CELIS, Rebekah Gail C.

January 18, 2017

AB MC 2-A MC 100

Happy na, Gay pa: Exploring the Plight of Gay Men (A Book Review)

It was not until the 70s, when homosexuality was removed as a mental disease in the

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric

Association (APA). Until the early 80s, Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders (LGBTs)

were considered as a minority, with a stigma attached to them. Gay men were usually suppressed

of their gender orientation, and most of them wished not just for tolerance, but also for

acceptance. Today, LGBT groups are breaking stereotypes. In time, more and more LGBT

groups are getting accepted in society, especially in the Philippines a predominant Catholic and

conservative society.

Danton Remotos Happy na, Gay pa is a gay-themed book published in 2015 that talks

about the plight of gay men in their everyday lives. In his book, he incorporated essays by a

fictional character named Jon Dedmatology, and his own narrative in the latter part of the book.

Happy na, Gay pa is a humorous and witty book that would not only tickle a readers funny

bones, but also his/her mind.

Remoto is not only a Filipino writer, but he is also a professor of Development

Communication at the Ateneo de Manila University, a columnist for the Philippine Star, and a

reporter and editor for TV5. Remoto has published 3 books, 6 essay compilations, and 4 poem

folios. In his write-ups, Remoto has made known that he is gay, even in his book, Happy na,

Gay pa.
 Happy na, Gay pa begins with the story of Jon Dedmatology in his early years, about

having a crush on his seatmate, Bobby, who always gave him sandwiches during lunch. Nasa

kanan ko nga si Vivian, maganda naman sana at matalino, pero ewan ko ba? Tingin ako ng

tingin kay Bobby sa kaliwa. Nun pa man, mahilig na ako sa kaliwa (p.2), Jon said in the book.

Jon then grows up playing jack stones instead of marbles, or Chinese garter instead of basketball.

He then goes to high school as a closeted gay, as he was enrolled in a Jesuit university in Manila.

His father dreams for Jon to be like him someday, a corporate lawyer. He then graduates as the

class valedictorian.

Not long, Jon went to college and met men who also wanted men. Eventually, Jon went

abroad to study for his Masters degree under a scholarship. There he met a man who loved him

so much, that they moved in together. Time passed and Jon had to go home. He broke up with

his lover, and they did not get to sustain their long distance relationship. Jon lives his single life.

He taught English, and went out with friends. The narrative then unfolds to reveal that Jons

story is Remotos story, too. The book continues in the authors point of view. Remoto discussed

the gay stigma, the things that they do, what love is for them, and how the world is the same

either for straight people or for homosexuals like them, especially those of the gays. The book

ends with an essay entitled, Lucky Gay. In this part, Remoto tells of how he is one of the lucky

gay men who has friends by his side, who is loved, and who is happy in his chosen path.

A fiction/biography book is almost uncommon for Filipino writers. It is easier to create

stories than to narrate them in an exciting way. However, Remoto proved that it is possible to

create a non-fiction narrative, and put it in a fictional setting. Jon Dedmatology, the protagonist,

is one of the characters that I found amusing in the book. Not only does he speak in a funny way,

but he speaks in a tone that would make you want to read more. Jon is a brilliant character, he is
not passive, nor is he stagnant. He is, indeed, a round character. As the story progresses, Jon

becomes this mature person; from being a petty person to being very mature. In the next

chapters, he talks about how he wants to come out (although everyone already knows what he is,

only that he is in denial of his gender), how he was bullied for being gay, how he had crushes

that elated him, and even broke his heart, and how his life was a gay. Other characters like his

crushes Bobby, Chester and Roger, and his ex-long distance boyfriend Steven were all flat

characters. They remained the same throughout the narrative. On the other hand, Brendan, the

masculine gay that gave Jon a shock, was a round character. Brendan was manly at first. Little

did Jon know, Brendan was gay.

Happy na, Gay pa is a gay-themed book with many messages, but mainly it tells us that

being gay is just like how normal people are, and that gays deserve to be accepted and happy. Its

target audience are gays, and those who are interested of what they are facing right now.

While reading the book, my imagination as a reader was vivid, thus it was aesthetically

pleasing. However, the story may somewhat be imbalanced. The first part was light and

humorous, while the latter was heavy, critical and informational. It is not a good quality for a

book like this. It is obvious that Remoto is still trying to keep the light ambience of the book, by

inserting some humorous chapters, but it does not have any significant impact. Although, the

author might have intended it to be that way, the emotional and aesthetic imbalance it gives to its

readers cannot be ignored.

The plot was the usual ternary plot, beginning with Jons childhood to Remoto in his

present situation. The plot was not full of twists and turns like other narratives or science fiction

books, instead it was laid calmly. It had a gentle impression. Since the book is not an absolute
fiction book, evaluating the plot structure with rigid criteria is not applicable. Although the plot

was without much mystery or suspense, and although the climax does not give a mind-blowing

result, it is essential that the book be written that way, as it is also a non-fictional biography.

Mainly set in Quezon City and Luzon, the storys atmosphere first felt like a suffocating

Catholic school where gays or homosexuals are not accepted; being in the coffin or the closet

as a gay helped build that suffocating atmosphere. The setting highly influenced the book. As

Jon went abroad, he became more open and liberated. The suffocation was no longer there.

Half of the book was Remotos own narrative and insights about being gay. It gives this

big picture of their plight. Remoto was saying that being gay, according to his own experience,

does not make him less of a person. His narrative has a certain emotional effect. It does not only

make you feel warm toward the LGBTs, but it also sparks a change in you. Impressively, the

book is not only a book for humor, but it is also a catalyst for change to those who would read it.

Unlike other books, this was written simply. Although there were some vague parts, or parts that

would make you ask, How did this happen?, it is not hard to catch up with the story.

Through the course of the book, the language used was also changing from the Filipino-

Bekinese mix, to straight Filipino and finally to English. This was to underline the changes in Jon

and Remotos life.

There are many things we learn when we read. Danton Remotos Happy na, Gay pa is

one of the wittiest humor books that I have read, apart from the usual Bob Ong novels, and the

like. It makes understanding the LGBT easier, and lighter as it is also comedic. I recommend not

only the gay men, but also those who are interested and even those who are not to read Remotos

book. It is not just a funny story of the Beki in your village, or the Sirena in your community. It
is, though, a story of a Beki that will teach you a lot about how to accept and deal with people

like them. It is worth your time, and is worth reading.