Epey Herher on being gay:'Hinding hindi magiging kasalanan ang pagpapakatotoo'

Rhea Manila Santos

<div><img src='' alt='020914-epey_mainphoto.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>After making history as the first ever grand winner of the popular <i>It’s Showtime</i> segment <i>That’s My Tomboy</i>, Epey Herher said she still can’t believe she emerged victorious from over 39 participants. The Occidental Mindoro native said she did not join the show just to enter showbiz, but to keep a promise to her best friend who had passed away.</div><div><br/></div><div>“<i>Ang gusto ko lang talaga ay tuparin ko promise ko kay</i> Pinky. <i>Gustong gusto ko rin kumakanta sa harap ng maraming tao kasama gitara ko. Parang sobrang free ako. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na napapakilig yung mga</i> listeners,<i> na-i</i>-inspire <i>mo sila sa pamamagitan ng</i> music,” she said.</div><div><br/></div><div>Herher said she considers herself lucky in terms of family life. As the eldest of two children, she said she never had to face the dilemma of when to come out as a lesbian to her family.<i> “Bata pa lang ako alam na ng mama ko na, ‘Ay teka parang iba itong panganay ko ah!’ Kasi bumili siya ng dalawang laruan, kapatid ko kasi lalake. Ang binili niya para sa akin Barbie doll, ang binili niya para kay</i> James (her brother), Shaider, <i>kaya lang ako ang naglaro ng Shaider, si</i> James <i>yung</i> Barbie doll (laughs).<i> Pero ako lang yung natuluyan, si</i> James <i>hindi naman natuluyan na mag-</i>Barbie (laughs),” she admitted.</div><div><br/></div><div>The 25-year-old former English tutor said that since joining the show, she has experienced many positive changes in her community. <i>“Nung bago nag-That’s My Tomboy, pag nasa daan sinasabihin nila ako ng tomboy, yung parang minamaliit nila yung mga tomboy. Ngayon iba na pag lumalabas, sinasabi nila,</i> ‘Oh my God <i>si ano yan yung sa That’s My Tomboy sa Showtime lumalabas.’ Bro na yung tawag nila sa amin hindi kagaya dati na dina-down nila kami. Ngayon ‘bro’ at ‘dude’ na,”</i> she admitted.</div><div><br/></div><div>Herher said that those who viewed the segment as degrading are missing the whole point of why lesbians were proud to join <i>That’s My Tomboy.</i> “In my personal opinion,<i> ginawa ang That’s My Tomboy hindi para i-encourage ang mga kabataan na parang, ‘Uy maging tomboy kayo!’ Ginawa itong segment na ito para mas maintindihan ng mga tao kung ano ba ang mga tomboy, bakit yung mga gays natatanggap, bakit yung mga tomboy hindi. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa napakatalinong tao na nakaisip ng </i>segment <i>na That’s My Tomboy. Binigyan kami ng karapatan, ng</i> chance <i>kung ano, sino talaga kami,”</i> she explained..</div><div><br/></div><div>The aspiring songwriter also had a simple message to those people who were in the closet or afraid to show their true sexuality. <i>“Sa mga feeling na hindi sila straight, siguro</i> you just have to be yourself. <i>At saka kahit tomboy</i> o lesbian <i>ka, hindi naman ibig sabihin kailangan mong magmukhang lalake eh. Kasi nararamdaman yan kasi. Like me for</i> example, <i>hindi ako kumportable na mahaba buhok ko so nagpagupit ako. Pero merong mga</i> lesbian <i>na mahahaba ang buhok. Kung san lang sila kumportable, as long as wala silang tinatapakan na tao, as long as nakakapag</i>-contribute <i>sila sa</i> society. <i>Hindi naman mahalaga yung</i> gender, just be yourself,” she said.</div>

That's My Tomboy winner Epey Herher defends It's Showtime's controversial segment against its detractors.

Epey Herher on being gay:'Hinding hindi magiging kasalanan ang pagpapakatotoo' | PUSH.COM.PH