People like us

LIVE…​WERK… SLAY MOMMA

"Serving you Filipiñana Realness, it’s Maria Juana Clara!” Screams and constant cheers were heard.

“Judges, do we have the scores? TEN! TEN! TEN! TEN! TENS ACROSS THE BOARD!” Screams and cheers got louder for every “TEN” that was held up.

“The winner, for the Filipiñana ball is, the House of Filibusterismo!”

The House of Filibusterismo won a ball, yet again. The House of Filibusterismo is a new house founded by a transsexual woman named Maria Juana Clara. The name “Filibusterismo” was inspired by Jose Rizal’s novel, “El Filibusterismo” which translates to “The reign of greed”. Maria chose this name because her initial purpose was to snatch every trophy like a corrupt priest, greedy for power and wealth, but through time, her motive changed. As a misfit of the society, she decided it was her destiny to adopt any child, banished and unaccepted from their original homes and build them up.

To celebrate her win, she went to Androgyny, Quezon City’s best luxury gay club with her best friend, Viktoria, one of the house’s original members.

“No. No. No.” Viktoria complained. “They don’t serve people like us here.” VIktoria added. “Honey please, money is money. That’s the only thing that matters in the businesses.” Maria said in response. The moment they walk in the club, all eyes were on them for all the wrong reasons.

"I didn’t know Halloween was celebrated in April” some guy in a fake Gucci sweater told them with a mocking tone. “Girl, bye” Viktoria said while rushing to exit the club. Maria grabbed her by the wrist and told her “One drink” and they sat by the cocktail bar. “Hello sir, I’ll have a threesome and my friend over here…” “A Tequila sunrise” Viktoria said while interrupting Maria. The bartender grunts and tells them “I’m sorry ma’am, you have to go. I don’t want other customers thinking its costume night”. “We are not in costumes. We are women and just like anyone else here in this club we are customers” Maria replied with irritation and anger in her voice. “That’s the thing, this place is for men. Not for people like you.” The bartender replied as Maria and Viktoria went out of the club.

People like you. That statement stuck with Maria. The two called a Grab and left the scene. “Oh this is not over” said Maria as soon as she shut the taxi’s door. “It was over before it even started” said Viktoria. Maria looked out the window, at the dull orange lights of the street posts, her head, drifting away as she heared Vitoria’s nails being tapped on the taxi door. “Everyone ends up looking for someone to feel superior, but that line ends with us though. After the women, dark-skinned, impoverish gays, lesbians then us. Our kind”. “But they’re gay” Maria said, tearing up. “Gay, straight, it doesn’t matter at all. They all think that I, we, people like us have psychological issues. Is it unfair? Of course, it is. Nothing in life is fair. That’s why we stand up for ourselves. We choose to argue even if it’s hard, because those are the things worth fighting for”. Viktoria stopped seeing Maria cry in deep pain. Viktoria touched her hand and said, "The balls are our place. That is where we belong. They were created so people like us could matter. It is the only place where people like us are free and appreciated”. They ended on that note.

As they left the taxi and went into their apartment Maria spoke. “Hey, get ready for next week, it’s the crowning for “Mother of the Year”. Maria smiled at Viktoria before she entered her room, closing the door.