Is an LGBT organization relevant in ZaNorte?

“An LGBT organization in Zamboanga Del Norte? What for? Do you have cases or statistics of discrimination based on gender preference or sexual orientation? Is LGBT a marginalized sector in your area? Killings perhaps? Eh mukhang wala naman. I even think that your province is an LGBT friendly area.”

These were the exact statements of a friend after I told her that we are in the initial stage of organizing the LGBTs in the province.

Indeed, I haven’t seen or heard any studies documenting LGBT cases of discrimination or violence here. But personal accounts of such struggles in their families and friends abound. Stories on coming out that pretty much includes depression, insecurities and low self-esteem are common. Some are (in my personal view) cases of rape but are recounted by “victims” in a humorous manner that no one would even distinguish it as an act of violence and coercion. The outing process even entails an expensive means to others since they travel just to unfurl their rainbow colored butterfly wings in other places.

A lot of us may have heard statements such as “Ay, bayot diay siya? Sayang.” Or “Imong masaligan bisan ug bayot.” Or “Kining akong amigo, bisag bayot ni pero…” These words woven into sentences may in its initial context imply something that a gay person could be proud of or at least boost his ego. And the comments may serve its purpose during the time it was spoken. But the subtext is worth exploring. More than what was being said it simply means that being “bayot” is something equated to a disability or something lesser to what a regular or “normal” person is. In an 8.5 harshness level, it was like what I overheard in Pasay walking pass a house which I assume a father was yelling at his son saying “Tang ina ka, bakla ka na nga, addict ka pa!”.

The people of Zamboanga del Norte (and Mindanao as a whole) posses a culture that is sensitive to the emotions of others. We exert an effort not to hurt people’s feelings and try to not to be arrogant or careless in the choice of words even if we are 3 ft. away of wringing the neck of the person in front of us. Unlike other cultures, Manila for one, outright indignation of gay people like shouting “bakla!” to someone just walking in the street for instance can be seen.The downside of the Mindanaoan sensitive attitude however is the loss of emotional outlet to what “regular” people really feel towards and think of lgbt people. They do not want to offend us by saying what they really feel because it is something that may hurt our feelings. But having a highly catholic, conservative and “God-created-Man-and-Woman-only” view of the world, there is something inside them that says, “He is gay and that is wrong.” Or maybe, “I don’t want my son to end up like him.” They just couldn’t say it!

I think, in the west, the killings, the violence, the abhorrence to lgbt people are mere manifestations of what is within their hearts and minds. The people of Zamboanga Del Norte will ultimately be saturated with the culture, ideas and views like the ones in Manila or in the west or Muslim countries. And this is why we need to come in as early as NOW. This is precisely the reason why we need to be visible and start changing the views of the present society before the feelings and thoughts are transmitted into hateful actions. We should educate and exert an effort to counter the stereotypical view of the society that LGBT people are weak and freaks.

I explained my reasons to my friend and ended up by saying, “Well, I am not waiting for a Matthew Shepard in Zamboanga Del Norte.” She answered “O cya cya..What can I do to help?”

- Aleksi

Coming Out Soon: Gay Indie Films

"Roxxxanne" is a new controversial digital movie by Jun Lana. The film tackles cell phone sex scandals and twisted relationship. The new film is said to be Lana's dream project and the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB)approved the movie without cuts. Roxxxanne stars Sheree, Jay Aquitania, Janvier Daily, Hanni Miller and the veteran actress Elizabeth Oropesa.

Opens on February 2, 2008, Saturday, at Robinson’s Galleria IndieSine (will run for 10 days, then will tour to Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Cebu and other locations). Watch the trailer.

"Daybreak" happens entirely in one place: a rest house in Taal, Batangas and only with two characters. In a single narrative time, intending by way of voyeurism, we discover what happens to two men spending one night contemplating whether to break up or continue their relationship. William and JP allow us to know their biggest lies and the biggest truths... two people loving each other, clinging to each other, betraying each other -- trying the fragility of their feelings in only one night.

Memories and dreams, truths and lies, fears and desires, betrayal and honesty, love and hate are all closely entwined in this night.

Starring Coco Martin and Paolo Rivero. Showing on February 13 and 14, 2008 at UP Cine Adarna; February 20 to 26 at Robinson’s Galleria IndieSine; Feb 27 to March 4 at Robinson’s Ermita; and March 5 to 11 at Robinson’s Bacolod. Watch the trailer.

"Ang Lihim ni Antonio" by Lex Bonife (writer) and Jay Altarejos (director). Antonio (Kenji Garcia) is a curious fifteen-year-old boy who is beginning to come to terms with his own sexuality. Although his straight best friend, Mike (Jiro Manio), has been supportive of his coming out, his first sexual conquest has led to the destruction of his friendship with his other best buddy, Nathan. Antonio’s exploration of his identity unfolds as his family begins to break up. His altruistic mother, Tere (Shamaine Buencamino) is in complete denial that his father has already abandoned them.

A shocking tragedy begins to spiral up as Antonio meets his hedonistic uncle Jonbert (Josh Ivan Morales), who becomes the boy’s sexual obsession.

The Director’s Cut Premiere will be at the UP Film Institute / Cine Adarna on February 4, 2008 (Monday). Regular showing will start on February 13 at Robinson’s Galleria, Robinson’s Ermita and Cebu. Watch the trailer.

A Young Immigrant Queer Pinay Tells Her Story

The testimony of Clara Santos (not her real name) about being a young immigrant queer Pinay:

My senior year was coming to an end and I couldn’t wait for it to be over. After those rigorous exams, I finally packed my summer clothes and headed off to the island of Boracay. That was pure fun! All I cared about was my nine full days on the beach under the blazing sun and nothing else.

Then August came.

I was scheduled to fly to the US on the twenty-second. I was thinking, “Hey, I could take a little break, relax, and look for potential colleges while I’m here.” I wasn’t so worried because I knew that I was going to come back after a few months. My friends were crying their eyes out the night before I was scheduled to leave and all I said was, “Ano ba yan?! Todo naman and drama ng mga ‘to! Babalik naman ako after a few months, ‘no! Tama na ang iyak!”

But I never came back.

Separated from my family and friends, I found myself living in a foreign land full of roaming monsters I never knew existed–in the streets, in encounters, in the media, and in the system. Given my limited options, I began to work for minimum wage. I had to force myself to understand everything that was foreign to me. My belief was, “If I just go with the flow, I would be okay. I would survive.”

Read the full article at PinoyCentric.com

It's Sinulog Time!

Even from across the ocean we can feel the rhythm. A recent visit with a local Cebuano group holding its final novena made the feeling even more palpable. It's that time of the year again.

Memories of Uncle Nick Acopiado always come flooding back at times like this. A consummate danseur and artiste, he would have been in his element among the street performers, gyrating to the drums and gongs. He is gone now but the memories will stay forever. So here, in remembrance is Jerrold Tarog's award-winning documentary from last year. Turn up the volume, hit "play" and rock! Pit Señor kang Uncle kini!

Related links:
Official Sinulog Site

Also see:
“Believe” by Bernard Villamor
[ZanortePride/Chicago]

ZanortePride Supporters Organize in Chicago

Chicago supporters of ZanortePride met over dinner at Yes Thai on Wednesday, January 16 and discussed plans to assist the province's newly-organized LGBT alliance.

Inspired by this development, the members held an impromptu election. JayJay Manuelle was chosen President, Vice Presidents are Arnold Margate and Lexie Gallego, Secretary Halle Almirol, Treasurer Ariel Magsayo, Business and Social Manager Bobby Samson. The group's media relations will be handled by Ambibo.com.

The Chicago group is mulling over plans for a benefit event this Fall while awaiting ZanortePride's proposal for their upcoming summer activities. Members fondly recalled the pioneering efforts of friend Philamer Baes and the promise of this reinvigorated initiative.

Cognizant of the home organization's independence and impressive talent pool, their U.S. counterparts issued a challenge: "Impress Us." [Ambibo.com]

More photos.

Post-summit musings

I could at least say that the second summit was a success. The effort of the two week preparation paid off after the whole day activity was brought to an end with the governor as the guest speaker and oath taking of new officers took place.

As much as I wanted the summit to be a loose network of individuals and groups, it turned out to be a structured and a “highly evolved organism” after the election. Their idea is however, easy to comprehend. People still want hierarchy. The need for authority and leaders is I think still culturally embedded in the system. Structure continues to be a fetish. I cannot blame them after all; I am just a part of all of this. This, I have to accept. The output was overwhelming. One particular case was when I found out that a high school guidance counselor attended the summit, paid the registration fee just to see and find out what an LGBT organization looks like. It got me thinking of an idea to create a project solely for guidance counselors in schools...something like…”understanding the LGBT community” thing..

Now that it is on its second year, and I see the population and awareness of the community growing, the organization is now prone to a lot of things. First, power begets jealousy. Second, the organization is prone to be used by other organizations and individuals for their personal gain. Third, it is prone to die if not well nurtured.

Anyway, pragmatism is the way to go. Working with what is practical and what I think, they think would work for them. Let’s just see if this works. (ZanortePride)

Get in the bus - the 2nd LGBT Zanorte Summit

About a year ago, Roger and I went to Manila to attend the Ang Ladlad National convention. It was supposed to be the largest gathering of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgenders (LGBT) all over the country. The event was intended to organize the LGBT force in the Philippines in preparation for the 2007 National Elections where Ang Ladlad vied for a seat in Congress. Election of officers was held and adoption of the Party constitution and by-laws was the top of the agenda. We were invited to represent the southern part of the country. The party paid for my airfare and Roger was reimbursed for his. I was expecting about a thousand or so delegates but the attendees turned out to be less than a hundred. It was pretty disappointing for me pero ok na rin at naka raos ang convention.

Anyway, when we got back, I suggested to my friends that we create our own LGBT organization here. Actually, there was already a gay organization called AlterEgo in Dipolog about a decade ago but it died a natural death. The how and why would entail another blog post. So anyway, I gave them the idea of making it an annual summit for LGBTS all over the province. That was November so the group (Hector, Roger, George and Me) started the painstaking brainstorming on how we could gather people in a span of less than a month for the summit.The 1st LGBT Zamboange del Norte Summit was set on the 29th of December 2006. It was a hell of an experience going around the province talking and convincing people that we know to attend the summit. It was my first time to go around places I’ve heard before but dint have the slightest idea what it looked like. When the world was anticipating the coming of their lord jesus Christ, (meaning December 24) we trekked mountains, rivers, and valleys giving out invitation letters.

The efforts paid off when the attendance turned out to be 110 LGBTs all over the province.

I envisioned the summit to be an annual convening of loose organizations, barkadas, and individuals minus the obligations of pressuring them to do this or that. Except of course for some responsibilities. I wanted it to be more of like a reunion and networking than the usual project 1, project 2, project 3…etc. My objective is to instill unity where every individual’s action is done out of goodwill and not because of their membership to the LGBT community.

I want to see a community amalgamated not because of any obligation but because to unite is already an individual’s reflex.On the 29th of December 2007, the 2nd LGBT ZN Summit will once again be held. I am hoping for the best. These things I do because I believe history has a place for LGBTs and this event similar to the women’s liberation and black and white integration is inevitable and unstoppable. This I believe is the future...and I intend to be a part of it.I may not be a Rosa Parks but at least I'm in the bus. (Reposted by ZanortePride)

Welcome to ZanortePride.com!

This is the official online presence of Zanortepride, the umbrella organization of the LGBT Alliance in Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines.

Drop by often to see what's new.

Daghang salamat!

Zanortepride.com Web Team