MAXIM: Featuring gays and lesbians

Mocha (front woman of Mocha Girls has been a photo blogger for MAXIM last February. I have seen Mocha and Hershey kiss on-stage but I haven't seen them in a sexy cover shoot like this. It's the first ever Gay and Lesbian issue of Maxim.

In the said issue, you'll expect:

Gays nightout at Classmate
This is about Boy Abunda with other four famous gay men holding a roundtable discussion of gay issues inside a VIP room in Classmate. Boy Abunda was joined by Danton Remoto (writer and activist), Puey Quiñones (fashion designer), Mojo Jojo (Magic 89.9 DJ) and Carlo Tadiar (a magazine editor).

The Curious Case of Binibini Gandanghari
A mock cover of Bebe will appear in the magazine including an open letter addressed to Bebe Gandanghari.

Read more...

My Thoughts About the BB Gandanghari Bloggers Event

I'm sorry that it took me some time to blog about my thoughts about this event when it has already been a week since this happened. The good thing was I was able to at least live blog about it but as promised, my thoughts will be to follow.

To kick off things here, I would like to say that I appreciated the fact that P.O.C (Philippine Online Chronicles) set up an event like this. This was Bebe Gandanghari's way to reach out to the bloggers since she has been visible online. The event was ok but I really couldn't say that it achieved something. Yes, she was liked by everyone (and suddenly became fan boys and girls) butI am saying this because I believe that the LGBT agenda wasn't highlighted. It became some sort of a 'fans day' or a 'press con' for an upcoming movie. I am glad that some of my fellow bloggers (even though they're not "one of us") asked relevant questions that actually highlighted the LGBT issues such as discrimination. It was Mark and I who opened up the LGBT issues and I was even wondering if some of the people there knew what LGBT was. Maybe I was looking for something that I couldn't find and I expected it to become an avenue for it. But, I my expectations were too much. I know that total acceptance of the LGBTs is very impossible in the Philippines (and even the world) but at least some of us bloggers were able to open it up. I actually appreciated Mark in being honest about being one of the homophobics and meeting BB in person sort of opened up his mind a little bit though I know homophobia is not totally gone. This has become a some sort of achievement for me. ;)

Please view rest of the article here.

Read more...

Jay: Showing at SM Cinemas

Cinemalaya Best Picture and Asian Hotshots winner for Best Feature - Jay is currently being shown in SM Cinemas. According to the Facebook event, the movie will be shown until March 4. By the way, they have a promo too. If your name is Jay, you can watch the movie for free. You just need to present your valid ID.

The film stars Baron Geisler (as Jay Santiago), and Coco Martin (as Edward Navarro). The film is directed by Francis Pasion.

"Jay" is about the gay schoolteacher that was brutally murdered in a sex-crime. TV producer, then, convinces the family to shoot Jay's wake and funeral for a reality show. You can read more about its synopsis in their website: JayTheMovie.com.

The title of the film reminds me of the song "Hey Jay" by Eraserheads. I'm not really sure though if the title of the film was somehow inspired by this song.

Read more...

Films to be shown on magnet cinekatipunan this November

Here are the synopsis of the chosen films to be shown at mag:net's CineKatipunan:

D.E.B.S.
Showing Date: November 8, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

“Recruited by the U.S. government for their unique ability to lie, cheat and fight, Amy, Max, Janet and Dominique join an underground academy of secret agents known only as D.E.B.S. these crime fighting hotties set out to save the world and keep their lipstick perfectly applied while doing so. Now the girls must combine their skills for their most important mission -- to capture vexing vixen Lucy Diamond, the deadliest criminal the world has ever known. When D.E.B.S. star player, Amy, falls for Lucy, chaos erupts and the D.E.B.S. loyalty is put to the test.”

Winner of Berlin International Film Festival Reader Jury of the "Siegessäule" and Nominated for Black Movie Award in the Black Movie Awards.

Director: Angela Robinson
Writer (WGA): Angela Robinson
Release Date: March 25, 2005 (USA) more
Genre: Action | Comedy | Romance
Runtime: 91 min

The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love
Showing Date: November 15, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

"This warm romantic comedy by newcomer Maria Maggenti is a gay coming-of-age story framed by Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. Randy (Laurel Hillman) is a stoner, lesbian teenager who happens to be failing math and dating a married woman. One day, fellow student Evie (Nicole Parker) drives up to Randy's gas station in a Range Rover and flips her world upside down. Evie is privileged and popular. Randy is poor, impulsive, and according to the other students, a freak. Opposites attract when the two girls kick off their friendship in detention. The flirtation blossoms after Evie introduces tomboyish Randy to the joys of Whitman and opera. Randy returns the favor by acquainting the sheltered Evie with the problems and delights of mature, taboo love. There is a beautiful scene where the two consummate their courtship on Evie's birthday while Mom is out of town. The true test of their relationship occurs during the hilarious climax when angry families and friends chase the troubled girls into hiding. --Margaret Griffis"

Director: Maria Maggenti
Writer (WGA): Maria Maggenti
Release Date: June 16, 1995 (USA)
Genre: Comedy | Drama | Romance
Runtime: 94 min

Mango Kiss
Showing Date: November 22, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

“American independent filmmaker Sascha Rice makes her feature debut with Mango Kiss, based on the stage play Bermuda Triangles: The Non-Monogamy Experiment. Butch Lou (Michelle Wolff) and femme Sassafras (Daniele Ferraro) drive to San Francisco together, share an apartment, and become lovers in an open relationship. They agree on some very specific rules for dating other people that inevitably become complicated. Sassy gets involved with leather daddy Mickey (Shannon Rossiter) while Lou experiments with glamorous dominatrix Chelsea (Tina Marie Murray). The conclusion finds all four lesbians at the same birthday party. Mango Kiss was shown at the San Francisco Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide”

Genre: Comedy
Released: January 1, 2003
Directors: Sascha Rice, Sasha
Runtime: 86 mins

Come Undone
Showing Date:November 29, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Come Undone is a beautifully observed portrait of the experiences of a young French homosexual. Eschewing both stereotypes and preaching, it's a wonderfully naturalistic film, superbly acted, shot with a feel for the seaside town where the action takes place, never melodramatic but often painfully real. If anything it's almost too realistic, as there's little in the way of conventional plot, just scenes from a life. But the absence of conventional dramatic tension counts for less than it might in a world so subtly drawn. 'Presque Rien' might not be the most exciting film ever made; but its simple humanism serves it well compared with the pre-conceived celebratory or bigoted viewpoints that often mar treatments of this theme. Worth a watch.

Director: Sébastien Lifshitz
Writer (WGA): Stéphane Bouquet (writer) & Sébastien Lifshitz (writer)
Release Date: June7, 2000 (France)
Genre: Drama | Romance
Runtime: 100 min

Babae
Showing Date: November 29, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

"Babae (Woman) is a coming of age story of two women set in the city slum community beside railroad tracks. They became bestfriends, shared dreams and eventually started a family when a child accidentally entered their lives. Inserts of Real stories of women and a man gives color to this black and white film. a mixture of drama, comedy, musical and fantasy that will surely touch your heart. Babae (Woman) ... Bestfriends... Soulmates... One Journey..."

Writer/Director: Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo
Release Date: December 2004 (Philippines)
Genre: Documentary Drama
Runtime: 20 min

Read more...

Galang Film Screenings at mag:net Katipunan

Starting November 8 and the rest of all Saturdays of November, Galang Network will have film screenings of foreign LGBT films at mag:net Katipunan. Admissions to the screenings is free and the LGBT films that will be shown will be based on the results of the online poll. Even though it's free, it would be nice to donate a minimum amount of 50 pesos to support GALANG's work among grassroots LGBTs.

Read more...

Show your Pride (Pride March 2008)

Manila Pride March 2008: Show Your Pride!

Dear Friends,

Rainbow Greetings!

Task Force Pride, the official network that has been organizing the annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride March since 1999, would like to invite you and your organization/group to participate in this year’s celebration of LGBT Pride in Malate on 6 December 2008, Saturday, 3 PM to 5 PM.

Theme. This years Pride March is a tribute to the last 10 years of LGBT human rights advocacy. Hence, the theme is: A decade of dignity: Our rights, our lives, our loves, our selves.

Route. The route of this year’s march is: Remedios Circle-Adriatico St.-P.Faura-Roxas Blvd.-Rajah Sulayman-Remedios Circle-Adriatico St.-Nakpil St.-Orosa St .The march will be followed by a brief cultural program showcasing both LGBT and non-LGBT talents.

Significance. The Pride March is known for its overwhelming attendance. It attracts thousands of participants and generates extensive local and international media attention.
This year’s Pride March is particularly significant as it coincides with the celebration of the 60th year of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the launch in Manila of the Yogyakarta Principles (www.yogyakartaprinciples.org), an international declaration which affirms sexual orientation and gender identity and expression as fundamental human rights.

We hope that you will choose to make this year's Pride celebration a more festive, colorful and meaningful event with your participation. Should you have inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Bruce Amoroto, head of our Participation Committee at 0916.282.6781 (bruce.amoroto@gmail.com) or Peach Natividad, head of our Program Committee at 0917.539.2742 (peach_rmn@hotmail.com).

Thank you.

Sincerely,

(Ms) Pau
M. Fontanos
Co-Coordinator, TFP 2008

(Ms) Sass Rogando Sasot

Co-Coordinator, TFP 2008

Read more...

LGBT Pre-Halloween Party at Fluid

Who: Lesbian, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders.

What: Leather and Chains pre-halloween party

When: October 24, 2008. 10pm

Where: Fluid Lounge, Orosa St., Malate

The party features the following:
- DJ Chez and Polo
- Guest Belly Dancer
- Jill Ngo

Entrance Fee is 150 pesos only (includes one free drink)

Read more...