playa
Play me for a fool, it aint cool
And di ko na ma-take kaya I've decided
To leave and let you go,
One more thing, eto para sayo, tangina mo

[Repeat Chorus x2]

I'm not a fan of neither 2NE1 nor Rydeen (or rapping as a whole) but the song's not bad, right? It defies a number of things about gender relations. It does not show the martyr woman who's always willing to wait and sacrifice for her lover so they will live happily ever after. It basically says that the girl does not always need a guy to live and go on with life. And in terms of language, it defies the assumption that girls should always be polite and should not use "hardcore" swear words because those are reserved for boys. But tell her to watch her tongue and you'll probably get the finger. 

Stop, Look, and Listen

Rosas ng Digma by Musikang Bayan is a love story set in the midst of a revolution--still following the idea that the way out of the oppressive society is a radical social uprising. The persona here is a man who sings about the woman he loves and her involvement in the revolution. You can listen to the song here and discover why it's in my I-Like playlist.


Rosas ng Digma
Musikang Bayan


Sumibol sa isang panahong marahas
Bawat pagsubok ay iyong hinarap
At hangga't laya'y di pa nakakamtan
Buhay mo'y laging laan

Namumukadkad at puno ng sigla
Tulad mo'y rosas sa hardin ng digma
At di maiwasang sa'yo ay humanga
Ang tulad kong mandirigma

* Ako'y nangangarap na ika'y makasama
Taglay ang pangakong iingatan kita
Ang ganda mong nahubog sa piling ng masa
Hinding-hindi kukupas, di malalanta

Ang kulay mong angkin, sintingkad ng dugo
Nagbibigay buhay sa bawat puso
Tinik mo'y sagisag ng tapang at giting
Sa langara'y kislap ng bituwin

Gaya ng pagibig na alay ko sinta




The man may be the one who exhibits the gaze here, but I do not see the sexual objectification of women and voyeurism  which are usually present in texts under the male gaze. The concept of beauty here is not defined in terms of physical appearance but is instead about the actions done by the woman. She is portrayed to be a strong and resilient character, who manages to stay beautiful (in its own sense) despite the harsh environment she is into.


And for these reasons and more, I love this song. 

Women Singing for Women

Feminism here in the Philippines is closely related not only to the critique of patriarchy, but also of capitalism. To emancipate women is to liberate them from social and economic oppression caused by the hegemonic society. Most of the times, this freedom and change is seen to be achievable only through social revolution--kailangan makialam at makibaka. 


Two key songs of Philippine feminism by Filipino women shown below embody the characteristics mentioned above. Both songs question the assumed passivity and subordination of women and encourages them to awaken and fight for liberation.

The first song is by Susan Fernandez Magno--an alumna of our very own University of the Philippines--and is entitled "Babae Ka". This track's part of her 1990 album Habi at Himig.

The next song is entitled Babae by the female duo Inang Laya, composed of Becky Demetillo Abraham and Karen Constantino David (shown below). Yet again, you may be interested to know that they are also from UP--David is a former professor of UPD, while Abraham is an alumna of the UP Concert Chorus.

Babae
Inang Laya

Kayo ba ang mga Maria Clara, mga Hule at mga Sisa
Na di marunong na lumaban, kaapiha’y bakit iniluluha
Mga babae, kayo ba’y sadyang mahina?

Kayo ba ang mga Cinderella, na ang lalaki ang ang tanging pag-asa
Kayo nga ba ang mga Nena, na hanapbuhay ang pagpuputa
Mga babae, kayo ba’y sadyang pangkama?

Ang ating isip ay buksan at lipuna’y pag-aralan
Pa’no nahubog inyong isipan at tanggaping kayo’y mga libangan
Mga babae, ito nga ba’y kapalaran?

Bakit ba mayroong mga Gabriela, mga Teresa at Tandang Sora
Na di umasa sa luha’t awa, sila’y nagsipaghawak ng sandata
Nakilaban, ang mithiin ay lumaya

Bakit ba mayroong mga Lisa, mga Liliosa at mga Lorena
Na di natakot makibaka, at ngayo’y marami ang kasama
Mga babae, ang mithiin ay lumaya

Ang ating isip ay buksan at lipuna’y pag-aralan
Pa’no nahubog inyong isipan at tanggaping kayo’y mga libangan
Mga babae, ito nga ba’y kapalaran?

Bakit ba mayroong mga Lisa, mga Liliosa at mga Lorena
Na di natakot makibaka, at ngayo’y marami ang kasama
Mga babae, ang mithiin ay lumaya

Mga babae, ang mithiin ay lumaya.

The song presents fictional characters such as Sisa and Maria Clara that are stereotypes of Filipino women and sets them against "real" women like Gabriela, Teresa, Tandang Sora, Lisa, Liliosa, Lorena. These real-life women are the ones who fought and resisted oppression in their own varying ways and means, showing that men are not the only ones who can actively participate in such issues.
A background story on the mentioned characters can be seen in Babae.

The Little Boy is Now A Lady

You're probably familiar with Maxi: the young, effeminate protagonist of the acclaimed independent film Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros. In case you aren't, here's a trailer to acquaint you with the charming twelve year old:




Although the movie's representation of male homosexuality still falls under what one may consider stereotypical, the fact that Maxi is an adolescent renders it fresh—a far cry from the usual, more mainstream films centering on gayness. Instead of dealing with issues on Maxi's sexuality, the movie focuses more on his relationships with the people surrounding him, particularly his family and his love interest Victor, treating his being gay as natural, instead of an issue that needs some dwelling on.

Maxi's home environment is very macho. He lives with three straight men—his father and his two older brothers—who all happen to be archetypally macho. Given these circumstances, one might assume that the family would be against Maxi's homosexuality. This, however, is not the case. All three men show no opposition the their bunso's effeminacy and even make jokes about it by telling him to buy sanitary napkins for himself and calling him sister. The same goes with Victor—the young police officer whom Maxi develops a crush on.

I find it rather curious that the vagueness of Victor's sexuality was maintained throughout the film, making his character a possible resistance to commonplace notions on masculinity, given the close relationship he develops with Maxi.

Vava Vroom No More!

“Real men cry at the luck of winning a free weekend with Cristine Reyes.”

“Colt 45 Vava Vroom real men promo”

    Asia Brewery Inc. is the liquor company that manufactures Colt 45. Ryan Consul, the senior brand manager claimed that the date concept with a celebrity is a “rather common and highly accepted experience most people would aspire.” Furthermore, the weekend getaway with Reyes “simply focuses on the enthralling experience of having a personal interaction with a celebrity,”

    Note that Consul didn’t say “men would aspire”, even though it clearly targets the masculine market. He used “people” instead. The statement consists of linguistic strategies of subtlety, as it does not specify gender for instance. The term “personal interaction” seems to obscure the sexual connotation that the ad associates with the celebrity. He also points out that this kind of advertisement is “common and highly accepted”, it aims to defend its legitimacy within our culture. The word “enthralling” used to refer to the experience of the possible winner is such a vague term from which you can derive a lot of different meanings depending on context. Again, the company's response used strategies of discretion to avoid conflicts and to lighten the obligation attached to the statement.

 

Note that the ad used the words “real men”, “vava vroom”, “winning” and “promo”. Vava vroom is a famous expression of men whenever they see a hot and sexy woman. We can conclude that this is coming from a male focalization that zooms in the sexuality of a woman. Magna Carta for Women released a statement against Asia Brewery Inc. It’s as though Cristine Reyes is a commodity or a prize that men would love to win. She was also being juxtaposed with the promo of Colt45 Ford Truck. The winner would receive both; the truck and Cristine Reyes come as a package. It bolsters up the objectification of women and perpetuates sex stereotypes. Reyes’ identity revolves around her sexuality and is being paired with a truck, a boy toy. PCW shows contempt for this derogatory portrayal of women. It pushes for the promotion of this brand in a non-sexist representation.

The Ultimate Housewife

This is one of the many political ads of Tessie Aquino Oreta for her senatorial candidacy.It tackles the Solo Parent Right: Women even without husbands should be granted parental leave. You would see frail and helpless images of women in some of her ads and we can’t deny that this is the reality for a lot of women in our country. They do not have the courage to go against the stereotypes of a loving mother and housewife , submissive and dependent on their husbands. It owes mainly to the fact that women are not aware of their social rights. This advocacy of Oreta fights against gender discrimination and focuses on women’s worth. Women and men should have equal rights especially within labor unions.

The second ad is the perfect representation of the changing roles and responsibilities of women nowadays. It deviates from the conventions that women always count on their husbands for their own needs. It has been a well-accepted notion that women’s job is simply to create a home and nurture their children. However in present in time, women have become more independent and versatile. In some cases, mothers are the foundation of their families. In relation to Oreta’s campaign, this ad is a justification that indeed men and women should be given the same social privileges. It challenges the stereotypes about women’s social roles and obligations. That is why I find the commercial heartwarming and empowering at the same time. It just shows that women can actually stand on their own.

Beauty vs Power

The following TVC's stand for the different images of women in our country. Let us pay attention to the persona of the commercial models and the way they were represented and associated with the product.

 

Pantene's Most Beautiful

The Pantene TVC features Judy Ann Santos, Claudine Baretto, Ruffa Gutierrez and Gretchen Baretto. The tagline of the ad itself, “Pantene’s Most Beautiful” highlights the notion of beauty. To promote the product, four celebrities were hailed as “Pantene’s standards of beauty” in our country. The ad aims to convince Filipina women that to use Pantene is to be transformed into these models: sophisticated, elegant, famous and rich. Basically, the content focuses on the superficial aspects of beauty.

If we analyze the public images of these characters, two of them are soap opera actresses. Juday and Claudine were often seen crying and being maltreated on TV in the past decade. These prominent images symbolize the powerlessness of a typical teleserye princess; always yielding, very passive. Ruffa Gutierrez on the other hand was a beauty queen and the perfect example of the material girl. Finally, Gretchen Baretto is a socialite who's well known for her glamor fashion. She proudly announced her new pouty lips and botox at that! 

 

Creamsilk's Girl Power

 

The second set of ad features three women who are less famous by far, although quite distinguished in their chosen professions. We have here Lougee Basabas, a rockstar and vocalist of Mojofly, Gaby dela Merced a professional F3 racer and Sophie Cottini, an equestrienne.

The tagline “Girl Power” is very much different from “Most Beautiful”. It focuses on the strength and potential of the models. It doesn’t underscore the exterior aspect of beauty: beautiful hair, fashion and glamour. Instead the commercial highlights the professions of the three models.

It creates a new trend of beauty: funky, independent and self-made women, contrary to the star-like image of Pantene. The concept tries to deviate from the stereotypical feminine representations. “Choose both!”. According to Dorothy Dee, Creamsilk marketing manager, it is an advocacy for women to pursue what they want and be beautiful at the same time.

If you’ve noticed however, they used models with pretty faces and long shiny black hair. They were wearing pink clothes too which is stereotypically associated with the feminine gender. In a sense, despite the efforts to re-contextualize TV ads, it is still difficult to totally dispense with these stereotypes.