"Buhay Bading," despite its waiflike appearance, holds some heavy stuff. It is a collection of Danton’s essays from 1991 to 1996, covering the whole gamut of gay life—from politics to literature, from loving to gay bonding. What is even more special is that these essays, originally in English, have been translated into Filipino to reach a wider audience.
Essays such as "Naiibang Pag-Ibig," "Nang Magkita ang mga Lesbyana’t Bading" and "Media Circus" give the readers a portrait of the beginnings of gay advocacy in the Philippines. Accounts of the first ever Gay Pride March and the establishment of a course on Gay Literature in the University of the Philippines are also noted. The feeling of involvement, of excitement at being part of something groundbreaking, can be felt very clearly from these essays, and one can’t help but wish they were part of this as well.
On the other hand, "Born Again Ka Na Ba?" "Mga Reports na MaliMali," "Homophobia," "Mga Baklang Kontrabida," and "Mayor Almonte Meets Jojo Veloso," tackle the hassles the gay community has faced during the 90’s, from media stereotyping, to the sordid fiasco of the Jojo Velasco tapes, to the issues raised by the Cairo Conference, and the whole brouhaha with "Wella," the pimp who sold an 11-year-old girl to Congressman Romeo Jalosjos.
"Mula Brighton Hanggang Batangas," and "Postcards mula sa Tabi-Tabi," are impressions about travel, locale, people and their complexities, while the last six essays in the book — "When Boy meets Boy," "Ang Dula Bilang Mapa," "Romansa at Rebolusyon," "Mga Bading Books," "Gay Bonding," and "Mga Pusong Nadiskaril," — are thoughts on gay plays and literature.
And then there are the bittersweet pieces on friendship and love, or the lack of it. "For the Boys," is a touching essay about a night spent with three men in the closet, while bonus essay "Liham Kay Brian," is quite simply a love letter that captures the complexities of any relationship, be it gay or straight.
Like any good book, "Buhay Bading," will mean different things to different people. To the young gay man it is a look into the life of a gay success story — as Valentino Magazine calls Danton Remoto — and a brief introduction to the history of gay advocacy since 1991.
To the gay man seeking to leave the closet, it is an ideal introduction to the gay works penned by Danton Remoto — which include the critically acclaimed "Ladlad" anthology — that he could read to prepare himself mentally for "coming out."
To the unenlightened straight man (or woman), it is an eye-opener and a reminder that there is more to being gay than just the stereotypes. It asks you to discard any prejudices you may have, because whatever you may think about gay men’s sexual preferences, this book tells the plain simple truth: That gay men are human beings — that they feel and love and make mistakes — and should be treated as such.
