PINOY Big Brother ex-housemate Rica Paras proved that she's not just all about wits and laughter in her first no-holds-barred interview.
The 26-year-old IT (Information’s Technology) consultant graced the hot seat of Boy Abunda's Saturday late night show "The Bottomline" in the Kapamilya network.
Rica may always be seen on television programs these past few days but only the King of Talk managed to throw never-before-asked questions to the Math goddess of Iloilo.
One of the first questions Abunda raised in his hour-long interview with Rica was about the Commission on Election's (Comelec) rejection of the party-list accreditation of Ang Ladlad on the grounds of "sexual immorality" and "immoral doctrines."
Rica then said that what people see are just superficial and homosexuals are still being misjudged by many.
"They don’t know because they are not there. For us homosexuals or transsexuals, we feel the stereotyping, that if you’re gay, you are loud, talkative and noisy and that’s very very difficult and you can see that," she said.
Rica then added that she personally experienced being bullied in streets even at a younger age.
"I was just walking in streets when I was young then someone will shout at me ‘bakla, bakla, salot’ and that is very painful for me. Even now, I still cry when I remember that. I’m thinking that how can this person whom I don’t know personally judge me as if they truly know me," Rica said.
She added: "I really hate the fact that I have to grow up trying to face that at a very early age."
Discrimination was also not a foreign language in Rica's family for she also got loads of it while growing up.
"From time to time, there’s a disciplinary action taking place and sometimes I hear some from my relatives and neighbors," she said.
Rica admittedly said that at some point, being an over-achiever was the best thing she can do to make the most out of the situation she's in.
"I just took everything in and kept in mind that I can fight the battle within myself, I need to prove them wrong," she said.
Rica then added that from the very first time she can understand things, she already knew that something is different with her and it’s not because of where or who she is.
When asked on her mother's role during all these things, Rica said that she's always in the sideline tolerating her.
"Tolerance is already a luxury for me. I think I deserve acceptance, support and love and the mere fact that she just let me do whatever I want though not that super support, that’s fine with me,” she said.
Men's career
Rica also dismissed thoughts that gay men cannot compete or be successful in careers usually done by straight men.
"Service to the nation is in the heart and the heart has no sexuality," she said.
Rica then added that one's courage is not measured by whether you are a man, woman or gay.
"Courage is in the person, in the mind and heart. As long those things are in your heart, you can serve in politics, military, and fight for your country and you don't need to be a girl or gay to do that,” Rica said.
Abunda then asked her thoughts if she will go to heaven when the time comes.
"I think I have shown enough courage and strength to live like a true Christian and my relationship with God is very personal," she said.
Rica said that everyone should have a broader perspective on gays, especially on a transgender like her. She said that one's action is always an individual position and should not be generalized.
"I can do better rather than they pity me," she said.
Rica also answered some of Abunda’s questions like admitting that she had her first sexual experience with her first boyfriend, that she “never” had any sexual relationship with a woman, that she’s open to go to politics, that she’s in a five-year relationship now with a man.
The interview also revealed that she doesn’t have plans to get rid of her manhood, that she prefers going to the ladies washroom instead of the men’s, that she’s the one who courted her current boyfriend and she wants to meet Jesus Christ.
When asked to sum-up her life in one song as a transgender woman, Rica sung these lines with conviction.
"At first I was afraid, I was petrified. Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side, but then I spent so many nights just thinking how you'd done me wrong and I grew strong and I learned how to get a long." (Glaiza Jarloc/Sunnex)