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Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Quitco: No big deal
By Dr. Philip Quitco
The cutting edge
ONE of the hottest issues today aside from politics is Rustom Padilla's confirmation of his gender identity through the Pinoy Big Brother show. While most people waggle their tongues to such delectable showbiz news, I believe there's nothing new about it. Whether one is gay and another one is straight, we all have a place under the sun. We all have the freedom to be who we are and to be where we want in life.
Perhaps it has been the perfect time for Rustom to come out from his closet. As some say, panapanahon lang naman 'yan. Pinoy Big Brother Show was the right venue for him to reveal his secret kept for 30 long years. Such an unexpected revelation was witnessed worldwide.
While others have a discriminating taste for homosexuals, I admire Rustom's courage and sincerity to tell something too personal about himself..It might have been the hardest thing to do for someone like him who came from a strong family clan whose male members were known for their masculine appeal and dominance. But Rustom opened his heart to the world, the only thing he had at that particular moment regardless of how the world would react or respond to it. As nothing hidden, which could never be uncovered in a proper time, his revelation paved the way to which he could liberate himself from his past painful experiences especially his being a battered child. By his revelation, he finally found himself, where he was right now and, probably, where he will be in the future.
The truth is that he tried denying his emotions from the very start despite his feeling of such strong impulse of sexual perversion. He was then confused. Confused of his real gender identity. But it has been part of himself for a long time. Something, which could not be easily put aside, disregards, or reject. According to him, it was not simply a matter of physical identity. Rather, it involves more of the person's emotional aspect. Thus, for me, whether one's homosexuality is due to genetic or chromosomal aberrations, or as a learned behavior, or to any abnormalities in the brain's neurotransmitters, or due to any unknown factors, I believe what's more essential is one's realization and acceptance of his real self. Pagpapakatotoo, they say in Tagalog. The beauty of realizing and accepting who you really are lies in the fact that you could be at peace with your self, with your Creator and with your fellow men. By knowing your self you could develop your potentials while correcting your flaws. Likewise, it is by revealing your self that you, too, will know who your real friends are, persons who could accept you for what you really are and who could significantly stand by you through thick and thin.
I believe there's nothing wrong with being gay as long as one knows his limitations. But since we have a conservative look at it because of religion and our culture, few have the courage to admit their sexuality or sexual preferences. At the present times, however, some pro-gay advocates are voicing their indignation over their perceived discrimination of their sexuality by the society. To put them down is, indeed, a violation of their basic human rights
Probably, the next big news is once Rustom is out of Kuya's house. As they say, abangan ang susunod na kabanata. (Quitco writes for Sun.Star Iloilo)
(March 8, 2006 issue)
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