a.

What messages were relayed to you when you were growing up that made you aware you
were a boy or a girl?

My Father was absent most my life and I had to step up. The constant reminder to be the man of
the house reminded me that I was a man, a boy.

There were some instances where my parents do not want me to act like a girl, as to be tough,
but growing up and learning about it, if I really knew what my sexuality is, I will not be insecure to
be called “gay” or “binabae” as I know what I really am.  

b. As a child, do you recall a particular experience which reminded you of your gender?

the constant reminder that I was a guy, a boy, a man wasn’t really as prevalent, and I didn’t think
about it as much as I knew that I wasn’t what they say I was.

My mom never told me that I move slow and acted like a girl, but I did hear it with some of my
distant uncles. My mom never hindered me to release and say my emotions so I never get
bothered by any comments like that. I used to argue with them,

:Napakabagal mo kumilos, para kang babae.

me:bakit? may mga mabibilis din naman na kumilos na babae ah? ano meron doon sa
comparison na yun?

I didn’t really believe in gender roles as if one person can do it, other people can do it too if they
really tried. a certain work isn’t locked into one gender.