I want to do more roles that push further representation of people like me – femme, queer, and unconventionally attractive. – Phi Palmos’
(Last of two parts)
Phi Palmos lives his advocacy. It’s clear his story goes beyond his art.
“Most definitely. Before I am an artist, I am an advocate first. I was a development worker that worked with various NGOs working on sexual and reproductive health and HIV and AIDS awareness. Right now, I am focused on pushing for more nuanced and sensitive portrayal and representation of queer people in media. That’s really my advocacy now. So, kahit sabihin pa nila na ba-box ako dahil panay bakla lang ang ginagampanan ko, ang sagot ko naman ay, pa’no ‘yung mga award-winning and veteran artists natin na babae at lalake lang ang ginagampanan? So, typecasted ba sila sa pagiging lalaki at babae? So para maging versatile na aktor you have to play a different gender? Gender is not character. So, di si Cate Blanchett lang pala ang versatile kasi nakapag-play siya ng lalake at babae at tomboy? So, pano si Meryl Streep? Pano si Vilma? Si Nora? Si Sharon? Maricel? Si Christopher de Leon? Hindi na ba sila versatile? So para sa’kin, hangga’t hindi tinatanong ang mga artista natin kung hindi ba sila natatakot na ma-typecast kasi babae at lalaki lang ang ginagampanan nilang roles, walang karapatan ang sinuman na tanungin ang kahit sinong LGBTQI+ actor kung bakit LGBTQI+ characters lang din ang ginagampanan nila. That’s my advocacy. Sabi nga ni Lola Nina Simone, ‘The artist’s duty is to reflect the times.’ And times are changing. This is the time to break barriers, change perspectives and expand our understanding of the world.
“I want to do more roles that push further representation of people like me – femme, queer, and unconventionally attractive. Ang lagi kasing nakikita, ‘yung mestizo, may abs, and masculine. Hindi pwede kasi kailangan mai-represent din ‘yung iba. I want to represent my tribe. Just recently, I did ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ (the short film in the Manila Film Festival) with Precious Paula Nicole and we played gay dads to a girl who is confused of who to bring to the Mother’s Day activity in school because her two dads are not in the choices of who can attend. I was so happy talking to people and them telling me that they felt seen. That it’s not a conventional casting that they always see especially with Boys’ Love (BL). I’m so happy kasi the casting was really the idea of the writer and director of the movie Ronnie Ramos, who is a very young filmmaker. Representation matters because you have to see a physical manifestation of your dreams. It unconsciously shows us our similarities that further binds our shared humanity. It makes the impossible, possible. So, hopefully I get to do more of that and in the future, maybe write, direct and produce it. Ala-Barbra Streisand,” Phi emphatically retorts with a quirkly smile.
How about love life? Does Phi actively seek for it or does he just let love find him?
Phi intimated, “I don’t actively seek for it na kasusy ako ngayon. Ang dami kong ginagawa. Haha! Pero my heart and my being is always open to the possibility of love. And alam ko din naman na pag dumating, gagawan at paglalaanan ko ito ng oras. So I guess I’m just letting love find me this time. Alam naman ng universe na naging active ako sa paghahanap at siguro di naman ako nagkulang. So, I am attracting that person. Ideally, not from the arts but someone who appreciates the arts para pag sinama ko siyang manood ng mga shows, maa-appreciate niya. O kaya siya mismo ang magyaya kasi he’s into it. Para din madami kaming mapag-uusapan. I always believe that the things that are meant for us will always find its way to us. Kaya sabi nga ni Antoinette Jadaone, ‘Manalig. Umibig. Lumigaya.’ That’s what Im doing now.”
So what else does Phi want to happen in his life right now?
“Siguro, I want people to know my name. Kasi most of the time, they know me and kung saan nila ako napanood pero di nila alam pangalan ko. One day, soon, I want people to know my name. Phi Palmos. Kasi right now, I’m so fortunate and grateful with all the opportunities that has been given to me. I am humbled because not everyone is given this chance. So, siguro ‘yun na lang. ‘Yung malaman nila ang pangalan ko. Kung something very tangible, ang mapasama sa CCP Encyclopedia of the Arts. As an artist nakaka-legit. Nakaka-premium.”
And as we end the Pride Month which we will continue to celebrate, Phi leaves this message, “Thank you for giving me space in your lives. You don’t have to, I did not ask for it, but you did. And I will be forever grateful for that. Thank you for your support because that meant supporting the things that I stand and fight for. And lastly, thank you for accepting me by allowing me to just be my authentic self. Pwede pala ‘yun. You didn’t have to, but you did. Katulad ng sigaw ni Rosanna sa ‘Mula sa Buwan’: Sanlibong salamat!”
That’s the Life of Phi : colorful and meaningful, full of pride and purpose and passion.
