Bakla
In the Philippines, a baklâ, bayot or agi is a person who was assigned male at birth and have adopted a feminine gender expression. They are often considered a third gender. Many bakla are exclusively attracted to men, but are not necessarily gay. Some are trans women.
In historical context, often they were called "bayogin". The root word comes from which in Philippine language family indicate "femininity" and suggests the meaning of the word "to make one into a female or feminine". Bayog also connotes certain idea of chastity and infertility as attested in several historical and linguistic accounts.
Bakla are socially and economically integrated into Filipino society, having been accepted by society prior to Western colonization, many of which were held in high regard and performed the role of spiritual leaders known as babaylan, katalonan, and other shamans in pre-colonial Philippines. However, a minority group of Filipinos disapprove or reject the baklas, usually on religious grounds. The stereotype of a baklâ is a parlorista—a flamboyant, camp cross-dresser who works in a beauty salon; in reality, the bakla thrives in numerous sectors of society, from the lower to the upper levels.
Historical Accounts
"The twelfth, bayoguin, signified a “cotquean,” a man whose nature inclined toward that of a woman."Fr. Juan de Plasencia, Customs of the Tagalogs
"Chap. XVI. Some peculiarities of the customs of the Subanos...Among this nation there is a class of men who profess celibacy and govern themselves by natural law, and they are very punctual and perfect in their observance of it; and such is the feeling of security in regard to them, that they are allowed to go about among the women without any fear or suspicion. Their dress is throughout like that of the women, with skirts of the same fashion. They do not use weapons, or engage in anything else that is peculiar to men, or communicate with them. They weave the mantas that are used here, which is the proper employment of women, and all their conversation is with women. Therefore, the purpose of life which they follow comes to be more extraordinary by its peculiarity and by its perils, considering both the nature of that country, and the little regard that they give to their dangers. So satisfied do they live, either from their own purpose or from their natural disposition, that they have never discredited their position with weaknesses. They were, so to speak, hermits of their religion, and were held in high esteem. And in fact the constancy of their life and modesty of their customs, obliged one to have respect for them. In a nation so barbarous and who knew not God, it appears a prodigy worthy of wonder that one of the special providences of His Divine Majesty, to place such examples of virtue in a country where vice had absolute control, so that the experience of the eyes causes them to esteem what God’s love did not obtain. I have known two of these men, and one of them I baptized, to my especial consolation, while visiting the coast of Siocon, which extends for twenty leguas from Samboangan toward Dapitan...Labia is the name they give to those of this profession. The name of this one was Tuto."
Fr. Francisco Combes, History of Mindanao, Sulu and Adjacent Islands
"Retana derives “labia” from “labi” and “a” “he who advantages the others.” “Tuto” is said by Retana to be equivalent to “tuud-tuud” meaning 'in real truth.'"
Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands Vol. XL,
"Bayoguin- hombre cobarde que anda en trage de muger. Bayoguin ca cun di mo gauin ito!"
Dictionary entry "bayoguin", Noceda and Sanlucar, Vocabulario de Lengua Tagala
Legal status
is not recognised in the Philippines, preventing many mga baklâ from getting married. Legislation attempting to legalise same-sex marriage in the Philippines has been presented to Congress, but none have passed thus far.Religion
The Philippines is predominantly Christian, with over 80% of Filipinos belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. Church doctrine officially tolerates persons with such orientations but condemns homosexual activity as "intrinsically disordered". This condemnation of homosexuality presents a problem for baklâ because of potential discrimination in a Catholic-dominated society. As a result, baklâ youth in particular are at a higher risk for suicide, depression and substance abuse than their heterosexual peers, with risk increasing as parental acceptance decreases.While a significant minority, baklâ adherents of Protestantism face varying degrees of acceptance based on the denomination to which they belong. The Philippine Independent Church, which is in full communion with the worldwide Anglican Communion, officially does not endorse homosexuality. Various Evangelical churches and the Iglesia Ni Cristo are more fundamentalist in doctrine, and thus strongly condemn homosexual acts and suppress such identities within their congregations.
Non-Christian Filipinos who profess Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and other faiths also present a wide range of doctrinal views. Islam, the second largest religion in the Philippines, comprises roughly 5.57% of the population. Islam shares views with other Abrahamic Faiths in that homosexual acts are held to be sinful. According to the Delhi High Court, Hinduism does not officially condemn homosexuality. As for Buddhism, the Dalai Lama has maintained that homosexuality is "sexual misconduct" for Buddhist followers but does not condemn it for non-believers.
History
In Pre-colonial Philippines, the bakla, especially those who crossdress, were commonly shamans, a role usually taken by women. Babaylan were highly respected members of the community who functioned as healers, keepers of oral histories, sorcerers, and as spirit mediums for communicating with ancestral and nature spirits.Etymology
In Cebuano, the term "baklâ" means "homosexual". In modern Filipino, it can mean either "effeminate man" or "homosexual" but the word itself has been used for centuries, albeit in different contexts. The Tagalog poet Francisco Balagtas used the word "bacla" in reference to "a temporary lack of resolve", as seen in his popular works Florante at Laura and Orosman at Zafira.They are also called ' in Cebuano and ' in Hiligaynon/Ilonggo.
In narrating the Agony in the Garden, the traditional religious epic Casaysayan nang Pasiong Mahal ni Jesucristong Panginoon Natin na Sucat Ipag-alab nang Puso nang Sinomang Babasa, which is often chanted during Holy Week, has a passage that reads Si Cristo'y nabacla. During Balagtas' time, when the Philippines was a Spanish colony, homosexual men were called "binabae" or "bayogin" like Alejandro Penunuri. Pre-World War II Tagalog meanwhile used baklâ to mean "fearful" or "weakened".
Baklâ is commonly believed to be a portmanteau of the words, meaning woman, and, meaning man.
Gender
Bakla generally have feminine gender expression, grow their hair long, have breast implants, take hormone pills and make other changes to look more feminine. Some also undergo sex reassignment surgery, but this is uncommon.Baklâ are often considered a third gender. J. Neil C. García recalls a children's rhyme that begins by listing four distinct genders: "girl, boy, baklâ, tomboy."
Nowadays, in almost every city and town in the Philippines there is at least one baklâ living a normal life, accepted as a member of the third sex. This general acceptance of the baklâ sexuality does not, however, imply that they are considered equal to the other genders. García states that the ordering "girl, boy, baklâ, tomboy" implies " hierarchical positioning relative to each other". Although Filipino society is tolerant of baklâ, there is an implied superiority of the "traditional" sexes over the other two.
Despite this supposed "hierarchy of the sexes," baklâ have become recognized and accepted by most of society; they have become an integral part it. There are successful ones, such as some parlorista who own or work at beauty salons and are considered more meticulous and detail-oriented than female peers. A few prominent social icons are also baklâ, such as television personality Boy Abunda, hairdresser and entrepreneur Ricky Reyes, actor-comedian Vice Ganda, Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco and the world's first LGBT political party called Ladlad which means "coming out".
Culture
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".Baklâs have been instrumental in the opening of badong clubs in the Philippines and can also be found in service, retail, and both sexual and non-sexual entertainment industries. Despite their high visibility, acceptance of baklâs is limited, especially for gay professionals.