Dr. Kildare ‘outs’ himself

Fans of Richard Chamberlain, still popularly known as Dr. Kildare (the character he played in the popular ’60s US TV series) and as Father Ralph in the ’80s TV series The Thorn Birds, might be pleasantly surprised to read the article entitled Out in the Open in a recent issue of People magazine in which "Dr. Kildare," as quoted in an excerpt from his autobiography Shattered Love, reveals what most everybody has been suspecting all along – yes, that he’s gay.

Now 69 and still looking as macho as he always has been, Chamberlain said that he had to keep his identity as a gay man a secret because he was afraid it would spell big trouble for his career, adding that "I’m tired of hiding" so he decided to "out" himself. "It took me writing this book to get to where I thought, ‘Wait a minute – there’s nothing wrong with me!’"

It was in his adolescence, recalled Chamberlain, when he began to notice that he was more attracted sexually to boys than to girls, even if in high school he did have several wonderful girlfriends and he was known as "a good kisser." But he "played the game" because at that time, in the ’40s and ’50s, it was deeply terrifying to imagine being labeled "a faggot, a pansy, a pervert."

After graduating in l956 from Pomona College and completing a US Army stint in Korea, Chamberlain went back to Los Angeles and studied acting. And then he entered showbiz.

In 1976, after well-kept affairs with other men, Chamberlain met and fell in love with Martin, now 50, with whom he has been living-in in Hawaii until now.

In the early ’90s, after the demise of his short-lived TV series Island Son (on which he collaborated with Martin), Chamberlain said he was shoved into "my darkest nightmare" when the tabs started "outing" gay celebrities and flashing their photos on the front pages, prompting Chamberlain to retreat into his shell. He has since "liberated" himself, free from his fears and his demons. The truth has set him free.

And now, his tell-all book.

"It has dawned on me," wrote Chamberlain, "that this whole painful drama of fear and loathing is a blatant travesty of reality. Sexual orientation is a benign personal matter, it is a total non-issue. This utterly novel experience of trust in the truth, in myself exactly as I was, was like finding myself smack in the middle of heaven."

Rex, too, has found himself

San Francisco Bay Area comedian Rex Navarrete also went through an "identity crisis" although of another sort.

Rex recalled that it was his Asian-American Studies college professor Dan Gonzales who first supported his dream to become a comedian in l989. "He told me, ‘Get out of my office. We shouldn’t be joking here. You should take those jokes to the stage.’"

So Rex did, who was then 19, first trying his skill at stand-up comedy before a crowd of 800 at the annual Asia Pacific Islander Student Union conference at the University of California, Santa Cruz. That’s where his "identity crisis" came in.

"I was looking for my identity then, just as everyone else did at that age. Much of my materials were very serious and lacked comedy. I figured that I had some important stuff to say, so I decided to say them in the stand-up-comedy format. That’s when I started to take comedy as a vehicle seriously."

More than a decade later, having found his "turf" and his identity as an artist, Rex has performed all across America, touring numerous colleges, universities and community events. Soon, he became a household word in Filipino homes all over America, recognized as "the most hilarious stand-up Fil-Am comedian."

Rex was introduced to his kababayan back home only several months ago. He clicked at once, turning himself into an "overnight sensation" among his fellow comedy-loving Pinoys.

"I get a different kind of satisfacftion entertaining my kababayan in our own country," said Rex.

(Note: For more of Rex’s hilarious act, watch for his show SARSmaryosep slated for July l8 and l9, 9 p.m. at the Music Museum. Originally planned to be a one-night show, SARSmaryosep was extended to two days due to insistent demand. Producer is Viva Concerts. Tickets priced at P1,000 and P750 are available at all Ticketworld outlets at National Bookstore branches, telephone number 891-5610; Music Museum, 721-6726/721-0635; or at Viva office, 687-1125. Call now for reservations. The STAR is among the sponsors.)

Camille still Mama and Papa’s girl

Just because she’s now l8 doesn’t mean that Camille Prats has to finally declare her independence and decide for herself.

"I’m still Mama and Papa’s girl," said Camille who had her debut last Saturday (June 21) at the Isla Ballroom of EDSA Shangrila Plaza Hotel. "I enjoy being under the care of my parents."

Being 18 doesn’t mean that Camille can now jump into a relationshiop. "I’m not in a hurry," she smiled.

Camille’s coming-out party was recorded for posterity in photos on this page. Her first dance was her Papa Dondi, followed by her kuya John. Among her well-wishers was her ardent admirer Francis Ricafort (LJ Moreno’s brother) who assured Camille that "I’m just around..."

Asked about Francis’ chances (on a scale of one to l0) if and when he decides to court her, Camille said, "9.5."

For more on Camille’s debut, watch for A Princess at l8 this Sunday, June 29, starting at 9 p.m. on ABS-CBN.

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