LOVE and its different permutations was topic at a recent conference for the film “Love Is Love.”
Its stars, JC de Vera, Roxanne Barcelo, Jay Manalo and Raymond Bagatsing, were asked if they believe the matter applies to same-sex couples.
They were one in saying that love is love no matter the personalities involved.
Of course, what else would they say?
It was then we realized some of those asking questions were actually just baiting, waiting for at least one of them to drop a bombshell worthy of a headline.
Among others, they were asked: Should one be automatically considered gay if he falls for a gay person?
De Vera opined, “I don’t think so. Ang lalaki ay lalaki, ang bading ay bading. So, kung ang lalaki pumatol sa bading it doesn’t necessarily mean na bading din siya, nahulog lang ang loob niya doon sa tao.”
Manalo answered, “Sa tingin ko ang lalaking pumatol sa bading, bading na rin. Itinatago lang niya at nagpapakalalaki siya. Kasi sa akin ang tunay na lalaki, sa babae pa rin ‘yan.”
As if it wasn’t probing enough, one actually had the gall to ask Bagatsing if he is gay.
The actor could have chosen to answer the question directly but he decided to toy with the idea.
“I don’t know. Mahirap magsalita nang tapos, e. All I know is I appreciate everyone. I appreciate people, human beings, I appreciate love,” Bagatsing said.
He added, “Matagal ko nang tinatanong iyan bilang artist, kasi I’m very close to a lot of gay people. I’m very close to men, macho alike, intellectuals. I’m very close to a lot of people, girls…(but I think) love has no gender.”
Apparently, he wanted to tie it up nicely relating to the message of the film.
He said, “That’s actually the message of this film. Love is love. It’s not about gender, religion or race. Ang love, galing sa puso.”
Another asked Manalo if he had been in a gay relationship.
He was game enough to answer in the affirmative but he was somewhat miffed when the reporter went on to urge him to say more.
He shot back, “Seryoso ka?”
It was then Barcelo’s turn.
Someone asked her if she’s open to same–sex relationship and she said, “Well, why not? Personally, I haven’t experienced it but who knows? Baka bukas magbago ang ihip ng hangin.”
It was cringe-inducing to say the least but that’s local showbiz for you.
In any case, film director GB Sampedro pointed out, it is this curiosity that made him decide to do the film.
“Base sa narinig at nakita natin obvious na marami sa atin ang naiintriga sa mga ganitong bagay so, sa akin, this is the exact thing that makes our film relatable. Very timely siya, eh. Hot topic ang mga bagay na ito sa Pilipino and that makes it very interesting,” he said.
Produced by RKB productions, “Love Is Love” opens in theaters Dec. 4. (Neil Ramos)
