We love the plethora of queer films that have made us cry, laugh, and both suffer through and celebrate the gay experience. Central to these narratives are characters that have opened up the queer space. They have shed light on what it’s like to come out, fall in love, and embrace one’s self, no matter the gender they identify with. We have these characters to thank because, through them, our empathy keeps expanding big enough to welcome anyone in this infinite spectrum of colors.

1. Remington (Patayin sa Shokot si Remington, 2011)

As a boy, Remington runs around town taunting queers and yelling “Bakla, bakla!” at them. One day, he earns the ire of a mysterious transgender woman who casts a spell on Remington, cursing him to become gay when he grows up. The spell takes effect when Remington becomes a young adult, attracted to a city girl. We watch the curse take effect with much delight, as Remington becomes what he fears most: gay. It is downright entertaining to see his punishment manifest. He loses control of his jock-type masculinity, starts fantasizing over his best friend, Jigs, and becomes fluent in swardspeak. We love how this campy film turns homophobia into a campy coming-of-age story that teaches a thing or two about placing one’s self in the shoes of a queer man to comprehend queerness.

2. Jason Ty (I’m Drunk I Love You, 2017)

“Time check!” Jason Ty might not be the central character of the main love triangle in this narrative but Dominic Roco’s comedic support and presence in this film truly shines. Jason Ty is the sounding board of Maja Salvador’s Carlson, a girl desperately in love with her best friend, Dio (Paulo Avelino). As a loyal friend, Jason Ty is always ready to lend a sympathetic ear and offer a shoulder to cry on but never without a sarcastic, laugh-out-loud remark on Carlson’s lovelorn state. Gay besties are a common trope in rom-coms which is why when scenes are allotted to Jason Ty finding his “Tomorrow Person” in a polyamorous affair, the character becomes extra special.

3. Alex and Jess (Baka Bukas, 2016)

Alex is a cynical, quiet creative, and loyal best friend to Jess whose personality is opposite Alex. Jess is the life of the party which makes you question why Alex is so drawn to her. But love wins in this film about friendship and coming out. The scenes are so visually pleasing and the soundtrack adds so much “feels” to those tender moments between the friends-turned-lovers. We love how Baka Bukas feels like a music video where two gorgeous lesbians come together to find true love in a bond they’ve shared for so long.

4. Felix (2 Cool 2 Be Forgotten, 2017)

We love Khalil Ramos’ portrayal of a high-achieving student, Felix, whose intelligence makes him the odd one out in his school in a quiet post-lahar Pampanga town. He is friendless until he meets Magnus Snyder, a Filipino-American newcomer in his high school, who asks Felix to tutor him. This opens the door for Felix to find an unexpected companion in the handsome Magnus, paving the way to discover his sexuality. Peterson Vargas’ coming-of-age, queer film is a poignant, heart-racing depiction of teenage love with bites of reality told from the perspective of a young queer boy in a small town.

5. Karl and Vlad (Gaya sa Pelikula, 2020)

You can play the episodes of Gaya sa Pelikula over and over again and still find yourself feeling endlessly kilig over Karl and Vlad’s does-he-like-me-or-not-? scenes. The TV series, a successful entry in the deluge of BL (boys’ love) genre, is a feel-good story about two boys who end up being roommates and falling for each other. Their obvious chemistry aside, we love Karl and Vlad’s story of overcoming personal baggage and identity crisis before unlocking a sincere and honest love.

6. Trisha (Die Beautiful, 2016)

We love Paolo Ballesteros’ depiction of the transgender slash pageant queen, Trisha, in Jun Lana’s pride favorite film. The character’s journey echoes every gay’s narrative: experiencing unwantedness and abandonment within their own families and bravely choosing a life that makes them free. Trisha’s beautiful looks throughout the film are a joy to watch and celebrate the drag community’s creativity and ingenuity. Meanwhile, flashbacks from her life effortlessly draw empathy from the audience as they are taken through the highs and lows of Trisha’s colorful life.

7. Ada/ Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah (Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, 2016)

We love a gay parlorista who turns into a red-haired superheroine gifted with an indestructible chest and the superstrength to take down her town’s baddies. Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah is the transgender version of Wonder Woman which packs the character an extra punch of fun and gayness. We equally love her mortal version when she’s not fighting giant frogs and Amazonistas. As Ada, she is relatable as a heartbroken girl who wants to be loved in return by the man she is attracted to.

This article was written by Abby Mendoza, our Creative Lead.

Pinoy Pride: 7 LGBTQ+ Characters We Love from Filipino Films