Geline Salac

History and struggle of PH queer community: 5 films to watch for Pride Month

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<p>Films reveal the society at a certain time, and this Pride Month, it is important to remember why this month is celebrated. </p><p>With a unique mix of digitally restored classics and more recent, heartwarming movies, here are five films to learn more about the history and struggles of the queer community, and where you can watch them.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748838607996(1) Markova_ Comfort Gay.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>1. Markova: Comfort Gay (2000)</strong></div><p>This film is based on the real life story of the late Walter “Walterina” Dempster Jr., the last surviving Filipino comfort gay during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World QWar II. Walterina (played by Dolphy) recalls the story of his younger years with five other friends and how they were forced to be laborers who were sexually abused by Japanese soldiers. &quot;Markova: Comfort Gay&quot; tells the poignant reality of the queer community in the country at that time.</p><p>This digitally restored classic is available to watch on iWantTFC and the CineMo YouTube channel.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748838637034(2) T-Bird At Ako.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>2. T-Bird at Ako (1982)</strong></div><p>This film revolves around two main characters: Sylvia (Nora Aunor), an esteemed lawyer, exceptional in her field, and Sabel (Vilma Santos), a beautiful dancer wrongfully accused of murder after defending herself when a guy tried to sexually assault her. Brought together by the incident, Sylvia struggles to maintain a professional relationship as she tries to suppress her growing fondness towards Sabel. Aside from the exceptional acting, &quot;T-Bird at Ako&quot; remains iconic for its early portrayal of lesbianism during a more conservative period.</p><p>Another digitally restored classic, this film is available to watch on the Cinema One Facebook page.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748838695195(3) 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>3. 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (2016)</strong></div><p>Set in the late 1990s post-lahar Pampanga, this film is a coming-of-age drama that tells the story of Felix (Khalil Ramos), an intelligent but friendless high school student whose life takes a turn when the half-American Synder brothers arrive at his school. Felix finds himself especially drawn towards Magnus Snyder (Ethan Salvador), whom he forms an unlikely bond with after Magnus asks Felix to tutor him. However, as he learns more about the enigmatic brothers, Felix becomes entangled in a web of complex relationships and darker motives. With captivating acting performances and a magnetic soundtrack, &quot;2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten&quot; explores friendship, identity, the impact of colonial mentality, and most importantly, the complexities of first love, all set against the backdrop of a community still recovering from the Mount Pinatubo eruption.</p><p>This film is available to watch on iWantTFC app or website.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748838749413(4) Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:431px"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>4. Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005)</strong></div><p>This film is quite unique on this list as it depicts the story of a young effeminate gay with a supportive family in an otherwise unforgiving society. Set in the slums of Manila, Maxi (Nathan Lopez), as dearly called by his father and two brothers, tries to live an innocent life despite his family being involved in petty crime. But his life starts to change when he is sexually assaulted one night then saved by the young, new police officer in town, Victor (JR Valentin), whom he develops a crush on. As Maxi’s feelings for Victor grow, he finds himself torn between his affections for the police officer and his loyalty towards his family.</p><p>More than a coming-of-age film, &quot;Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros&quot; delves into the theme of longing for meaningful connections and challenges stereotypical representations of the queer community at the time.</p><p>This film is available to watch on iWantTFC app or website.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748838781296(5) Mamu_ And A Mother Too.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>5. Mamu: And A Mother Too (2018)</strong></div><p>This film revolves around Mamu (Iyah Mina), a transgender sex worker in her 40s who aspires to have breast implants as she believes it will help her in her work as she ages. But her life takes a turn when all of a sudden, her sister dies and she becomes the guardian of her orphaned niece, Bona (EJ Jallorina), who is also a transgender youth just beginning to explore her own sexuality. Mamu is forced to navigate this new responsibility while juggling her struggle to find work in order to still achieve her personal aspirations, especially as someone who was not able to graduate due to poverty.</p><p>&quot;Mamu: And A Mother Too&quot; is a social commentary on the intersectionality of the reality that transgender women face and the economic challenges in the country.</p><p>This film is available to watch on iWantTFC app or website.</p>

<p>These five films offer unique perspectives on certain issues that the queer community face in the country. Remembering the history and struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community is one way of celebrating Pride Month.</p>

These five films offer unique perspectives on certain issues that the queer community face in the country. Remembering the history and struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community is one way of celebrating Pride Month.

History and struggle of PH queer community: 5 films to watch for Pride Month

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History and struggle of PH queer community: 5 films to watch for Pride Month

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Denielle Catingub

Published Jun 03, 2025 08:00 AM PHT

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