Philippines
Heroes of the pandemic: Ryan Sta Maria, resilient & bighearted
The COVID-19 that paralysed much of the globe since early this year brought death and untold misery to many. But it also brought to light community heroes whose stories bring joy into our lives amidst all the bleakness. One of those is Ryan Sta Maria whose resilience and bighearted nature makes him one of our …
Joseph Scott Pemberton pardoned for murder of trans woman
President Duterte of the Philippines yesterday issued a pardon for US marine Joseph Scott Pemberton. A court sentenced Pemberton to 10 years jail in 2015 for the murder of trans woman Jennifer Laude. Pemberton murdered Jennifer Laude in a motel room near a former US navy base northwest of Manila. Jennifer met him on a …
Davao City Mayor recruits LGBT+ for COVID food distribution
Faced with corrupt officials giving away emergency rice supplies, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte called on the local LGBT+ community to help. Davao City is on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. The mayor said she chose the LGBT+ community because as people subject to marginalisation they understood the need for inclusion. “We needed to do …
Duterte appoints trans woman Dindi Tan to Philippines govt
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte last week appointed a trans woman to a position in his government. He made prominent LGBTIQ activist Dindi Tan director of the Department of Agrarian Reform. She formerly served as the department’s assistant director. Dindi Tan, LGBTIQ Activist Dindi currently heads the LGBT Pilipinas Party-list as National Secretary-General. She was previously …
Filmmaker Samantha Lee on why we need more queer rom-coms
Queer Filipino filmmaker Samantha Lee wants to change the way we see LGBTIQ representation in film. Born and raised in the Philippines, Sam says she uses the country’s conservative culture to inform her queer characters. Her most recent film, Billie and Emma, is set in the Philippines in the mid-1990s and follows a pregnant teenager …
President Rodrigo Duterte ‘cured’ himself of being gay
In his latest bizarre comments right-wing president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, claimed he “cured” himself of his previous gayness. Filipino news site Rappler reports Duterte made the bizarre comments on a trip to Japan. The president mocked political opponent Senator Antonio Trillanes IV during a speech, saying his movement betrayed his homosexuality. He claimed …
Gay ‘King of the Catwalk’ paid by Brunei to mend image?
Openly gay Filipino social media influencer Sinon Loresca flew to Brunei a few days ago. Loresca is a model and social media influencer. He posted a photo of himself at an airport in a revealing blue gown, high heels and tiara, writing, “On my way to Brunei.” Once in Brunei, the King of the Catwalk …
PHOTOS: Janjep Carlos from the Philippines crowned Mr Gay World 2019
Janjep Carlos from the Philippines has been crowned Mr Gay World 2019. The 41-year-old is vice president of a realty firm and was announced as this year’s winner of the annual pageant at a ceremony held in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 4. Carlos succeeded last year’s winner, Perth chef Jordan Bruno, who was …
Pietro Boselli on shirtless tour of the Philippines
It’s time to check in with maths teacher turned model Pietro Boselli and his holiday in the stunning islands of the Philippines. The 28-year-old Italian hunk posted a 15-minute travel diary of his adventures to YouTube. Thankfully, he spends a lot of time shirtless. He takes a dip in the pool, does a spot of …