Filipino historians, particularly those who take pride in their machismo, would perhap cringe. Jose Rizal is, after all, the pride of the Malay race. His writings against colonial rule sparked the revolution against the spaniards and galvanized the imagination of an otherwise fragmented nation.
Was he gay? The article by Ambeth Ocampo does not really make such a conclusion, but it raises questions on Rizal’s sexuality. Conservative Filipinos would rather de-sexualize the image of Rizal, but would not refuse to grin everytime they talk about Rizal the womanizer. But gay? Never.
My two-cents: it doesn’t really matter. so what if our national hero was gay? it’s no big deal. go back to your bible and your business of proselytizing. ban idiotic movies that you believe threaten our moral foundation (news flash: the greatest threat to your dogma isn’t dan brown, it is your destructive and divisive sectarianism. please give a little respect to our intelligence). run after drug stores and NGOs that still sell abortifacients like condoms.
in the meantime, it is our moment to grin.
xfullman 