Sexuality Ed.

High school’s complicated enough as it is. Try hacking through the ominous thick of social groups and grades while carrying the burden of being gay. Set in the repressive confines of a Catholic boarding school, Bare takes us into its caustic corridors and reveals the oft-buried trial of teendom that is coming out in order to come of age.

Baring more than the opposite of their identities, and flipping their sexual status, Amos Francia and Bibo Reyes assume the roles of Jason, the Spartan school boy, and Peter, the class nobody, respectively, who transition from buddies to boyfriends albeit secretly. With heterosexual Bibo going gay and openly gay Amos shoving himself back in the closet for the role, it’s not just about a thespian challenge for these guys but looking inward to find something everyone can recognize — love.

AMOS FRANCIA

I discovered I was gay when... I realized I had too many posters of Titanic in my room, and that I wasn’t keeping them because of Kate Winslet, but rather, because of Leo (haha). I didn’t know what to do about it. So I think, I just indulged myself and bought more posters and books all about Leonardo di Caprio. I started copying his hair, wanted my hair blonde, and started thinking about acting.

The hardest thing about playing straight is... N/A. ’Coz I don’t play straight in real life anymore. (Lol.) But, in the play, by the way, Jason’s not straight. He’s either gay/bi. So I was playing a gay/bi guy who was playing it straight (there’s a difference). And the hardest thing about that was keeping my fingers from flinging up (making pilantik). Haha!

How did your experiences in dealing with straight people affect how you played one?

Well, they definitely helped. I remember a particular experience in grade school, I was with Ateneo Children’s Theatre, and rumors started spreading that I was gay. And back then, Pauleen Luna and I were friends, so (I don’t know if I asked her) I made up a story that we had an M.U. and it spread, and my batchmates started congratulating me and stuff. So I was safe for the moment. Pauleen knew better I’m sure.  

The worst gay stereotype is... the effeminate parlorista (might be redundant). It’s the worst simply because it’s the most pervasive. No offense to parloristas, but not all us want to go into hair, OK, people?

What’s gay love got to do with it? What’s so different about two guys in love? Is being gay all about the easy lay?

You mean it’s easy to get laid when you’re gay? That’s another stereotype right there. (Lol.) Maybe it’s easy if you’re not too choosy. (Lol.) Anyway, Essentially, gay love is no different from hetero love, in the same way that gay rights are no different from human rights, gay hair, from straight hair (or maybe there is in hair. (Lol.) The fact of the matter is, it’s just taboo. Most people, despite the times, are still not used to it. Especially the Anita Bryants of our time.  

What does the play say about love?

Love knows no gender.

Do gays and religion mix?

Yes. Because if anything, religion is the bearer of hope and faith. If it must do anything, it must be to give support and unconditional acceptance towards all of God’s children, regardless of their innate characteristics. Puwera na lang siguro if a human loves a lobster or a jellyfish or something.

What did you learn about yourself and straight guys in this play?

I learned that it’s easy playing the straight-acting gay guy, who’s still under the sheets. But man, the real ones, are in for a scare. I say get over it, as soon as you can. Instead of mounting more and more problems for yourself in the future. Truth is a bitch, but it sets you free.

Do you have your own prejudices/stereotypes about straight people?

Well, not really. But I guess all of us, are “a little bit racist” sometimes, and that’s not really a bad thing, as long as you still treat people with dignity and respect.

How do you feel about Milk?

I love the story of Harvey Milk. The message, I think, is the same as Bare’s. Our society can only begin to accept us once we’ve braved our own fears, and shed ourselves into the light. Closets are for clothes. Gays are for stardom.

I played straight because... I had no choice. Haha! In theater, there is no democracy. The director is God.

 Dude,______is so gay. Dude, Puerto Galera is so gay…

What does this play aim to say?

Come out of there, ate, the world is waiting.

BIBO REYES

What were your preconceptions/impressions about gays before this play? Have they changed since then?

Almost none at all.  I’d learned to deal with gay people with no prejudices.  I’ve already had a number of gay friends in the past, and as for the role itself, I’d already worked with Amos in a previous play.

What my friends have been firing at me: My friends have all been very supportive, but I guess a lot of them were initially shocked. Since it’s my first lead role, I immersed myself devoutly in my character,  willing to go to great lengths to impart this resounding message to people.

How did you prepare for playing gay?

I looked at my character as not being essentially effeminate, so I focused instead on how he (Peter) was shunned instead.  I looked into how I was shunned in the past and applied that to my character.

How’d you land this role? What drew you to it?

I didn’t intend on auditioning for it, really.  But later on, I realized what a big opportunity  it was so I went ahead and did it.  I guess fate stepped in.

What have you learned about yourself in doing this play?

That I can achieve many things if I apply myself.  For example, I had to lose weight for the role, so I just focused and went ahead and did it.

Are you open to swinging the other way now?

Nope.  I’m still VERY much straight.

Do gays and religion mix?

Religion and homosexuality are part of our world, so of course, they do. 

Prop 8, something to hate?

Nope, not at all.

The hardest thing about playing gay: The physical aspect, obviously..

The best thing about going gay is... I wouldn’t know.

I played gay because... It was a story that needed to be told,  and I felt I could do it justice.

Dude, ______ is so gay… Dude, Amos is so gay!  Hahaha!

What does this play aim to say? 

That what you are is what God made you,  and nobody can say differently, and that love has to be present in everyone’s life, absolutely no one is an exception.