Actor-politician Alfred Vargas was pleasantly amused learning how he had unknowingly helped a TikToker come to terms with his sexual orientation.
The TikToker, identified simply as “@mccartneycale,” made noise on social media revealing his “awakening” as a gay man coming across Alfred’s billboard for an underwear brand many years ago.
The video has since gone viral.
When asked for a reaction, the Quezon City Fifth District Councilor admitted he is aware of @mccartneycale’s revelation, noting “may mga nag-forward sakin ng link ng tiktok niya.”
“Pinanood ko yung buong video at napangiti ako,” he added. “Natuwa ako kasi meron pala akong ganung positive effect sa kanya. Happy ako kasi naging bahagi pala ako sa ‘awakening’ journey ng isang tao.”
Alfred is hoping that @mccartneycale would be an inspiration to others who are still “looking for courage and support” in their effort to come out.
“Because whoever you are, you are someone to be loved, someone who can dream and reach your dreams, someone to be respected, and someone who can have the same opportunities in life just like everybody else,” he said.
He emphasized, “Importante itong ‘awakening’ para sa ating lahat because it’s part of loving ourselves. We can only truly love ourselves and others if we truly love who we really are.”
Alfred then thanked @mccartneycale for his efforts, promising to give him a coffee table book featuring more photos from the underwear campaign if and when they meet.
“Try ko maghanap and bigay ko sayo ang personally signed copy,” he intoned.
