here is Jessica Zafra's review on the movie Zombadings Patayin Sa Shokot Si Remington
i personally think that the movie was made to entertain and at the same time, educate the society. So i salute the makers of this movie :). the policewoman sidekick of Janice deBelen made it funnier. Matt and Kirby also fit on their roles. Ms. Young is refreshing. Eugene Domingo and Roderick Paulate are Superb.
Jessica Zafra: Notes on the Bakla Undead
1. In Zombadings 1: Patayin Sa Shokot Si Remington (Scare Remington to Death) a little boy has the obnoxious habit of pointing at men and yelling, “Bakla!” (Gay!)
1.1. The objects of his attention are males who “look gay”, meaning they do not conform to the idea of “straight” manhood that he picked up from his male role model, his father. Remington’s dad is a bit of a bum, to tell the truth—he hangs around the family panciteria all day (he’s the “manager”), drinks a lot, dresses sloppily, doesn’t bother with personal grooming, and thinks he automatically deserves respect because he’s “a man”.
1.2. Therefore anyone who does not conform to this idea of manhood, such as a man who strives at his chosen profession and cares about his personal appearance, is gay. In other words Remington’s idea of heterosexual manhood is not flattering to heterosexuals.
1.3. Men who dress like women (transvestites), wear plenty of make-up, or speak in a certain way (screaming parloristas) also receive Remington’s unsolicited judgment.
2. How is one supposed to behave when a person points at him/her and yells “Bakla!”?
2.1 If one is gay, it depends on who’s saying it.
2.1.1. If the speaker is a friend who is also gay, it is the equivalent of “Hey!”
2.1.2. If it is an unknown person, one responds according to his mood: with cold derision (“Who is this creature yelling at me?”), withering scorn (“I am not acquainted with this species of uncouthness”), or sarcasm (“Hi, and I’m Remington!”). Or one could ignore the yeller altogether. It does not matter whether the person shouting “Bakla!” is homosexual or hetero, it is a matter of etiquette.
2.2. If one is a heterosexual male, the response should complement one’s personal style.
2.2.1. If one takes offense at being called “Bakla”, he should ignore the yeller and control the impulse to react violently. Violent reaction will be viewed as proof that he is gay, homophobia being a common indicator of repressed homosexuality.
2.2.2. If one is confident in his heterosexuality, it shouldn’t matter.
2.2.3. If one is extremely confident in his masculinity, and welcomes the admiration of women and gay men alike, he could lift his shirt and show his abs.
2.2.4. In hyper-testosteronic activities like rugby and other sports, athletes call each other “Bakla” or its many synonyms as a sign of affection. It is their puerile way of saying, “I am so fond of you that if I were gay I would have sex with you.” It is quite endearing, but only if one is hot. Otherwise it is reminiscent of the HBO prison drama, Oz.
Incidentally, the former Wales rugby team captain Gareth Thomas came out as a gay man, and the English player Ben Cohen has formed a foundation to combat homophobia and bullying.
2.3. If one is a heterosexual female, the response depends on the manner in which “Bakla” was uttered.
2.3.1. If the person who yelled “Bakla!” is a total stranger, it may be a comment on her outfit, shoes, or make-up, viz. “Mukha kang mujerista” (You look like a transvestite). Whether she considers it an insult or a compliment is entirely up to her.
2.3.2. If one is female and the person calling her “Bakla” is a friend, it is an expression of solidarity. It is an acknowledgement of your shared personal interests/struggles. This is how gay activist Danton Remoto usually greets me: “Hoy bakla, kailan tayo manonood ng rugby?” (Hey homosexual, when are we going to a rugby match?)
3. One day at the town cemetery Remington spots a man in a veil weeping in front of a tomb. Veils and weeping being “womanly” in his young macho understanding, he points at the man and jeers, “Bakla! Bakla! Bakla!”
The man turns to Remington and pronounces a curse: “When you turn 21, you will become gay.”
3.1. Can one become gay or is one born that way, as sung by Ga-Ga who’s been rumored to have a penis?
3.2. Is gayness a curse?
3.2.1. No more than being a hetero female or male is a curse, unless you are brought up to regard yourself as accursed.
3.2.2. If you live in a patriarchal society where you are required to be a jackass and knock up assorted women in the name of machismo, and you are punished for being true to your gay self, you will suffer.
3.2.3. If it is against your will, which is what happens in works of fiction such as movies, if it interferes with your right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, yes.
3.2.4. In the case of Remington we don’t want to spoil the movie for you so go see it.
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