treasures indeed

I read about the Lakan at Mutya ning San Fernando 2010 coronation night over at Pinoy Hunks Unlimited. Convincing Dalumat (who actually didn't needed much convincing past a simple text message asking if he wanted to go), we got into the car and drove north. Were we ever glad that we did.

Paraphrasing San Fernando's mayor during his speech, the youth and their beauty are indeed one of Pampanga's treasures.






*1, 6 and 8 were my top 3

the fugly truth

While watching Showtime the other day, I happened to see Vice Ganda, one of the hosts, practically bite Tado's head off, who is a guest judge, for making what could be interpreted as a homophobic remark (McVie actually wrote a very well written analysis on this, go read it if you want to know more about what happened). As I was watching this unfold, I nodded in silent agreement partially to what Vice was doing but mostly to a theory I have long been holding on to.

Now before I go on, let me say that this statement is going to be grossly over-generalizing. I do not claim this to be any other than a personal belief. There are of course going to be exceptions to this rule, the way I see it though this is mostly 80% accurate and here it is:

Fugly men hate gay men and are almost as homophobic as a closeted gay guy who hasn't come to terms with his homosexuality, they also have the tendency to be the 'daot' of the group. Ok, maybe hate is a strong word, at the least disagreeable.

Think about it. Have you ever been invited to go out drinking with a group of straight guys that know you are gay or more accurately because you are gay? Of course, the reason they invited you drinking is because you are expected to treat them to a few rounds of beer. Of course the guy who invited you is the cute one that is your type, and of course he knows that the trade off for inviting you over and treating them is a trick. Everyone knows this, his friends knows this, the tindera knows this, heck the neighborhood dog knows this. So what is the problem? Nothing really but just keep your eye on the fugly one. Because even though usually he is the most opposed to the idea of inviting you over for drinks, he will be the one always goading the cute one to ask you for more drinks and food. Not only that, but when it is time to collect your trick for your treat, he will be the one saying "No, one more round." or "No, walang iwanan. Inuman pa."

Watching Tado, and hearing Vice read out loud his now infamous shirt. I nodded even more in agreement to my self-proposed theory. Sad really. This made me recall an incident way back in college while out with a group of straight friends where a fugly guy made this remark in a moment of frustration, "Ano ba naman yan! Pokpok na nga ayaw sa akin pati na rin ang mga bakla ayaw sa akin!" (What the hell! prostitutes don't want to have sex with me, even gay men don't want to have sex with me). As if gay men are happy with putting anyone's cock in their mouth.

Why do fugly men hate us so much? Because even gay men, who they aren't interested in at all, can't be bothered with them as well. Oh the horror, to be refused by someone who you are not interested with in the first place. So why be the 'daot'? Why keep pushing the cute guy in the group to ask for more stuff? Because, unlike the cute guy, he doesn't know when he will be able to get a free lunch/ drink/ meal. Unlike the cute guy, he won't be given an additional 'tip' to which he can buy his own drinks and food the next day. Unlike you, the gay man, he has to be contended with pleasuring himself. Insults of insults.

Queeriosity: May FMP

the gangsta-parlorista relationship

DJ Brian Cua asked this in twitter earlier today, "@lobster_tony what do you think of the song Dagtang Lason - Nagmamahal Ako Ng Bakla?"

He follows it up by asking this as well, "but dont you think papatol lang sila bec of money? i mean, i think that's the msg the song is saying..." and "but i'd give props for tolerance - plus the fact it's a youtube sensation song!"

If you haven't seen or heard the song (where have you been?) Here it is....

What do I think? I think its GREAT! Is it really a backhanded comment trying to say that gay men only can get other men through money? No.

What I like about the song is that it is a great example of the gangsta-parlorista (excuse me for the use of stereotypes and pigeonholing, I only use it for instant recognition and understanding) relationship in the Philippines. Unlike in the US where most of the gangsta raps about gay men are homophobic. We have here quite the opposite. Sure it may not be about gay men loving other gay men, but it is about msm (men having sex with other men). To be specific it is about gay-for-pay loving. The first one to actually verbalize this kind of loving as far as I know.

So what is this gangsta-parlorista relationship? This is part of the underground economy of boys and is actually quite prevalent if one briefly observes the parlors or other usual gay haunts in the slums or in the provinces. One would notice that a lot of boys turn in tricks to earn a buck or two from the willing parlorista. In fact, the gangsta themselves would often bring a new guy who had joined their ranks to the gay man. Sometimes as a sort of initiation for the new guy, often their leader acting as the pimp. The gay man's responsibility? To provide drinks to the rest of the gang while the *ahem* transaction is being conducted. After which the earnings of the guy would then also be used to further fuel their drinking session into the wee hours of the morning. It is an interesting dynamic to be sure. Questionable? Maybe, but nonetheless interesting don't you think?

hilom: Jericho

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harvest worthy

while most tourists and sightseers look at the gaily decorated houses of the Pahiyas festival, I prefer to feast my eyes on other harvest (pahiyas or payas literally means harvest) worthy things.

the bakla season of economics

There are seasons when people are prone to spending more. For most everyone there is christmas... for parents there is the enrollment period... How about for gay men though? Is there a specific time when we part with our cash more easily? I would say yes. It is all a matter of age, interest, purpose and profile. Here are some common and basic profiles that one can easily spot almost everywhere.

The student
Their income is dependent on their parents and the allowance given to them. Summer time is dead to them. No classes means no allowance and therefore no money to spend. Although some 'enterprising' students have ways to earn throughout the summer, this is mostly inconsistent and just enough for a gimik or two. Usually 'the student' have a symbiotic relationship with 'the bookingera' and 'the sponsor'.

Haunts: the mall, the basketball court, the neighborhood sari-sari store, a classmate's house

The bookingera
All year round the bookingera save and spend to drive the underground economy of boys. Summer time though is a particularly busy time for the bookingera. Not that they have to work hard for a 'booking', but rather it is the opposite. There are so many boys, especially 'the student', that vie for their attention during this time that they have to work doubly hard to earn more cash to 'book' their favored guy. Their motto? So many boys so little time (and money).

Haunts: the mall, the basketball court, bars

The sponsor
The sponsor is the polar opposite of the bookingera. They do not go for quantity but rather the subjective quality that they look for in a guy. These are the people that take in a guy under their wing and answer for the boy's expenses. This could sometimes include the much coveted 'scholarship'. You won't see these guys out and about during enrollment period as they usually have a hole in their pockets around this time.

Haunts: the office, at home, massage parlors, the mall

How about you guys, can you think of any other profiles?

Fabcast: the paminta edition (conclusion)

the last two parts of the fabcast. Listen and enjoy!




Part 3:

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Part 4:

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sorely lacking

"Based on our surveys we estimate that there are 6000+* men who have sex with other men in the city in the median range." Of course this caught my attention and I look up from my desk to the projected numbers on the wall. I am perplexed with the number. Surely they can't believe that this is right.

"Excuse me, what does this number represent again? Gay men in a district in the city?" as I raise my hand and ask, surely that would make it more sensible.

"No. Men who have sex with other men inside the city.", the doctor continues.

"I see, really? Now just to clarify, this number is the city governance's estimation of not just gay men, but rather even all men, straight, bi, married, what-have-you, who might be paid or not, who have sex with other men in the whole CITY and not just A district?" I ask almost with a smirk on my face.

"Well, if you want to add yung mga tago. What other people call closeted, discreet and possibly those who are married...", she taps on his laptop to show a new number, ".... this is what we believe to be the high estimation for MSM (men having sex with other men), 11,000+*" I look down at the desk and try to supress my laugh. There are 15 people in the meeting right now and 3 of them are gay, 2 were sex workers and the doctor delivering the study looks like the stereotypical teacher-old-maid (altho I know she isn't) just adds to the humor of the scene.

Though despite the humor... there is an underlying concern. This number represents how much the governance is oblivious to the real amount of not only MSM but probably sexually active adults. Which translates to lack of budget for proper sex education, healthcare and social services. Not so funny anymore huh.

*these are rounded off figures of the estimation presented to us at a city's STD/AIDS council meeting since I can't remember the exact figures.

summerboys BTS teaser

a "summerboys" behind-the-scenes teaser excerpt:
Marco
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Fabcast: the paminta edition

What do you get when the fabcasters spontaneously meet up and have a drink or two? Sometimes it's better not to find out. CC plays host to Migs, McVie, Gibbs, Jonas and myself... in this crazy episode.



Part 1:

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Part 2:

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