by: MisS VictoriA DaviD
In
Southeast
Asia, at the centre of Indochina Peninsula, a country
formerly known as Siam is located. Today this constitutional monarch
country is now famous to all of us as Thailand. Its the world's
51st-largest country in terms of total area and the 20th-most-populous
nation. It is also a neighbour of the Philippines which is
likewise a sovereign state in Southeast Asia with a recorded 7,107
islands and is geographically divided into three major main areas:
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
These
sizzling hot countries have also one more 'thing' in common, their
Transwomen/Ladyboys. People who were born male but with female
gender identity and who have strong urges to undergo physical changes
in order to align their body with their gender identity.
When I
was away for a week and checked what was on T.V, I stumbled upon a
series of documentaries about The Life of Ladyboys in Thailand. That
caught my attention as I was very interested to know more about
Ladyboys and how they live as citizens in their own country. That's
why, I recorded the series rather than watching it late at night on
Sky Living channel.
The night
after, I watched the whole series while quaffing a glass of wine!
Highlights of Ladyboys season 2 ft Scott & Paeng by smspencer69
I thought
the documentary series was a new one, but when I played the first
episode the characters and their love stories were quite familiar.
However, it didn’t stop me from playing the rest and I found out,
they were a continuation of the episode I had already viewed. I soon
became interested in following the stories of these two Ladyboys, Paeng and Annie, in
Thailand who were forming relationships with their Farangs
(Caucasians) namely Scott and David. Why? Because the series also tackled how most Ladyboys
live and cope in Thailand. There were also interviews with a few
outstanding Transwomen who were successful in their own field of
endeavours.
When I
was still in my beloved Philippines, I thought genuinely that
Thailand is the Haven for all Ladyboys. Perhaps, it was!
Transsexuals
from
our country who'd been to Thailand adored it so much for various
reasons and even said many good things about the locals. According to
them, Thai's were very warm to their visitors as well as very
welcoming when it comes to all sexualities. They even raised the
topic of, Thai families with a Ladyboy child were very proud and showed
how supportive they were toward their child's chosen identity.
It seemed that they also hoped that a Ladyboy child would be
bountiful and bring fortune into their lives.
Thailand
is one of the most affordable destinations for holiday makers which
is also known, the world over, as an open-minded country when it
comes to Transwomen. Actually, the country has an exceptional
reputation in performing various types of surgical operations and
many foreign Transwomen are attracted to their clinics to have
surgical changes to their bodies.
Long ago,
I thought Thai Transwomen/Ladyboys were more blessed than Filipinos.
But I was absolutely wrong to have assumed that. Even though Thailand
is a Haven for all Ladyboys there is a sad reality behind that fact.
Something I grasped half way through finishing the whole documentary
series.
I cannot
deny the fact that Thai Transwomen are more beautiful and modest than
Filipinos. But when it comes to occupations, educational backgrounds
and in speaking English fluently, Filipino Transsexuals are far
superior and can hold their chins-up. That is why, most outsourcing
companies in the Philippines are being dominated by LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) who are
often bosses of the firms or are holding executive positions. And
because of these achievements, public understanding about Transsexuals in the Philippines has gaining more and more acceptance
as well as respect.
The
majority of schools in the Philippines have welcomed the existence of
being gay despite the fact that we are a Catholic country. That is
why, being gay or showing a tendency to be one at a very young age
isn't a big hindrance to continue the dream of becoming a
professional. Actually, many gay students have high intellect with
competitive skills and often lead student organizations. And because
of this acceptance at schools, there are now Transsexuals in middle
and upper management of many firms. They are generally competent as
an employee or excellent as a leader.
Enough of
the Philippines and back to Thailand...
After
watching the whole series, The Life of Ladyboys in Thailand, I learnt
a few things and my eyes were opened profoundly about the real
scenario. I was in a deep shocked to learn that most Thai Ladyboys
earn their living by prostitution on a few touristy streets in
Thailand. They are working at night and flaunting their very beauty
in order to attract customers who are willing to pay for the comfort
and warmth they can give.
Morally
speaking, trading your body isn't a good thing as it ruins your
integrity. However, most Thai Transsexuals are not as educated as
those in the Philippines and also, a great numbers of them are from
farms in the provinces. Where the only way of living is either by
laborious farming or rearing domesticated animals under the heat of
the sun. That is why, when they are about 15 years old or so, they
move to the capital Bangkok or Pattaya City to find the quickest way
of generating money while they are still fresh and young.
We might
think of what they are doing with body and soul as diabolical but its
a SACRIFICE! The main reason is not to feed their vanity or desires.
They do it, as long as their bodies can endure, in order to support
their families back home who treat them as breadwinners. I have to
admit that, it was a very sad reality to know that most Thai
Transsexuals are into prostitution. And also that their families are,
more or less, playing blind about how they acquire the money which
feeds them everyday.
Furthermore,
the documentary also touched on the topic of sex reassignment and
they interviewed a few who had the procedure in the past. And I was
dumbfounded to know that Thai Transwomen who underwent sex
reassignment are still not recognise lawfully as a woman. When I was
watching this part of the episode, I thought Thailand would
automatically allow and distinguishes these Transwomen as females in
their official documents. It was a shocking revelation because
Thailand performs surgeries for Transwomen (to be specific) and are
very open-minded about this type of sexuality. But I was wrong to
assumed at the back of my mind that their country will identify them
lawfully as females in their passports or other pertinent documents.
That's why, the woman (Nok Yollada ) who shared her grief about this is now
fighting for the fair right that Transwomen like them should be
allowed and acknowledge females in their relevant documents.
In the
Philippines, Filipino Transwomen who underwent sex reassignment can
file a case in order to change their birth records to what and who
they are now. The procedure of changing must be proven and supported
with an authentic certificate from a registered Doctor. They will
then be granted the changes they are wanting and their
documents can be changed. This appeal may take time but at the end of
the battle, a favourable result will be worth waiting for.
After the intermission number given by Sidney Bueno a.k.a Madonna, with her terrific dancer, finished entertaining the excited audience
at Guy's Bar, Boland House, the contestants were called to get ready.
Both audience and contestants couldn’t wait as this was when the
fit, sexy and toned contestants emerged one at a time. This was
called the SWIMWEAR category to which women were
half-naked (Lol!) with beautifully accessorised beach hats and handbags sponsored by Michel Michele.
