The Rainbow Blog Philippines

These past months have been a hectic one for me at work and my advocacy; I reasonably lost in touch with my sister who also happens to have a demanding work as a pharmacist in a public hospital. And so last night, when at last, our energies and time met and we planned to have some indulging and pampering and consequently, we headed at WENSHA SPA CENTER last March 16 at 12 midnight. We went to the WENSHA SPA CENTER located at Timog Ave. corner Panay Ave, Quezon City. We merrily entered the spa because of its good ambiance and it was our first time to experience some indulging and pampering at midnight. Actions and occurrences were initially without abrupt turns when we availed for their full packages promo – facial and body massage or foot massage or foot spa. We were given bracelet keys for our lockers and colored rubber slippers. There was no sign that a deplorable situation will happen later. They were still gracious to ask us to proceed at the second floor. We then pro...

Manila, Philippines – The 5’8” tall, registered nurse, Marc Ernest Biala is all set for the big day of his life as he competes with other gay men representatives in the 2011 Mr. Gay World on March 13 at Club Mwah, (one of the most outstanding theater-clubs in Asia) in the Tiger City of Mandaluyong. The momentous event will be hosted by Philippine King of Talk Boy Abunda along with one of the country’s top models Wilma Doesnt and 2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman. Biala is one gay man, who is an inspiring individual to young gay men and is determined to make a 'difference' and be an effective spokesperson for oth er Filipino gay men in the country. He is a magna cum laude graduate from St. Mary’s College in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. He is currently finishing his Masters of Science in Nursing and is writing his thesis focusing on family caregivers for the mentally-ill patients and is a candidate for another magna cum laude award . He also authored a nursing refer...

Ang Ladlad slammed the ordinance of Cebu Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy requiring business establishments to designate a separate restroom exclusively for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgenders (LGBTs). The ordinance said that "separate restroom is the solution to end the confusion of what public restroom should a member of the LGBT avail for them to feel safe, comfortable and convenient wherein there are only male and female comfort rooms." While Ang Ladlad lauds and appreciates the intent of Mr. Sitoy to address the needs and concerns of LGBTs, its members, especially from the Cebu chapter, have strong reservations about this ordinance. Ang Ladlad believes that a separate restroom for LGBTs perpetuates our already marginalized existence. Jubelle Toledo, one of Ladlad's focal points in Cebu City, stresses that, "requiring all establishments to put up a separate facility means that LGBTs are being treated differently and this could isolate or marginalize us e...

By Alcuin Papa Philippine Daily Inquirer A party-list group, which promises to add color to the usually staid congressional proceedings, is going “yellow” in its choice for president and vice president in the May elections. With expected gay flair, this was how Danton Remoto, chair of Ang Ladlad, described Aquino: “Walang bahid, walang mantsa. Hindi mo na kailangang magkuskos at magkula pa. (He’s without stain. No need to scrub or bleach.) ‘Golde n Gays’ home The group said that, if elected, it would propose laws that would criminalize discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs). Ang Ladlad also vowed to provide livelihood programs and establish a home for elderly and abandoned members of the LGBT community. The home would be called “Golden Gays,” an apparent takeoff from the government-run Golden Acres. “We will see all the colors of the rainbow in Congress,” said Naomi Fontanos, one of the group’s nominees. The others are Bernz Benedito, Germaine Leonin,...

abs-cbnNEWS.com MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court on Thursday approved the petition of Ang Ladlad group to represent lesbians, gays, homosexuals, and bisexuals (LGBT) as a party-list group in the May 10 elections. In a decision penned by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the Commission on Elections disqualifying Ang Ladlad's application as a party-list group. The court said the Comelec erred in its decision to deny Ang Ladlad's accreditation as a party-list group based on moral grounds.It said the poll body failed to explain "what societal ills are sought to be prevented, or why special protection is required for the youth" to justify the denial of accreditation of Ang Ladlad. "We hold that moral disapproval, without more, is not a sufficient governmental interest to justify exclusion of homosexuals from participation in the party-list system.The denial of Ang Ladlad’s registration on purely moral grounds a...

I am asking all Filipino lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and supporters to please vote Ang Ladlad Partylist. We are number 89 in the ballot. Let us show the power of the pink vote!

Ang sigaw ng mga bakla, lesbiyana, bisekswal at transgender ng Pilipinas:

Boom! Ilang oras na lang at 2010 na! Sana sa bagong taong darating ay magkakaroon na tayo ng isang tunay na KALAYAAN! Isang kalayaang pumili ng mga tamang ihahalal sa gobyerno! Isang kalayaan na siyang magsasawata ng korupsyon sa bawat sangay ng ating pamahalaan! Isang kalayaang susupil sa mga taong patuloy na gumagawa ng karahasan! Isang kalayaan na siyang aagapay tungo sa ating tagumpay! Isang kalayaan na magkakalas ng posas sa kamay ng kahirapan! Isang kalayaan na may lakas para harangan ang mga anay ng ating Inang Bayan! Isang kalayaan tungo sa isang pantay na karapatang mamuhay ng tunay na malaya! Isang kalayaan na siyang magbibigkis ng bawat isang Pilipino tungo sa isang mapayapa, masagana at maunlad na Pilipinas! Manigong Bagong Taon!

ATENEO de Manila University Professor and gay rights activist Danton Remoto filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) yesterday, December 1, 2009 as senator at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila. “I filed my candidacy because we need to inaugurate a new moon in Philippine politics. Kailangan natin ‘yung hindi trapo at hindi dinastiyang politika,” He enthused. Remoto who is the chairman of Ang Ladlad, the national organization of Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Filipinos also filed the groups manifestation of intent to participate in 2010 polls. Ang Ladlad was denied Party-list accreditation by the 2nd division on the grounds that gays are immoral which creates major outcry from the LGBT community in the Philippines and abroad. Remoto is running as an independent candidate but he is open to alliances by any of the political parties which will not ignore the more than four million LGBT voters in the country. “I’m running to win but I’m still open to coali...

As citizen and Senator of the Republic, I question the recent rejection of Ang Ladlad Party to be a duly registered sectoral party by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) because of allegations of ‘immorality.’ The Comelec invoked passages from the Holy Bible and the sacred Qu’ran to justify their decision on Ang Ladlad’s petition for party registration. The Republic of the Philippines is a secular state, and as such, we must ensure the clear separation of church and state in our civil and political affairs, as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution, Article II, Section 6. Invoking justifications from sacred texts should not stand in the way of our secular and liberal democratic principles and the rights for political representation of all well-meaning Filipino citizens. Every Filipino, regardless of sexual orientation, can exercise the fundamental right to be represented in the country’s political affairs, including the right to run for public office as political parties and indivi...

By Lilita Balane Newsbreak Ang Ladlad's own petition indicating intimate same-sex relations, brought that decision upon itself The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has rejected the petition of a group representing the "third sex" to be accredited for the party list on the ground that it "tolerates immorality, which offends religious beliefs." In an 8-page resolution, the Comelec cited the Ang Ladlad LGBT's advocacy of sexual immorality with same-sex relationships. Read more. Click: BUHAY BAYOT

DANTON REMOTO Chairman, Ang Ladlad Partylist 2010 Senatorial Candidate 1. Why have you taken a break from column-writing? My father died two weeks ago and I had to take charge of the wake and burial, being the eldest. I had to deal with everything -- from the mortuary to the car that would pick up my siblings at the airport to always being there with my mother, who is quiet and noble in her grief. 2. Are you running under the Liberal Party? I do not know. All I know is that I am running for senator in the 2010 elections with a big political party. 3. Why not independent? Been there, been that. People will promise you funds, warm bodies, watchers. But when push comes to shove, you are all alone, with only a few of your most loyal campaign volunteers. 4. When will you declare? My political party of choice has told me to wait it out while it finalizes a possible coalition with another party. We will declare before November 20, the first day of filing of certificates of candidacy. We will ...

I regret to announce that the father of Prof. Danton Remoto, chairman of Ang Ladlad, the national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender Filipinos, has already been laid to rest by God. He peacefully passed away at 12:00 a.m., oct 18, 2009. In behalf of the LGBT community in the Philippines and the officers and members of Ang Ladlad Partylist, I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to the Remoto family. May God give them the strength they need. His remains lie in state at St Ignatius Chapel mortuary, Camp Aguinaldo. Salamat.

We want YOU to come to Bed with us and experience 3 times the FUN! 3 times the PLEASURE! As we CELEBRATE our 3rd Year! ONEBACARDI In partnership with: BED Malate, Ang LADLAD, Task Force Pride Philippines, Lookal Baggets by Yako Reyes, Outragemag.com , Pinoyg4m.com, HBC, Vibrant , Ketchup Magazine, Starlites Starz Unlimited Productions invites YOU to Experience. Explore. Explode. THREESOME : OneBacardi's 3rd Year Anniversary Party . OCTOBER 15, 2009, THURSDAY, 10 pm Bed Malate Orosa-Nakpil Courtyard Malate, Manila P50 ENTRANCE 100 FIRST-CUMMERS will receive a special surprise 200+++ Orgasm of PRIZES, GIFT CERTIFICATES and FREEBIES will be given away Plus SCORCHING performances from 3 PREMIERE CLANS and members. For the benefit of 3 Charitable Institutions To uphold OneBacardi's 3 Noble Advocacies 2 Cocktail drinks for the price of 1 until Midnight! So go on. Join us! We know you want to. THREESOME: Because some things happen bet...

Philippine News Agency September 25, 2009 Ladlad, a gay and lesbian group, has renewed its bid to get the nod of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to accredit and allow the group to join the party list elections next year. Ladlad head Danton Remoto said he is hoping that the poll body will evaluate thoroughly their application. “I hope the Comelec will see the point of our party list,” he said before the hearing of their accreditation Thursday at the Comelec head office in Manila. He said Ladlad should be allowed to participate in 2010 elections as they represent a marginalized sector in the society. “Like many Filipinos, many lesbians, gays, transgenders are poor. So we reflect the economic conditions of the country. Marginalization is not only financial,” Remoto pointed out. He is also confident that they will finally get the approval of the Comelec since they already have members all over the country. Remoto revealed that they have 13 regional chapters and 22,000 members and aff...

DANTON REMOTO Ang Ladlad Chair 2010 Senatorial Candidate I called up Helen Flores of Philippine Star to ask her who sent her the press release showing a purported Pulse Asia senatorial survey that showed me getting only 0.7 percent, landing third from the bottom of the list. She said, "Pulse Asia." I said that is impossible because I am not a subscriber to any of the surveys. Read: I did not pay P50,000 for my name to be there. I told her to check out the website of Pulse Asia. I did, again and again, and the alleged press release she got is not there. The only recent news item is the presidential survey. In short, it is a hatchet job. Clearly, then, the hand of a muckracker is at work here. Some rich political party commissioned a survey, put my name there, and must have been shocked out of their dimwitted skulls when they saw me again up there in the list, past their nina bonita, as it has been in the last many surveys. How do I know this? Because the other political parti...

DANTON REMOTO Ang Ladlad, Chair 2010 Senatorial Candidate http://filipinovoices.com/ "The most media-attractive partylister to date is Danton Remoto’s Ang Ladlad. While denied COMELEC accreditation in the past (it said it didn’t have a national presence), it is now more politically sophisticated to go into the fray. Gays are found in all levels of society, the trades and professions. They contribute much to our society. However, Danton is astute enough to recognize that it is OK for Ladlad to go partylist for now, but that cannot be the state of affairs for the future. Ladlad will have to expand its constituency. Danton is considering a senate seat with the Liberals. Best of all he knows how to play the conservative streak in Pinoy society. While Pinoys may have no problems with openly gay people, they may have problems with gays exchanging vows with each other. So Danton says, 'Walang same-sex marriage, Ayaw ni Jesus.' A look at Ladlad’s platform is lefty but should be ac...

DANTON REMOTO 2010 Senatorial Candidate ANG LADLAD, Chairman And am not talking about shoes. Many thanks for those who asked me what my platform is. If you have read the 60 minutes interview I had with the Manila Bulletin, my platform will be education for all. Out of ten children who enroll in Grade One, only six graduate in elementary school. And out of this six who enter high school, only four graduate. And out of this four who enter college, only two graduate. Thus, I want to focus on universal primary school education for all. The ten who enter Grade One should be able to graduate in Grade Six. That is basic, so they could learn how to read, write, count and I hope think. How is this possible? Through conditional cash transfer, where parents will be given Php 500 per child as long as these children stay in school, get regular vaccination and the mothers go to the health center for seminars on reproductive health. This is of course an idea from the Latin American countries, which ...

By Kristine Servando www.abs-cbnnews.com www.newsbreak.com.ph The Philippines has seen an "alarming" increase in HIV cases in the past year, especially among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM), according to data from the Dept. of Health, as cited by the United Nations Deve lopment Programme (UNDP). "Last May, the country had 85 reported cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the highest ever in the country. That's like 3 people a day, more cases than the A (H1N1) virus," said Danton Remoto, UNDP Communications officer, at the country's 1st National Conference on MSM, Transgender, and HIV last July 22. There have been 3,911 HIV cases since 1984, according to Department of Health (DOH) data as of May 2009. All HIV cases were transmitted through sexual contact, with 36% of cases transmitted through homosexual contact and 89% of cases caused by unprotected sex. Other "vulnerable groups" are OFWs (making up ...

Philstar.com / Yahoo news MANILA, Philippines — A partylist that represents members of the so-called "Third Sex" or homosexuals and transgenders will most likely get the accreditation from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in time to join the polls next year, an official said today. Ladlad head Danton Remoto said they are confident to get the nod of the poll body, paving the way for them to participate in the 2010 elections. "The Comelec has talked to us and told us that we will only have to prove that we have a national membership," Remoto said. Ladlad has a 22,000 current membership and affiliates nationwide, "We also have 10 regional chapters in the country," the Ladlad chief added. The Comelec has thumbed down Ladlad's accreditation during last 2007 elections, saying that the partylist does not represent a marginalized and underpriviledged sector of society. Remoto said they also optimistic to get one of the 55 slots alloted for t...