MANILA—In the short teaser for the upcoming "Maalaala Mo Kaya" (MMK) episode this Saturday, Anne Curtis' character, a trans man, is being told to act more feminine by his father.

His retort was, delivered with defiant rage by Curtis: "Paano ako tatanggapin ng ibang tao kung ang sarili kong ama, hindi ako kayang tanggapin?"

This is the story of an overseas Filipino worker named Marrz Balaoro, a pastor of a small Hong Kong church that welcomes all genders.

Speaking with ABS-CBN News at a press conference for his new movie with Vice Ganda, himself an icon for LGBT rights locally, Curtis said that they aim to bring justice to Balaoro's inspiring journey.

"It's always very difficult to tackle a role like this but I'm very inspired by his story [and] that's why I decided to take it on. I really hope to give justice to it," Curtis explained.

Balaoro grew up in Abra and was raised being told by his religious parents to wear skirts and dresses, despite him identifying as a man at a very early age. In Hong Kong, where he moved to work, he was arrested in 2017 on suspicion of marrying same-sex couples. Charges were eventually dropped.

Balaoro also established the Filguys Association, which provides help and refuge to migrant workers who are members of the LGBT community.

The "MMK" episode, set to air after "Idol Philippines," is directed by Barry Gonzalez.