Fly, Charice, Fly!

“I feel free as a bird.”

“I’m able to express myself better now.”

“I have come to accept the real me.”

“I have come to love the real me.”

“I now celebrate the real me.”

How many of us have uttered the above quotes? How many of us have encouraged another to say them? How many of us have helped someone to be himself or herself so that those words would come out honestly and spontaneously? How many of us dream to say them?

Charice did say them. Yes, she did to Mr. Bum Tenorio during their private moment as godparent-godchild before Charice performed for her guests during her 21^st birthday (May 10) celebration, some details of which Mr. Tenorio shared with his readers through his article.

“[Charice] intimated to me that her party was her ‘coming out’ of sorts,” wrote Mr. Tenorio. According to his article, there were 67 guests, most of whom were her childhood friends. Charice had come out to those close to her before going public on June 2^nd  through an interview with host Boy Abunda of The Buzz, a Philippine TV entertainment talk show, which was also seen by viewers from other parts of the world. It was indeed a coming out as a lesbian publicly.

Charice tweeted a few minutes after the airing of her interview: “Still reading your tweets. Too good to be true. Umpisa pa lang to. [This is just the beginning.] Umpisa ULIT ito. [This is a beginning AGAIN.] I love you all.”

Charice was referring to the posts of people who generously expressed their support and praises to her on Twitter. And as I am writing this, the news about her coming out and follow-up stories and interviews are still spreading on social media, online news, blogs, radio and TV programs in and out of the Philippines. Known personalities and netizens have been giving their reactions/opinions, the positive ones of which, I observe, have been tipping the scale.

Not for LGBT only

I believe that the quotes from Charice (in the beginning of this blog) are relevant not only to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender or LGBT community. They are definitely not only for celebrities and public figures. Her quotes are for everyone. They are beautiful words that anyone should be able to say without hesitation, fear, or self-doubt. Who are we? What are we? What are our dreams and how do we want to achieve them? Do we go by the dictates of other people, our families, our friends, our traditions, our religions, the media, and the global society?

How many people, knowingly or unknowingly, lose their individualities because they are not in line with what is common and accepted by others? How many heterosexual couples who can legally get married but do not because of their social status, religions, or family traditions? How many of the students take up courses that are their own choices? How should we react when we know of law or medical students, who, instead of reading their books, are just staring out the window and imagining themselves building skyscrapers or dancing on stages? What should we say to parents, who, upon knowing that their young children have special gifts, push their little ones to enter chess competitions or play musical instruments instead of allowing them to run around in the playground?

What percentage of the workforce pie represents people who are earning money from jobs that they truly enjoy doing? Do all party-goers get out of their houses with smiles on their faces because they know their friends shall welcome their presence more than their fashion styles? How many people are ready to accept themselves and others, no matter who and what they really are?

Ms. Lea Salonga on Charice

One of the celebrities who sent a tweet to Charice was Ms. Lea Salonga. In 2010, Ms. Lea had a forum with young aspiring performing artists in Malaysia. After discussing about what kind of physical attributes were accepted in the Philippine showbusiness, she said of Charice, “What sets her apart is that she’s just so insanely talented. And she has this voice. I’m really hoping for the best for this young woman because I really believe, at the end of the day, if you’re just so insanely talented, you cannot be ignored. The world would be stupid to ignore you.”

Ms. Lea has been consistent with her comment on Charice’s talent and with her (Ms. Lea) not giving focus on one's physical appearance. Last month, she guested on Martin Late @ Night, a late-night talk show on Philippine TV. Host Martin Nievera put Ms. Lea on the spot to say something about a hashtag (a term referring to a topic preceded by “#” on Twitter ) that he would mention. For “#Charice" (Mr. Martin offered "her new look” to be more specific), Ms. Lea said, "Extremely talented, very young. Girl, when you find your way, everything will be alright." Although Mr. Martin added her new look, Ms. Lea’s answer was on Charice’s talent...and one more—when you find your way, everything will be alright.

The following morning after her interview on The Buzz, Charice received a tweet from Ms. Lea—“Dear @OfficialCharice have you any idea how many young people you inspired today? More power, blessings and love to you!!!”  Ms. Lea’s words, this time, pass over Charice’s talent. They instead focus on the many young people who, for whatever reasons, have been inspired by Charice’s brave act of honestly telling the world who and what she really is. Her tweet seems to summarize an observation of the effects of the overall interview—what Charice said and did and the real person that she presented to the public—on the many young people (and perhaps, the older ones, too) who may have suddenly been in reflection of who they really are, of whether they are more accepting of themselves and of others, and if they are happy or not.

A new beginning

Yes, Charice, this is a new beginning, a new chapter of your life. You have invited your supporters, your fans, your Chasters to enjoy the ride. Remember in 2010, after you had released your single Pyramid, you shared the motto “At the Top, Baby!” with your Chasters? At the top of the pyramid. But why stay at the top of the pyramid when you can go over it? You are now free as a bird. You can fly! As you fly, those—who believe in your talent without longing for somebody you are not—are willing to be part of the wind beneath your wings so you can fly high. And when the time comes when those—who you want to accept and love you for who you really are—become part of that wind, you will fly higher.

Fly, Charice, fly!