Through their social media, writer Juan Miguel Severo and vloggers Tina Boado and Roanne Carreon, known as RoTin, call for better representation of LGBTQIA+ characters in TV and Film.
Their call to action was a response to actress Nathalie Hart’s statements about her role as a lesbian in an upcoming Maalaala Mo Kaya episode with Jane Oineza.
To give context, Hart said that she struggled to internalize her role, especially during her intimate scenes with Jane. Hart also added that she had to do it out of respect for the director and her co-actor.
“Medyo nahirapan ako. Ang hirap mag-internalize, kasi when I look at her eyes, I can’t feel the love. Pero I have to do it, kasi nakakahiya na with the director and my co-actor,” said Hart.
In another interview, Hart said it was her first time to portray as a lesbian on-screen. Nathalie also said she felt excited about doing the project and putting up with the character.
“It’s my first time to play (portray) a lesbian role. I’m very excited na nagawa ko siya at nalunok ko yung role na ito. I think I gave justice to the role,” said Hart.
Because of these statements, YouTube Vlogger Boado, who Hart portrays in the upcoming MMK episode, expressed her frustration about having her love story depicted on mainstream media by Hart.
Nothing more frustrating than having your love story depicted on mainstream media, only for you to find out later on that a homophobe played your role.
Sorry kung hindi mo maasiwa yung katiboan ko ha.
Our story deserves better.
Queer stories deserve better. #MMKwentongRoTin pic.twitter.com/ZWtLvRxpaq— Tina Boado 🌈 (@inaurner) February 24, 2021
She added that this incident should serve as a lesson to the showbiz industry moving forward.
Anw, we poured our hearts into the making of this ep. Roanne & I are happy to have met allies w/in MMK.
I hope that this serves as a lesson for the industry moving forward.
Mag focus na lang tayo sa kwento ng episode namin on the 27th at hindi sa mga artista. #MMKwentongRoTin
— Tina Boado 🌈 (@inaurner) February 24, 2021
Carreon, Tina’s partner, portrayed by Oineza, also reacted via Twitter. She wrote that the incident was heartbreaking for her. Roanne also urged the public to use this opportunity to educate, raise awareness and create more allies.
Sobrang heartbreaking nito para sa amin dahil manifestation ito ng realidad natin. MMK team reached out to us and promised to do better.
Let’s take this opportunity to educate, raise awareness, and create more allies. #MMKwentongRoTin https://t.co/roYNBUsrt5
— Roanne Carreon (@racarreon) February 24, 2021
Severo also reacted to Hart’s statement. He urged production teams to hire actors aligned with the message of the story.
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1364578501056098304
He also called out Hart’s lack of empathy for the person she was portraying.
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1364579905950814218
Severo also called out actors who find LGBTQIA+ roles a challenge compared to roles promoting violence.
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1364584165581021186
Then, Severo called out MTRCB for censoring LGTBQIA+ stories in the past while allowing violence and abuse on the mainstream media.
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1364586532430958599
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1364593351673061379
Severo created the hit Boys Love Series Gaya Sa Pelikula. The series tackles social issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, including representation.
On the other hand, Boada and Carreon are YouTube celebrities and real-life couples, popularly known as #RoTin.
