Bakla (Philippines)
Encyclopedia
In the Philippines
, a baklà (bɑklɑ̆) is a male-bodied person who is exclusively attracted
to men. Baklas are often considered a third gender
, and many (but not all) baklas display feminine mannerisms and dress as women. Some actually identify as women.
Baklas are socially and economically integrated into Filipino society, and are considered an important part of society . The stereotype of a bakla is a parlorista, a cross-dresser who works in a beauty salon. Some Filipinos disapprove of baklas, usually for religious reasons.
, and masculine gays(called "pamintas" in Filipino slang).
Feminine baklas generally dress and act like women. Some grow their hair long, get breast implants, and make other changes to look more like women. Some go so far as to undergo sex reassignment surgery
, but this is uncommon.
Bakla of all categories are considered a third sex. J. Neil C. Garcia recalls a childhood song that lists four distinct genders: "girl, boy, bakla, tomboy
".(In the Philippines, tomboy refers to a lesbian)
Baklas have also been instrumental in the opening of several prominent night clubs in the Philippines.
is a beauty pageant for baklas. The participants model swimsuits and dresses, as in other beauty pageants worldwide. Many of the baklas that participate in this contest actually resemble female models that participate in non-gay beauty contests.
Though the “Miss. Gay Philippines” pageant is the biggest pageant of this kind in the Philippines, many smaller pageants like this are held on a smaller scale during annual town celebrations called fiesta and are not uncommon throughout the Philippines.
.
, who is a talk show host and has been featured in many TV commercials. It is undeniable, according to Garcia, that the bakla is accepted by most of Filipino society.
The general acceptance of the bakla’s sexuality does not, however, imply that baklas are considered equal to the other sexes. Garcia states that the ordering "girl, boy, bakla, tomboy" implies “[The differing gender’s] hierarchal positioning relative to each other”. Although Filipino society is surprisingly tolerant of baklas, there is an implied superiority of the “traditional” sexes over the other two.
Even though there is a “hierarchy of the sexes” in the Philippines, baklas have not only become recognized and accepted by most of society, they have become an integral part it. They have found niches where they excel. Many baklas — the parlorista, for example — own or work at beauty salons and are considered more meticulous and detail-oriented than women who are employed as hairdressers.
Baklas who are Christian, but not affiliated with Roman Catholicism, face varying degrees of acceptance based on which sect they are affiliated with. These minority religions generally, but not exclusively, provide more tolerance and acceptance of gays, at least doctrinally, than the Catholic Church (much like the minority religions in the United States.) The Philippine Independent Church
, which is affiliated with the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, is known for its progressive stance.
The other minority which is made up of non-Christian religions such as Islam
, Buddhism
, Hinduism
and others also present a range of doctrinal views. Islam vehemently opposes homosexuality doctrinally and are not tolerant of homosexuals. Hinduism and Buddhism on the other hand generally frown upon homosexuality but are tolerant of gay men, including baklas.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, a baklà (bɑklɑ̆) is a male-bodied person who is exclusively attracted
Sexual attraction
Sexual attractiveness or sex appeal refers to an individual's ability to attract the sexual or erotic interest of another person, and is a factor in sexual selection or mate choice. The attraction can be to the physical or other qualities or traits of a person, or to such qualities in the context...
to men. Baklas are often considered a third gender
Third gender
The terms third gender and third sex describe individuals who are categorized as neither man nor woman, as well as the social category present in those societies who recognize three or more genders...
, and many (but not all) baklas display feminine mannerisms and dress as women. Some actually identify as women.
Baklas are socially and economically integrated into Filipino society, and are considered an important part of society . The stereotype of a bakla is a parlorista, a cross-dresser who works in a beauty salon. Some Filipinos disapprove of baklas, usually for religious reasons.
Etymology
In modern Filipino language it now means either "effeminate man" or a homosexual. The word is derived from the ancient alphabet of the Philippines, where the character for "ba" meant female and "la" meant male.Slang terms
- Bading, Bayot, Badaf, Pamintang durog or Pamintang buo (for masculine gays), Beki, Binabae, Pa-girl, Effem, Silahis(bisexual)
Gender
In general, bakla in the Philippines are divided into four categories: transsexuals, crossdressers, bisexualsBisexuality
Bisexuality is sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical or romantic attraction to both males and females, especially with regard to men and women. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation, all a part of the...
, and masculine gays(called "pamintas" in Filipino slang).
Feminine baklas generally dress and act like women. Some grow their hair long, get breast implants, and make other changes to look more like women. Some go so far as to undergo sex reassignment surgery
Sex reassignment surgery
Sex reassignment surgery is a term for the surgical procedures by which a person's physical appearance and function of their existing sexual characteristics are altered to resemble...
, but this is uncommon.
Bakla of all categories are considered a third sex. J. Neil C. Garcia recalls a childhood song that lists four distinct genders: "girl, boy, bakla, tomboy
Tomboy
A tomboy is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of the gender role of a boy, including the wearing of typically masculine-oriented clothes and engaging in games and activities that are often physical in nature, and which are considered in many cultures to be the...
".(In the Philippines, tomboy refers to a lesbian)
Culture
For being a minority, baklas have had a remarkable impact on Filipino society . In the second edition of the now-defunct gay lifestyle magazine Icon Magazine, editor Richie Villarin quoted one of the magazine's advertisers as saying "We cannot remain oblivious to your market".Baklas have also been instrumental in the opening of several prominent night clubs in the Philippines.
Beauty pageants
Miss Gay PhilippinesMiss Gay Philippines
Miss Gay Philippines is the biggest and most prestigious gay pageant in the Philippines. It is now in its 30th year....
is a beauty pageant for baklas. The participants model swimsuits and dresses, as in other beauty pageants worldwide. Many of the baklas that participate in this contest actually resemble female models that participate in non-gay beauty contests.
Though the “Miss. Gay Philippines” pageant is the biggest pageant of this kind in the Philippines, many smaller pageants like this are held on a smaller scale during annual town celebrations called fiesta and are not uncommon throughout the Philippines.
Swardspeak
Baklas have created a special language that they use with each other, called swardspeak. It is used by both masculine and feminine baklas. Swardspeak incorporates elements from Filipino, English and Spanish, and is spoken with a hyperfeminized inflection. It was widespread and popular until the 1990s, but is now considered unfashionable in most parts of ManilaManila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
.
Legal status
Same-sex marriage is not recognized in the Philippines, preventing many baklas from getting married. Legislation attempting to legalize same-sex marriage in the Philippines has been presented to Congress, but none have passed thus far.Social status
In almost every city and town scattered across the culturally diverse islands of the Philippines there is at least one bakla (in general many baklas) living a normal life, accepted (at least by some) as a member of the third sex. As a matter of fact, a few prominent social icons are also baklas — most recognizably Boy AbundaBoy Abunda
Eugenio "Boy" R. Abunda, Jr. is a Filipino television host, publicist, talent manager and celebrity endorser. He is dubbed as the "King of Talk" in local show business.-Early life:Boy Abunda was born in Borongan City, Eastern Samar...
, who is a talk show host and has been featured in many TV commercials. It is undeniable, according to Garcia, that the bakla is accepted by most of Filipino society.
The general acceptance of the bakla’s sexuality does not, however, imply that baklas are considered equal to the other sexes. Garcia states that the ordering "girl, boy, bakla, tomboy" implies “[The differing gender’s] hierarchal positioning relative to each other”. Although Filipino society is surprisingly tolerant of baklas, there is an implied superiority of the “traditional” sexes over the other two.
Even though there is a “hierarchy of the sexes” in the Philippines, baklas have not only become recognized and accepted by most of society, they have become an integral part it. They have found niches where they excel. Many baklas — the parlorista, for example — own or work at beauty salons and are considered more meticulous and detail-oriented than women who are employed as hairdressers.
Religion
The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic. The Roman Catholic Church views same-sex sexual activity as "intrinsically disordered". This condemnation of homosexuality presents a problem for the baklas. Because baklas are part of a Catholic-dominated society, some Filipinos are not accepting of their presence. Others, however, consider baklas an important part of society. Baklas belonging to Catholic families, especially devout Catholic families, often battle their feelings of same sex attraction their whole adolescent lives. While some baklas are told to abandon their homosexuality because of religion others are encouraged by either parents or friends to embrace it.Baklas who are Christian, but not affiliated with Roman Catholicism, face varying degrees of acceptance based on which sect they are affiliated with. These minority religions generally, but not exclusively, provide more tolerance and acceptance of gays, at least doctrinally, than the Catholic Church (much like the minority religions in the United States.) The Philippine Independent Church
Philippine Independent Church
The Philippine Independent Church, The Philippine Independent Church, The Philippine Independent Church, (officially the or the IFI, also known as the Philippine Independent Catholic Church or in Ilocano: Siwawayawaya nga Simbaan ti Filipinas (in in Kinaray-a/Hiligaynon: Simbahan Hilway nga...
, which is affiliated with the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, is known for its progressive stance.
The other minority which is made up of non-Christian religions such as Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
and others also present a range of doctrinal views. Islam vehemently opposes homosexuality doctrinally and are not tolerant of homosexuals. Hinduism and Buddhism on the other hand generally frown upon homosexuality but are tolerant of gay men, including baklas.