DESPITE the ongoing pandemic, many cities around the globe are still celebrating Pride Month, recalling that time in June of 1969 when riots were held by the members of the LGBT community against a controversial police raid of the Stonewall Inn in New York City.
Through the years, the acronym LGBT has been expanded to LGBTQIA+, which stands for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual and/or ally, and the plus sign acknowledges the non-cisgender and non-straight identities that are not included in the acronym.
More and more personalities from different fields are coming out and accomplishing outstanding work in their respective communities.
Niccolo Cosme is a well-loved conceptual visual artist and photographer who has been touching many lives with his many advocacies. A cofounder of the nongovernment organization The Red Whistle, which is on its 10th year in creating awareness and providing support and solutions to the alarming HIV rate in the Philippines. “Our new vision statement is now health, wellness and human rights for all,” he shared, adding that he has just been appointed as the creative director for this active group. “My initial advocacy started with a Headshot Clinic campaign for the World AIDS Day in 2008, and it became an annual project supported by friends and many other celebrities that share our vision.”
He added, “Since the onslaught of the pandemic, our digital platform has been actively raising funds for Covid-19 response for the members of our community, even as we continue to pursue other important causes like women empowerment, climate change, universal child welfare, and collaborating with international organization like the World Wide Fund for Nature.”
Cosme, whose father Caesar is a revered content creator, writer and director for GMA, said that the group’s theme for the Pride celebrations this year is “Tayo Tayo—Stand Up and Rise Together.”
NO NEED FOR POLITICAL COLORS
RS Francisco admitted that he misses being a performance artist. A well-loved actor for film, television and theater, Francisco said that he looks forward to the day when it will be safe again to make movies, act for a TV series, or rehearse for a theater production.
For more than a year now, the businessman and philanthropist has kept himself busy not only running his Frontrow direct-selling company but also finding ways to reach out and be of help and assistance to those who have been heavily afflicted and displaced by the pandemic.
People have been asking Francisco if he has political plans, and he was quick to reply: “I don’t think I am fit to be in politics. We don’t need to be in politics to be able to help and be of service. In general, those who can help, should help, and helping others must be a basic human trait. That’s why I and my partners will continue to do what we have been doing all these years—sharing our blessings, without any political color or leanings. I feel blessed that I can be a blessing to others.”
The only colors Francisco is happy to be associated with are the colors of the rainbow.
“These colors are brightest when care, kindness and equality are all present, where love always wins.”
HAPPINESS IS A DECISION
Television director Jojo Saguin is a proud transwoman. “Joy comes when you are true to yourself and when you accept who you truly are. It makes me whole as a human being,” she said.
Saguin debuted as a director for the daily drama series May Bukas Pa 10 years ago, which became one of ABS-CBN’s most successful shows ever. “I feel that as a member of the LGBTQ+ family, May Bukas Pa was also my little way of spreading the word and sharing the love of God to viewers with the many good values the show advocated.” Saguin is currently calling the shots for a new star-studded series, Marry Me, Marry You.
She told us that she is happy where she works. “I am thankful to ABS-CBN for taking very good care of me as one of its in-house directors. I never had any experiences of discrimination whatsoever in my work place. As the captain of the ship during our shoots and tapings, and working with all kinds of people with different kinds of sexual orientation and preference, I am glad to always get the respect as a trans director, and it is such a wonderful feeling.”
The director’s dream project is an LGBTQ+-inspired series with LGBTQ+ actors in a Filipino setting, with a lot of happy vibes and good values. “A la Pose,” she said.
For someone who has been happily single for eight years now, Saguin believes that it doesn’t take a man to complete her. “I had a bad relationship with a foreigner. I was emotionally battered and couldn’t get out of that state because I guess I loved him that much, too much. Then it dawned on me I had to do something to regain my dignity before I completely lose myself. I think that is why I still feel afraid to commit again.”
If her soulmate comes, Saguin believes that God and the universe will make a way and they will find each other. “If he comes, he comes. I take things a day at a time. Waking up to a new day is always a blessing. Happiness is a decision that we have to make on our own.”