mo alam na minsan pala just jumping from the edge, it really works.” But there was a bigger reason that kept him going. “I just wanted to write a song. I must admit na — kanina nahirapan ako sabihin ito — but I’m going for legacy. Ano ba ang contri- bution or contribution na nagawa ko sa LGBT community? Wala akong palpable na bagay na masabi na ito ang aking naga- wa. Wala talaga, except for doing what I do, which is teach at school and do television shows,” he reflected. “I said, I wanna do something. I must also admit that inside and outside of the community, ang ingay. There’s a lot of disagreements, ang daming debate, ang daming iba’t ibang mga diskurso,” he said, referring to issues like the SO- GIE Bill, same-sex rights and marriage, etc. “Sabi ko, what is ironic is we haven’t thought of using mu- sic, dance as a tool to tell our story, at least kami dito, at least tayo dito… Yung parang hindi pa natin naiisip ito. Sporadically, may one song about gay love, you know, other materials. “But wala talaga yung pagtuunan natin ng pansin at gas- tusan natin ito. And I spent every single centavo for all the production, the writing, lahat! Mabuti naman hindi masya- dong mahal siya. Nagdahan-dahan kasi nga matagal na pana- hon. Siguro kung biglaan parang aaray ka talaga, ‘di ba? “I wanted more presence (for the LGBT community). I wanted to be heard more. I wanted to be seen more in cer- tain spaces like legislative houses,” he said. However, Boy doesn’t want to go into debates anymore and is opting for a route that he hopes is more unifying or illuminating rather than divisive. “Sabi ko, bakit hindi natin gamitin ang kanta or maaaring sayaw at sumubok tayo. Kasi doon (in that area) hindi polar- izing. May mensahe ang kanta, but we don’t have to debate about anything, about terminology, about whatever, about gender,” he said. “Mas magaan kasi. And this is a business, this is an in- dustry, this is a tool that I’m very familiar with.” Tonight, Boy is finally dropping the first single, Bilang, from the six-song EP album. The video will be uploaded on his digital platforms, while the song will be available on various audio-streaming sites. Bilang is upbeat that it can be a club anthem or a TikTok trend, but the message might somehow find relevance in this season leading to next year’s elections. For the entire album project, where Boy is credited for the lyrics and concept, as well as overall producer, he has worked with award-winning composer Jonathan Manalo and partnered with Star Music. The rest of the songs — with messages about struggles, acceptance, future hopes for the community, faith and spirituality (there’s a song inspired by Pope Francis) — will be released every Friday until the official album launch by the end of the month. The songs will be performed by LGBT artists Saga, Raven and Antenor. “These are excellent singers, finalists ng mga iba’t ibang contests, like ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan,’” he said. “Say It Clear Say It Loud” may be an LGBT themed album, but Boy wants to make it clear that he wants the music to resonate with everyone. “I don’t wanna sell an LGBT song. I wanna sell a song,” Boy stressed. “At saka yun ang laban. Mainstream naman, for lack of a better word, as mainstream is not politically correct in a sense, but I’m used to doing television, I’m used to man- aging artists who worked in the mainstream. So, I don’t wanna label our songs as, yes LGBT ang theme, pero ilalaban namin as songs, as music.” entertainment C1 EDITOR: NATHALIE M. TOMADA SUB-EDITOR: JERRY DONATO FRIDAY | JUNE 7, 2024 THE PHILIPPINE STAR By Baby A. Gil Joanna Ampil a stunner in all-star Rodgers & Hammerstein tribute }C3 Politics may be a different world from the Paris runways she attends, but fashion icon Heart Evangelista said she is ready to take on her new role as Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. (SSFI) head. Dressed in a broad shouldered denim suit, Heart took her oath with other senators’ spouses and children as officials of the SSFI, the Senate’s charitable arm formed in 1987 to raise funds for street chil- dren, elderly, and the urban poor. Heart took her oath before her husband, new Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who had advised his celebrity wife about her entry into politics. “She is nervous because public service is not her world. Her big- gest sacrifice would be her time and attention for her new role — time and effort that could have been for me,” Senator Chiz quipped in an interview after the ceremony. Heart, whose real name is Love Marie Ongpauco, said she looked forward to her new role in the political realm, taking to heart her husband’s advice not to let the pressure get to her. “Of course, I’m nervous. This is not my world. But even if that’s the case, I won’t be doing the same thing. So you won’t be expecting me to be going to certain things just to take pictures,” Heart said in an ambush interview. “I really want to do something and make a change. I don’t want it to be just another celebrity put in this position. I want to work. So I’m excited,” she added. Asked if she would sacrifice for her new role the time spent for her modeling and her attendance at the Paris Fashion Week, Heart said she couldn’t just let go of her fashion lifestyle. After all, she still has bills to pay. “I still have to work to pay the bills. But it’s all about balancing and distributing your time. I will strive to do it,” Heart said. Asked about a personal proj- ect she hopes to add to SSFI, the actress said she would “do a little bit of a modern approach” and “add a few more sustainability programs.” Another celebrity in the mix is television host Mariel Padilla, Senator Robin Padilla’s wife who took her oath as the foundation’s public relations officer. The other officers of the foun - dation are Kathryna Yu-Piment- el, Senate minority leader Koko Pimentel’s wife and now vice president and chair for social events; Maricel Tulfo, Senator Raffy Tulfo’s daughter, secretary and chair for public assistance; Teodoro Llamanzares, Senator Grace Poe’s husband, assistant secretary and chair for finance and logistics; Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, Senator Ra- mon Revilla’s wife and trea- surer; Social Welfare Undersec- retary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Senator Mark Villar’s wife, legal counsel and chair for environ- ment; Nancy dela Rosa, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa’s wife and public relations officer; Taguig mayor Lani Cayetano, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s wife and chair for arts and culture; Mark Lapid, Senator Lito Lapid’s son and chair for ways and means; and Issa Baraquel, Senator Risa Hontiveros’ daughter and chair for youth and women. Heart Evangelista takes on ‘daring’ role as Senate spouses foundation head By MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB The rest of the SSFI officers are Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, Mariel Rodriguez, Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, Maricel Tulfo, Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, Brian Poe Llamanzares, Social Welfare Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay- Villar, Nancy dela Rosa and Issa Baraquel.
STAR / File
