By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
‘TIEMPO muerto’ is a period of economic adversity in Negros Island. It is the off-milling season for sugar.
It is also called “tigkiriwi” (pained facial expression) and usually occurs between April and August.
This year, however, tiempo muerto is expected to last until October due to the El Niño phenomenon that “dried up” or severely affected the province for the past five months. With this, everybody – rich or poor – in Negros is whining: “Pura-ot gid!”
Definitely, all sectors of society, including the most cheerful and vibrant Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBT) community, are directly or indirectly affected.
In the absence of fiestas and other cultural activities, LGBTQ members seem “jobless”. But both Mayors Marvin Malacon and Madonna Jaojoco of EB Magalona and Toboso towns, respectively, have made astonishing initiatives, spotlighting gay people in their respective turfs.
‘WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY’
Malacon allowed the EB Magalona Beauticians Association (EBMBA), a group of 75 gays, to manage the municipal government-owned structure in Barangay Madalag into a floating “sugba-sugba” restaurant.
It’s the Isla Madalag Eco-Haven that used to be the seafood tourism and environmental advocacy hub of EB Magalona. Now, enveloped by lush mangroves, this idled structure along the Madalag River is conducive to family bonding.
Malacon also gave the LGBTQ group P300,000 as startup capital to run such food grilling business only on weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. only.
The mayor stressed that beyond respect for gay people, he also values inclusivity.
Above all, Malacon wants to help gay people to also ace the current challenging economic crunch.
In turn, Jojo Vargas, the town’s environment chief and adviser for EBMBA, said all the staff of their sugba-sugba business – from the manager to cooks to waiters to entertainers – are gay members.
EBMBA president John Carl Castigador vowed to take good care of their business venture to show to the public that they’re serious for their members’ sake and value the trust of the mayor.
‘MISS SIR’
In Toboso, gays are given the opportunity to make everyone happy amid the tiempo muerto.
An instant search for “Miss Sir”, a gay beauty pageant, was held at the town’s public plaza on August 3.
Councilor Richard Jaojoco said “Miss Si” was an “out-of-blue” event after seeing the sad faces of their constituents for having no work.
Jaojoco said majority of their residents are farm workers thus jobless for now.
He said, “We gave aids but these are not enough to suffice the sad reality that our people are experiencing right now.”
“To ease their burden, we organized a gay beauty pageant to enliven their spirit,” he added.
Hitting the right target, Toboso’s plaza was jampacked during the “Miss Sir” tilt. Blasts of laughter cracked the night.
For Councilor Jaojoco, the 10 gay contestants really played a vital role of being “pain relievers” for the agonizing sugar farm workers in Tobos. Weird to say, but the deep meaning of such an activity is beyond measure.
UNIQUE SITUATION, BATTLE
It is said that every LGBTQ member has a unique situation or battle unknown to many. To be unwelcomed in a “normal” society is quite traumatic. They are bullied sometimes.
Mayors Malacon and the Jaojocos found ways to empower them.
“Empowering” gays to economically survive hardships and to entertain the worried populace is a smart decision.
As British-American fashion designer Tan France said, “There’s no right or wrong way to be gay.” So, never judge anyone./PN
