Gay-Themed Movies From the Philippines

Read reviews of these DVDs at Amazon.com

CLICK ON A PICTURE!

Doubt / Duda (2003) starring Andoy Ranay and Paolo Gabriel written and directed by: Crisaldo Pablo nominated Best Director at the 2004 New York Asian American Film Festival and the Barcelona International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival runtime: 120 minutes a critically acclaimed independent film about the relationship of a gay couple in the Philippines

Macho Dancer (1988) w/ Allan Paule, William Lorenzo, Daniel Fernando, Jaclyn Jose, Princess Punzalan, Bobby Samo, Joel Lamangan, Lucita Soriano, Charlie Catalia, Anthony Taylor & Johnny Vicar directed by: Lino Brocka screenplay by: Ricky Lee runtime: 125 minutes the ultimate Lino Brocka classic about sex, violence & corruption in the underbelly of Manila

Midnight Dancers (1995) w/ Alex Del Rosario, Gandong Cervantes, Lawrence David, Perla Bautista & Ryan Aristorenas directed by: Mel Chionglo screenplay by: Ricky Lee runtime: 100 minutes three brothers from Cebu enter Manila's sex industry to work as "sibak"

Burlesk King (1999) *low availability* w/ Rodel Velayo, Joel Lamangan, Leonardo Litton, Cherrie Pie Picache, Raymond Bagatsing, Elizabeth Oropesa & Nini Jacinto directed by: Mel Chionglo screenplay by: Ricky Lee runtime: 109 minutes story of an Amerasian and his friends from Olongapo eking it out in the gay nightclubs of Manila

How to say "gay" in Tagalog

In the Philippines in the past, only "flamboyant" homosexuals were recognized as being gay and were called bakla. Stereotyped bakla homosexuals openly work in beauty parlors and in the creative industries of fashion and entertainment, such as as talk show hosts, female impersonators, writers, directors and comedians. Easily recognized by their use of makeup and cross-dressing, they have long been part of the Filipino cultural landscape; everyone knows of at least a few bakla people.

Only in recent years has there been some understanding that there also exist outwardly straight-looking men who have a preference for same-sex relationships. Previously, straight men in homosexual relationships were not called bakla and were assumed to be with their bakla partner solely because of financial reasons.

With greater political self-awareness, the widely-used term bakla has developed slightly derogatory connotations for some. A somewhat milder, slang term for bakla is bading. Effeminate men and homosexuals in general are called binabae ("of a womanly sort"), from the Tagalog word babae, which means "woman." Coming out of the closet is paglaladlad ng kapa (unfurling the cape).

Lesbians are called tomboy and are usually referred to as such only if they are obviously butch. The lesbian counterpart of binabae is binalaki ("of a manly sort"), from the Tagalog word lalaki, meaning "man."

The Malate area in Manila is widely known as a gay district and a center of gay culture in the Philippines. A gay-pride parade is held there every year in July.

Famous GLBT personalities in the Philippines:

Renee Salud, fashion designer to the stars
Jose "Pitoy" Moreno, fashion designer to the stars
Ricky Reyes, hairdresser to the stars
Jun Encarnacion, the deceased beautician to the stars who had a wife and children with her

Lino Brocka, critically-acclaimed director of Macho Dancer (1988) who died in 1991
Mel Chionglo, director of Burlesk King (1999) and Midnight Dancers (1994)
Maryo J. de los Reyes, director of Magnifico (2003)
Ishmael Bernal, award-wining director
Soxy Topacio, director
Elwood Perez, director

Rustom Padilla, actor who came out of the closet in 2006
Ogie Diaz, gossip columnist and TV host
Boy Abunda, journalist and TV host
Aiza Seguerra, actress and singer

Ricky Lee, critically-acclaimed screenplay writer of Burlesk King (1999)