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| Travel & Resources: PHILIPPINES
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Despite its reputation as a fairly liberal haven for gays and lesbians, the Philippines has failed to guarantee legal protections of LGBTs in accordance with United Nations human rights conventions. The Philippine Congress is again debating an Anti Discrimination Bill sumitted in 2010, filed as House Bill 1483 or An Act Defining Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Providing Penalties Therefor. The bill would outlaw both practices and policies that limit the basic rights and freedoms of LGBT in schools, offices, commercial establishments, health care institutions, the civil service, police and military. |
MANILA
Other cities and provinces are listed below...
The population of Baguio is over 260,000 (that's over 10,000 Utopians).
The population of Cagayan de Oro is over 600,000 (that's about 25,000 Utopians).
The population of Cebu is over 750,000 (that's over 30,000 Utopians).
There are many beaches on Puerto Galera, but the most popular for the local gay scene is White Beach. The place usually goes wild on long weekends or holidays, especially during Holy Week. There are rocky areas on the left and right side of White Beach which are inviting for cruising. There are also waterfalls near the beach, and another one accessible by boat.
The Philippines has much to offer: beautiful nature and beach resorts at bargain prices, winsome smiles and a friendly mabuhay (hello) from nearly everyone. Because the Philippines is predominantly Catholic you might think that gay life is deeply hidden. But don't assume that the scene is minimal just because gay bars or other establishments seem to be few in number. In fact, Filipino gays are usually fully integrated into their extended families and live in a society that is generally tolerant and inclusive of GLBT. There are, of course, legal and political struggles and the Philippines has a long tradition of ardent queer activism in the public arena to quickly counter prejudice and misunderstanding. Asia's first ever gay pride march was held in Manila on Jun 26, 1994.
Lesbian listings
Men in the Philippines message forum
Philippines Gay & Lesbian News
Philippines Gay Scene Updates message forum
Travel in the Philippines message forum
Additional Links and Resources
The queer magazine for the Philippines.
Golden Legacy Bld Unit 304, 98 Xavierville Ave Corner E. Abada St, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, 433-0674, 0921-784-3260, email. A national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Filipinos, founded on September 1, 2003. It supports legislation for non-discrimination against LGBTs and equal opportunities for them.
AIDS/HIV organizations and information
1-908-888-2428 anytime anywhere in the Philippines, 10 Philippine pesos per minute for virtual or live chats and information on the local lifestyle and recreation scene for gay/bisexual/lesbian Filipinos and friends.
LAGABLAB
is the largest network of LGBT groups in the Philippines and has actively campaigned against discrimination, along with Amnesty International Pilipinas, an international human rights NGO.
Mailing address: 2577 A. Bonifacio St., Bangkal, Makati City 1233 Philippines, email. A membership organization of educators committed to sexual and reproductive health and rights education and empowerment among vulnerable and marginalized groups, particularly among communities of bakla, gay, bisexual and other MSM (men who have sex with men).
A network of individuals and representatives of private companies, NGOs and participating government agencies including the Department of Tourism (DOT) that help facilitate publicity and participation of the local GLBT community in Pride events.
Suite 1005, Medical Plaza Ortigas Building, 10th Fl, 25 San Miguel Ave, Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila, (63-2) 412-8349, FAX 636-8823, email. November 5-9, 2003 at the Ayala Greenbelt Theater, Makati City. This festival has been organized to benefit HIV/AIDS education, awareness, prevention and care in the Philippines; and to enhance development of local filmmaking through exhibition of international films and videos.
35 Scout Delgado St, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, (632) 367-3109, FAX 371-2302, email. Gay rights and service organization providing public education, counseling, publicity for gay events, human rights advocacies, sports activities and health advice since 1993. Progay led the first Gay March in Asia on June 26, 1994. Sponsors the Pink Film Festival and other pride events.
Email. A network of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations and LGBT-friendly groups committed to promoting respect for the diverse expressions of responsible sexuality, and the recognition of the right of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders to a dignified life without discrimination and prejudice. They organize the annual Philippine Pride festival.
BAGUIO (Cordillera)
Baguio is quaint and engulfed in a beautiful, cool environment (and, according to Utopians, abounding with hot and spicy hunks).
Click here for Baguio hotels and accommodations.
B/F Naguilan Inn, 444 Naguilan Rd, Baguio City. Dancers perform from 9:30-3am. Some strip all the way. Admission is P$150 (US$3.50), but this is applied to your drink bill. So you can get two free beers, or apply the P$150 to your cocktail tab.
KM3 Naguillan Rd, Baguio City, email. Busiest Fri/Sat. Dancers perform from 9:30-3am. They all strip at midnight.
Unit 4,5,6 Nevada Square, 1 Loakan Rd (near the entrance gate of Camp John Hay). 092-8401-2868. Very nice and cozy bar. Most popular dance club for the young crowd.
Not a straight-out meeting place for gays, but the best time to hang out and meet gay people there start from 11pm-4am. Just know the type of crowd. Late night most are hustlers. The ones walking around are cruisers, the shy ones hide under a hat, and most of the loud ones are just for show. Most cool gay people hang out in the well-lit areas. Street smarts are needed.
BORACAY ISLAND (Visaya)
Boracay Island is a delightful get-away from Manila's crowded, traffic-snarled streets. Popular during high season (Nov-Apr). Even during low season the weather can be quite nice and you can avoid the tourist throngs. Hotel rates, meal prices and other services are also discounted heavily from May-Oct. Boracay is accessible from Manila and other cities by various combos of air, bus and boat.
Lesbian listings
Men in Boracay message forum
Click here for Boracay hotels and accommodations.
Manggayad, Malay Aklan (near Lorenzo Resort), White Beach, 634-2639. The owner will direct you to the bars and nightclubs where gay people go.
Malay Aklan (near Boracay Beach), 288-3028.
White Beach. A nice place to go with someone to chat, drink and cuddle. The staff are very friendly, as is the manager. Prices are reasonable.
White Beach.
Southern end of White Beach, across from Boat Station #3 and above the Sulu Thai restaurant. Karaoke competitions. Popular with gays. Nightly sing-along contests, with disco dancing after midnight.
Cagayan de Oro (Mindanao)
The gateway to Mindanao, also known as the City of Golden Friendship, is the fastest growing city in the Philippines. There is much to see and do, from prehistoric caves and white water rafting, to the beautiful country scenery and the nearby mountainous province of Bukidnon. People from neighboring cities around Mindanao come here every weekend to enjoy the nightlife. Gay life is abundunt. The city is young but has preserved its greenery.
Men Cagayan de Oro message forum
Comments from Utopians:
"Visited Cagayan de Oro in early Jul. All the gay bars no longer exist. And even with extensive searching and asking around all the
areas there appears to be nothing. BUT, at the end of June, DYOR Resto Bar opened for business with a very strong 'gay' presence. Sun is Rainbow Night. The MC's are drag queens on most nights. It's 3 blocks off the Divisoria. Small place, with a varied collection of activities (typical Filipino entertainment including live music, karaoke and more). No strippers or those kinds of shows." -- Paul D., Aug 1, 2012
Popular around this area. Not difficult to meet those who want to get acquainted with foreign guys. Some of them are young and well educated.
Limketkai Rosario Arcade. Most gays hang around here on weekends.
Downtown Divisoria. A favourite hangout for gays.
Camiguin Island
Camiguin is the 2nd smallest province of Philippines. Camiguin Island is in the Bohol Sea. It becomes a gay haven during Holy Week, with many gays from Northern Mindanao, especially Cagayan de Oro.
CEBU / Mandaue / Lapu-Lapu (Visaya) -- area code (63-32)
Mandaue is part of the city of Cebu - all the north-south streets in Cebu continue on into Mandaue without interruption. Also Lapu-Lapu on Mactan Island is part of the same metropolitan area. You get off the plane at the Cebu City airport and drive for the first ten minutes through Lapu-Lapu, cross a bridge, drive ten minutes through Mandaue and then into Cebu.
Men in Cebu message forum
Mango Square, Mango Ave. Located in uptown Cebu near Fuente Osmena. A cozy place where you can hang out and meet good guys.
Del Roario Ave, Guizo, Mandaue. The smallest and friendliest of Cebu's bars. They show slightly more than other bars.
Mandaue.
A bar that attracts many Korean women as well as gays. It is located at Cabahug Rd, Mandaue, a 5-minute walk north of Jollybee (very well known by taxis in Cebu).
The premiere nightclub in the city. It gets cruisy sometimes.
Colon St, Cebu City. Mature men and obvious gays.
Legaspi St, Cebu City
DAVAO (Southern Mindanao)-- area code (63-82)
The population of Davao is close to 1 million (that's about 40,000 Utopians).
Men in Davao message forum
Adrazo Compound, Ponciano Reyes St, Madraso.
Dipolog (Zamboanga del Norte)
Click here for Dipolog hotels and accommodations.
Hinunangan (Southern Leyte)
The population of Hinunangan is over 30,000 (that's over 1,200 Utopians).
Click here for Hinunangan hotels and accommodations.
MANILA (Luzon) -- area code (63-2)
Click here for Manila listings.
PUERTO GALERA, MINDORO (Luzon)
Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro is, like Boracay, a beach destination popular with locals. It is accessible by regular boats and motorized bancas (local boats with rigs) from the port of Batangas. The port is quite modern and has long term parking in case you bring your car. There are also ferries if you want to drive your own car. The port is accessible by bus from Manila and it takes less than two hours to get there. Hotels can often arrange bus and round trip boat packages to and from Puerto Galera.
San Pedro (Laguna)
Officially known as the Municipality of San Pedro, it shares its boundary with southernmost metro Manila. Many San Pedro residents commute to Manila to work. The population is over 300,000 (that's more than 12,000 Utopians).
G/F Fil Em Bld, Luna St, 090-5154-5411, email. Gay-owned mssage and wellness spa.
Utopia Member Discount
Subic Bay Freeport (Luzon, Zambales)
Click here for Subic Bay Freeport hotels and accommodations.
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