About
This is the blog of an out and proud gay Filipino man, the author of “God Loves Bakla” which is being released internationally by Maverick House Publishers of Ireland as “Of God and Men”. I believe that people’s prejudices against gay men and women stem largely from their ignorance about our real day-to-day lives. If we can bring our hidden lives out of the closet and into the light, people will realize that we are not much different from everyone else, and that we deserve the same rights and treatment as everyone else. Change has come in many parts of the Western world, and I hope to do my part to foster change in the country of my birth.
“If you build it, he will come.”
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Of God, Men and Bakla 
Hi Raymond,
How are you? I’m glad that you have reshaped your book and given it a new title, and I also like reading about your reflections and experiences. I am back in Cambodia after a long absence due to my health issues. My health has improved a lot and its good to be back in Cambodia.
I never forgot our lunch with each other last year its still in my head about what you said. I think you are right! God wants us to be happy and to finally have that someone in our lives where we can wake up in the morning with real and true love in our eyes.
I pray that your journey in Egypt will bring you new experiences and enlightenment about yourself. I still down sometimes in the quiet evenings and think about your story as it reminds me of one day having my story written down too. Please read my latest entry in my blog when you are free. I’ve managed to update it after a long absence from writing entries.
With love, compassion and valour my queer friend.
regards, Paddy.
Hi Raymond,
I just finished reading your book “God loves Bakla”
I chanced upon it while idly waiting for my friend at National Bookstore at Greenbelt 1.
The book was a good read! Very honest and moving. I have to stop several times cause I can’t help but cry. I felt like I was reading something about myself. As a matter of fact some paragraphs and lines are still very vivid in my mind that caused tears falling from my eyes while actually writing this. Your book made an impact in me.
Interestingly, I am getting married to the “Robert” of my life in few days in South Africa. Just imagine the coincidence. I happy to have read your book just before my own wedding cause it inspired me a lot. I am sure your book will be an inspiration to a lot of people – gay or straight alike – in the Philippines and to the whole world.
More power to you.
Thanks a lot for writing. I’m so happy that GLB is reaching so many readers like you. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You are very lucky and blessed to have found love. Please help spread the love and also spread the word about GLB. God bless you and your husband. All the best to you both.
Love,
Raymond
Your book is an eye opener, to those who are blindfolded by their ignorance, I went to SM Manila about a week ago, to walk around and look for references for my project, I don’t know what and where to look for, my feet brought me to National Bookstore, I didn’t even know what section I was browsing at, but there it was God Loves Bakla, tucked behind other books, the only copy in the store, I had it placed on “reserved” because my money wasn’t enough and bought it the following day… Atty. Raymond, by any chance you can grant an interview for my Sociology Class documentary? If it won’t be a bother at all. Please email me when you have time, my email address is joycayobit76@yahoo.com. Thank you very much in advanced. God bless.
Hi Raymond, a contact from a law firm in Singapore referred me to you. However, I found out from your blog that you no longer work in Cambodia. I first went to Cambodia two years ago working for an NGO, and have since moved on to a more private sector approach. My objective is to provide capacity building for the young generation through businesses. If possible, could you send me an email at mad.shuqi@gmail.com as I would like to seek your advice on a few specifics. Thanks.
Hi Raymond. I will attend your book launch and have also invited friends to join. I blog about lgbt stuff and will post the details of your launch on Friday. There aren’t a lot of books on LGBT by Filipino authors, so am glad we have yours as addition. Will definitely buy your book and promote to friends. 🙂 Cheers to you!
Thank you, Firewomyn! Please be sure to come introduce yourself to me during the launch. I’ve been wanting to be more active in blogging and perhaps you have some inspirational tips for me. More power to you!
Good morning sir Raymond! I wasn’t able to make it to your book launch at Galeria because of work and i feel sad 😦 i wish that wasn’t the first and last event you’re gonna be doing locally because i really look forward to meeting you in person (and i just blew the chance.. 😦
Thanks, Odee. It was a good launch, and I was happy to see many old faces and some new ones. There will be a next time. Hope to meet you then.
Hello, I am a Taiwanese who lives in Taipei Taiwan. I am a homosexual man who was born in 1983. I have never been to Philippines, and I am curious about being gay in Philippines. Is Philippines a friendly country for gay people?
Hello! Thank you for writing to me. Yes, the Philippines is generally a friendly country for gay people, and there are places where gays can freely congregate and meet up. However, the situation is not yet legally protected and recognized, and there is still a social stigma attached to being gay. You can check the internet and read many blogs on being gay in the Philippines by gay men. There are good stories and bad stories, of course, like in many Asian countries. But I would still say that my country is one of the most open and tolerant of gay people in Southeast Asia, relatively speaking.
Thanks for your kind and friendly reply. I had been through a lot and hurt in this bad little tiny island that most countries don’t admit Taiwan as a country. I always admire intellegent people like Monica Bellucci, who speaks not only her native Italiano but also Francais and she made a successful film career in Francia(France). I guess gay population already vary rare and especially in Taiwan many evil gay people on cyberspace and some good people get infected HIV by them or get killed by them and mass media always focus on that kind of news. I adore men with dark coloured skin like black people and men from Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand. My family is not rich and I have never been to Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Italia, Francia, Beligique or Suisse. I feel alone and repressed in Taiwan. Thank you for giving me such a nice respond. Sorry for my limited English.
My dear friend, I hope you will get the chance someday to travel outside of Taiwan and be able to experience being accepted as a gay man in other countries. However, I also think that perhaps you can also reach out to other gay Taiwanese men in your own country who are good and genuinely concerned about helping other gay people like them. Be careful what you read on the Internet, but it can also be very helpful. I know it is not an easy situation for you, but please be strong and know that you are not alone. Take care of yourself, and may God bless you and keep you safe.
Thanks for your warm support! I guess I always want a man who can be my elder brother who can be my friends but also be like my teacher. I guess my ideal image of that kind of man is like president Noynoy Aquino. His smile makes me feel he is a trustful adult. You know, I’ve seen so many irresponsible and ugly adults during my 28 years life so far. I saw on news it says at this summer so far, many Filipino people lost thier home and precious life because of the damage caused by typhoon. I feel so sorry and realized many victims they live in poor area of Manila. Globalization since late 1990 already made rich people become more rich and pool people become more poor and I really feel sad about that. I can tell you there are lots of Taiwanese people are the same like Madonna’s famous hit single “Material Girl”. All they care about is $$$ not onlt those people in entertainment business but also non showbiz people. I adore your country’s people not get polluted by those superficial things like pricey houses, bags, clothes, diamonds etc. I know those superficial material can’t bring me real happiness. Although I have to admit going to study in oversea countries like Italia or Francia need lots of money. I appreciate your kindness so much although my English is poor and I can’t use Tagalog or Espanol or Portuguese.
Dear Raymond,
I purposely sought out your book, “God loves Bakla” because like you, I am a Christian LGBT. I haven’t finished reading it yet, but from what I’ve read so far, you could say that like many others, I could relate to many of your experiences. I could especially relate to the two themes of searching for the self, and searching for God. Thank you for chronicling your experiences.
I’m presently visiting (or should I say forum-shopping, haha) various Christian churches in the hopes that I could find a Christian community to call home. While I do know that there is no perfect church, I also believe that (like love) there is a church that is meant for me. May I know to which church you go to, if it isn’t too personal a question? Perhaps you’ve already mentioned it in your book, but alas I am still in the chapters where you are a student leader in the Sanggu of Ateneo.
my warmest regards.
Hi Mr. Raymond! I just finished reading Of God and Men, which my friend gifted to me last Christmas. You are an inspiration to the LGBT community! When I become a full pledged Physician, I promise to give a copy of OGM to each of my gay friends, and “straight” ones as well! I believe that I found my “Robert,” too! Thank you and keep inspiring others! Happy New Year!
P.S. I would have gladly emailed a picture of me and my “Robert” had I known your email address. 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Brent. I am glad that the book is finding its audience, and that all the hard work invested has been worth it. Please go ahead and share my book with others, particularly those whom you believe will be helped by its message of being true to oneself. I am curious about your “Robert” and will be emailing you privately. 🙂 Thanks again, and happy new year!
Raymond