FOR Filipino LGBTs, Sen. Risa Hontiveros is a sparkling presence in these gloomy times as she always comes out swinging as a sincere ally. Her tweet from 2019 resurfaced recently, and it’s just as relevant today as we celebrate Pride Month: “Kids, I know it can be hurtful to read comments online nowadays, especially if you’re lesbian, gay, bi or trans and especially if you’re not out. Let me tell you: There’s nothing wrong with you and you’re not alone. We’ll keep fighting so that things get better, I promise.”
- JAMES COOPER x MARICEL SORIANO. Just days after giving a heartwarming eulogy for the Queen of Philippine Movies, Susan Roces, Maricel Soriano experienced another heartbreak: the loss of trailbazing makeup mogul James Cooper.
“Thank you for the many years of love and friendship, and treating me like your own daughter,” the Diamond Star posted. “You are a big part of who I am today and I will be forever grateful. I love you, my Mother Goose. Till we meet again.”
- BINGBING LIU x KAYAKO HIGUCHI in ‘Vogue Taiwan.’ Chinese model BingBing Liu and Japanese model Kayako Higuchi front the “Love Issue,” which celebrates the saying, “True love is like a ghost, everyone knows it but no one has seen it.” The fearless mag further explains: “Today’s diverse forms of love lead us to reflect on our choices and existence, but in a word, the so-called love is not good or bad, everything is just love.”
- TENNESSEE WILLIAMS v. GORE VIDAL v. TRUMAN CAPOTE. In the 2014 book, Pink Triangle: The Feuds and Private Lives of Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal, Truman Capote, and Members of Their Entourages by Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince, the three American literary enfants terrible start as friends, then rivals, then frenemies.
The trail they blazed and burned as flamboyant gay icons are exhaustively explored in this salacious, juicy and informative tell-all.
- PAOLO BALLESTEROS x MEGA DRAG. An acclaimed actor and makeup artist, Paolo fronts the first cover (wearing a Botticelli-esque seafoam patina-on-pearl encrusted corset over a silk organza play on waves and crests, ethereal wrap and skirt by Jan Garcia) of this mag that features the colorful drag artists in the country. Rumors are rife that he is the host of Drag Race Philippines, but only Fil-Am drag queen Jiggly Caliente has been officially announced.
“Nagkakaroon ka ng power na kaya mong gawin ang kahit ano ’pag naka-drag, na parang on a normal day, maiilang kang gawin,” Paolo says in the cover story.
- RAJA x MADAME. In the “Snatch Game” of RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race, the Season 3 champion was robbed yet again of a Legendary Legend Star. The Indonesian-American was impeccable as the iconic Madame, whose brassiness you can enjoy on YouTube.
“Who is #Madame you ask? Madame is the creation of Wayland Flowers, a puppeteer, comedian, and superstar in the 1970s and 1980s. I was a child in the 1980s when first discovering #Madame on episodes of Solid Gold. As a boy who obsessed over all puppetry, she was my first vision of raunchy, bawdy humor, drenched in ostrich feathers and rhinestones,” Raja explains on Instagram.
“Wayland was one of the thousands of talented people we lost to HIV/AIDS, in 1988. I hope he’s watching from heaven proud. I felt it was my responsibility to introduce Madame to a generation that would’ve otherwise never known [her].”
- CYNTHIA ERIVO x BLUE FAIRY. An Oscar short of an EGOT, Cynthia lends her magical pipes as the Blue Fairy in Robert Zemeckis’ live-action Pinocchio, blessing us her version of the classic tune “When You Wish Upon a Star.” The queer British-Nigerian Broadway and screen star will soon play another magical character, Elphaba, in the upcoming Wicked films.
- LAVERNE COX x BARBIE. The iconic doll-maker declared: “Trailblazer. Icon. Advocate. In honor of her 50th birthday, Barbie is thrilled to welcome Laverne Cox as the newest Barbie Tribute Collection doll, recognizing her impact in TV, film, fashion, and the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, we are proud to celebrate Laverne’s milestone birthday with a donation to TransFamily Support Services because everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and celebrated for who they are.”
- VALENTINA (WITH KYLIE SONIQUE LOVE) x PLAYFUL PROMISES. Lingerie label Playful Promises’ #LoveisLove campaign enlisted Drag Race royalty for a capsule collection that celebrates #Pride with intricate rainbow embroidery, bright colors and strappy styles. Says Valentina, the nonbinary goddess, “I also love that @playfulpromises donates $1 for every order to a choice of charity, including #LGBTQ+ charities.”
- TOM DALEY x AMI PARIS. Ami (which offers stylish and comprehensive wardrobes for men and women that blur the boundaries between casual and chic) collaborates with British Olympic diving champion Tom Daley, who hand-knitted two sweaters (Ami de Coeur Rainbow Jumper and the Cropped Cable Jumper in an alpaca and merino wool blend), one to be sold via an online auction and one as an Nonfungible Token (NFT).
Ami will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to Kaleidoscope Trust charity, which focuses on fighting for the human rights of LGBTQIA+ people across the Commonwealth.
- FUSCHIA ANN RAVENA x MISS INTERNATIONAL QUEEN 2022. Fuschia (yes, that’s how she spells it) is set to compete in the most prestigious transgender pageant on June 25 in Pattaya, Thailand. She posts, “As the first @miqphilippinesofficial queen, I vow to use my voice and my platform to keep spreading the message of love and fight for acceptance and equality for everyone in our community. I know I am here for a reason and I’m not wasting any chances in making a difference.”
- LOURD RAMOS x CENTURY TUNA SUPERBODS 2022. The irrepressible beauty diva is flexing his toned physique against hunks with rippling muscles in this fitness contest. “[It’s] a dream come true. I may not have the perfect abs and chest but I have the perfect inspiration to achieve my goal! Represented the LGBT! Out & Proud!”
- RISEN MAR ASLAPAL x IARTH JHON RANIS. Makeup Edmark Marwyn Entero conceptualized this public service announcement-cum-photoshoot for LGBT Barangay Patag (Cagayan de Oro).
Risen shares: “We aim to support policies at school, work, or other places that help protect LGBT people from discrimination. Even if the issues seem small, they can have a big impact on people’s lives. If you see or hear of an unfair rule or policy, talk to a peer or trusted adult about your concerns and what you can do to make a change.”