Back After a Break & Some New Toys!
Welcome back to the Sherwin M Podcast! I’m Sherwin. It’s been a few weeks since the last episode – work projects have kept me super busy (hoping to deploy a big one in July!). But I found some time to record, so here we go with Episode 11!
Quick updates: I picked up a couple of new gadgets recently!
- 12.9″ iPad Pro (2017): Got the new model with the Apple Pencil after seeing the WWDC demo. I’m hoping to use it for sketching out ideas in my web design/development workflow. So far, so good!
- DJI Spark Drone: My friend Jeff (from JB Tech) “encouraged” me (haha), and I grabbed one. It’s incredibly fun and much easier to fly than the cheap drones I’ve tried before. Just starting to play with it.
I wrote a bit more about these on my blog if you’re interested: sherwinm.com.
Episode Focus: Bahaghari (Rainbow) & Pride Month
Today’s episode is called Bahaghari, which is Tagalog for Rainbow. I’m recording this in late June 2017, which is Pride Month, celebrating the LGBT community.
(Disclaimer: This episode isn’t about condemning or persuading anyone regarding LGBT issues. I just want to share some personal experiences and stories related to the community from my perspective as a Filipino American, hoping to foster understanding. If this topic isn’t for you, feel free to skip this episode.)
Understanding Pride Month & The Rainbow Flag
I got curious about the origins:
- Why June? According to Wikipedia, June was chosen for Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which happened at the end of June 1969 and were a major turning point in the fight for LGBT rights.
- The Rainbow Flag: Designed by artist and activist Gilbert Baker in 1978. His original flag had 8 stripes, each with a specific meaning:
- Hot Pink: Sex
- Red: Life
- Orange: Healing
- Yellow: Sunlight
- Green: Nature
- Turquoise: Magic/Art
- Indigo: Serenity
- Violet: Spirit (Modern flags typically have 6 stripes, but it’s cool to know the original symbolism!)
My Filipino American Experiences with LGBT Friends & Culture
Growing up Catholic, I’m aware of the traditional religious views on homosexuality. However, I was fortunate to be raised without prejudice and always approached differences as learning opportunities. Here are some memories:
- My Earliest Memory (The Sports Game): Around age 5 in Manila, my uncles had me watch a sports game (basketball or volleyball?) on TV. They were cracking up laughing. Looking back, I think the players were all gay men, and my uncles found their movements humorous or stereotypically “feminine.” I didn’t understand it then, but it was perhaps my first exposure.
- Family Story: My Cousin Kuya Jong: One of the first people I knew personally who was gay is my cousin, maybe 10 years older than me. He hid it for a long time because, especially back then in the Philippines, being gay faced strong disapproval due to cultural and religious beliefs. I heard sad stories about his father (my uncle) being ashamed and trying to “beat the gay out of him.” Despite this, my cousin was always a kind, responsible, caring person, especially to his siblings. While some older relatives disapproved, my generation of cousins accepted him. Someone once yelled “Bakla” (Tagalog for gay, potentially derogatory) at him on the street, and the story goes my cousin chased him down and beat him up! Even though everyone knows him as “Jinky” now, I still call him “Kuya Jong” out of respect – he’ll always be my older cousin first. We still hang out and party when I visit. His story always makes me question the hate some people direct towards the community.
- A Social Observation from My Single Days: Quick tip from my past: Gay men often have gorgeous female friends! Hanging out with my gay friends back in the day was always a blast – great people, fun times, and yes, often surrounded by beautiful women!
- The Infamous Pre-Wedding Haircut Story: Right before marrying Abby, I met her cousin “Wat” in the Philippines. Needing a haircut, he insisted on taking me to his guy. He gave me a sly look and said something like, “Just roll with it.” We go in, and the barber is clearly gay. No big deal. But as he’s cutting my hair, he starts getting very flirty – massaging my shoulders, squeezing my arms, complimenting my physique. I look over at Wat, who’s just grinning. The barber’s hands start wandering lower… down my chest… Then, as he finishes, he playfully grabs my crotch area and declares the haircut is “on the house”! I just burst out laughing, totally caught off guard. Wat and his friends were cracking up too. It was such a bizarre, funny experience – reminded me of comedic scenes in Filipino movies! I wasn’t offended; it was all in good fun, though definitely memorable!
Reflecting on Acceptance and Discrimination
It’s disheartening to hear about discriminatory bills targeting the LGBT community (mentioned happening in some US states around the time of recording). Having known and loved gay friends and family, it just doesn’t make sense to me. To anyone facing discrimination, please keep your heads up.
Filipino Slang & Terms for LGBT Folks
Language reflects culture, and Tagalog has various terms, some neutral, some slangy, some potentially offensive depending on usage:
- Bahaghari: Rainbow
- Bakla: Gay (can sometimes be used derogatorily, like ‘[ __ ]’)
- Becky: Common slang often used interchangeably with Bakla.
- Tibo / Tomboy: Lesbian (I suspect Tibo derives from Tomboy).
- Bading: Another term sometimes used for gay men (Google says ‘fairy’?).
- Malande: Flirty, flamboyant (can apply to anyone, but sometimes used in this context).
Final Thoughts for Pride Month
Just wanted to share some personal stories and perspectives during Pride Month. Everyone deserves respect and the right to be themselves.