During the September 20 press conference of the upcoming film Praybeyt Benjamin top-billed by Vice Ganda, the male cast was asked if they had had same-sex sexual encounters. Veteran actor Eddie Garcia was the first to be asked and he admitted that he had sex with the same gender in his teens. “In my younger years before, I was 15 (years old),” he said, which sent the media people in an uproar. The actor-director continued, “Kailangan lahat ng bagay dito sa mundo, kailangan mong subukan.” The actor, known for his sly humor, even joked, “Dati gusto kong gumawa ng ginagawa ng mga Arab sa camel pero hindi ako umabot doon.”
Vice Ganda praised the veteran actor for being candid. “Eddie Garcia na ‘yan, ah umaamin. ‘Yung iba ang kapal ng face nagpakaipokrita. Wala daw [silang experience with same sex], tigilan nga ako!”
The other actors like DJ Durano and Carlos Agassi also revealed afterwards that they also had had sexual relationships with fellow males. Callalily vocalist Kean Cipriano was the only one who said that he has not yet experienced gay sex. However, he pointed out that he has nothing against gays. “I just think gay people are happy people kaya I respect them wholly,” he said.
On his part, Vice also revealed that he had a number of sexual encounters with male celebrities. “Madami. Totoo ‘yan,” he said. The lead star of Praybeyt Benjamin explained that Eddie’s admission only proves that a man who had a sexual encounter with a fellow male does not make him less of a person. “Magandang pagkakataon para sa kamulatan nga ng nakararami, Eddie Garcia nga ‘no walang kaarte-arte kayo pa ba na hindi naman kayo si Eddie Garcia na umaarte. Si Eddie Garcia na naniniwala na hindi ito malaking kaawasan sa pagkatao niya na may nangyaring ganyan, kaawasan sa inyo bilang hindi naman kayo si The Eddie Garcia,” related the comedian.
Vice continued that though the Philippines is a conservative country, it is not fair to judge a guy who had a sexual encounter with another guy. “Dito sa kultura sa Pilipinas, iba sa ibang bansa talaga, eh. Sa Pilipinas naniniwala ako na hindi lahat ng pumatol sa bakla ay naging bakla at magiging bakla at hindi lahat ng nagpapaganun sa bakla ay makakaapekto sa kasarian nila. Hindi naman lahat nagpapaganun lang dahil sa pera ang iba ay dahil umibig na rin.”
He added quickly that he is not advocating for guys to try same sex relationship but just to respect every individual’s choice. “Hindi naman natin kailangang idikta sa lalaki na, ‘oy ang arte mo kailangang mong magpaganun sa bakla.’ Choice din nila ‘yon at karapatan din nila kung gusto nilang umamin o hindi kasi katawan at pag-iisip nila ‘yon.”