The Philippines opens up

The Philippines can seem like the most distant country in Southeast Asia – and the most differe nd Islam, most Filipinos are Catholic. And yet, despite the Catholic Church condemning homosexuality as a sin, the Philippines is the only Southeast Asian country producing gay movies in significant numbers – more than three a year. It’s long had both mainstream and independent movies involving gay men and katoey. 

Among the wide range of topics and approaches, handsome, muscled and nearly nude actors form the chief trademark. There are no naked love scenes, but always at least one scene with a man in his underwear. 

You have to wonder just how “Catholic” this country is with so many films emerging in which gay men discuss religion, poverty, crime, capitalism and rural-versus-urban issues, as well as sexual fantasies. 

Recently a new singer, Sebastian Castro – a Peruvian working in Manila who once competed in the Cosmo Bachelor contest there – released his debut single, called “Bubble”. The video had more than 60,000 views on YouTube within two days. He followed that up with a radio show on his own YouTube channel and other social media. 

I think he indirectly comes out in his video, which is full of homoerotic scenes. And yet the video surged past 250,000 views on Tuesday night. I know that few actors and singers in the Philippines dare reveal their true sexual orientation, but Castro’s coming-out could change that. 

Thus we learn a little more about the Philippines, and there is much more to discover in modern, gay Southeast Asia.