00:00I still remember when I first met Ashley Balona.
00:12Along with some contestants, they were rampaging and dancing.
00:19As preparation for the upcoming beauty pageant.
00:23But the trans women were still fresh.
00:32Even though the sun was shining.
00:37It was Ashley's first time participating in a contest like this.
00:42I used to just watch.
00:45So I didn't plan to participate in a contest like this.
00:50When I became friends with the organizers of the PNR Trans Movement.
00:59That's when I got the influence to participate even just once.
01:04In 2018, Ashley still looked like a man.
01:09Her name was JP.
01:12Yes, that's true. I used to carry a speaker.
01:17When Ashley was 11 years old.
01:20She decided to transition to being a woman.
01:24People like Ashley are called transgender.
01:28Transgender is a person who identifies themselves with their gender.
01:34Regardless of what they were born with.
01:36In simple words, for them, they were born with the wrong body.
01:42Ashley's peers were called trans nene.
01:47Or teenager trans women.
01:50Trans woman is a person who was born as a male or biological male.
01:56But she identifies herself as a woman.
02:00Ashley was 11 years old when she tried to take a hormonal birth control pill.
02:06At the recommendation of other trans nene.
02:09It is taken by women who do not want to get pregnant.
02:13But if a trans woman takes it, the pill has a different effect.
02:18It affects the male body.
02:21To become the body of a woman.
02:24Just like being pregnant and growing nipples.
02:31Ashley was not able to consult a doctor when she started taking the pills.
02:36That is why she did not expect its side effects.
02:40I am not sure about my mental health.
02:44Since I tried it, I have low blood pressure.
02:49And I get angry easily.
02:55Here in their place in Taguig City.
02:58You can buy the hormone pills in the Sari Sari store.
03:02You can buy it for 4 euros.
03:04A pill costs 11 pesos in a reseller in their place.
03:11According to the seller.
03:13She has many trans nene in her place.
03:17How many trans nene do you buy per day?
03:20Every day?
03:22More or less than 10.
03:24Mostly 14 years old and above.
03:27And friends.
03:31Since many kids buy it.
03:33And there is no budget.
03:35You can just stop buying it.
03:44Maybe the most complicated of all.
03:49Wearing a swimsuit.
03:52Isn't it painful?
03:53Yes.
03:54If it's not balanced.
03:56I can't breathe.
03:57But it's good.
03:59Yes.
04:19And in this part of the pageant.
04:21You can say.
04:22This is where the effect of the pill is expected to grow.
04:26In the body of a contestant.
04:35After winning.
04:36As a god of PNR in 2022.
04:43Ashley won another beauty pageant.
04:47But she didn't win.
04:50After this.
04:51She also stopped taking hormone pills.
04:55I feel like I'm getting old.
04:59I'm getting hair fall.
05:01Yes.
05:02So her side effects are not good anymore.
05:05But after that.
05:06What was the effect to you.
05:08When you stopped taking your pills?
05:10I felt that my arms also grew.
05:12I feel that my body is masculine.
05:16Aside from the side effects of the medicine.
05:18It has a price.
05:20When you are transitioning.
05:22You have to pay for the pills.
05:23You have to pay for the injectables.
05:25How did you manage it?
05:27When I was working.
05:28I was working.
05:30In a cafe shop.
05:31I was a barista.
05:34When I was dividing it.
05:37I was able to separate this.
05:39I was able to separate the food.
05:42I never regretted.
05:44The pills and injectables I bought.
05:47Because.
05:48It's worth it to my body.
05:51She tried using injectable hormone treatment.
05:55But she only used it for a short period of time.
05:57What was the effect of the injectables to you?
06:00The first injectable I remember.
06:03I got a fever.
06:05I got a fever.
06:06But there's a doctor who gave you a prescription.
06:09There's none.
06:10Where did you get that?
06:12From a friend.
06:13They just gave me a prescription.
06:17Injectables are also cheaper.
06:19One injection is 50 pesos.
06:21Once a week.
06:23If it's pills.
06:25You have to drink it everyday.
06:26And it's 11 pesos per tablet.
06:31The inconsistent hormone treatment.
06:33It has an effect on Ashley's body.
06:36If the pills are not consistent.
06:40It's like your liver just melts.
06:44So all the changes in your body.
06:47You look like a woman.
06:49It's gone when you stopped taking pills.
06:55I saw that my arm got bigger.
07:00Actually, it looks like it's getting bigger.
07:03Muscle.
07:04It's getting bigger.
07:05And it's getting bigger.
07:09Facial hair.
07:10Okay.
07:11On your boobs.
07:14It looks like a 14-year-old's boobs.
07:17Yes.
07:18Did anything change on your face when you stopped taking pills?
07:21I feel like my Adam's apple.
07:24It's getting bigger.
07:26I noticed.
07:27You're so tall.
07:29Because last time I saw you, I was taller than you.
07:31And now you're taller than me.
07:33Yes.
07:34We're on the same line.
07:38Ashley.
07:39Ashley.
07:40Ashley has a new pill to try.
07:43But for now, she consulted a doctor.
07:46To make sure it's safe.
07:48Hello.
07:49Hi, how are you?
07:51We accompanied her to the clinic of Love Yourself.
07:55So let's update.
07:57Since two years, when you came.
08:00You were just, how old were you?
08:0314 years old.
08:05So how old are you now?
08:0616.
08:0716.
08:08So how are you?
08:09Because last time, you went to get guidance on transitioning at a young age.
08:15Good morning, Doc.
08:17Hi, good morning.
08:19How was your journey from that time?
08:22I didn't follow your advice.
08:26Because it's a financial problem.
08:29You couldn't sustain your drinking?
08:31I couldn't sustain.
08:32So if you couldn't sustain, how was that?
08:34What was the interval of your drinking?
08:37When there's pressure.
08:40Once you take something, and it's lost in the system.
08:44The visa will be lost.
08:46The magic.
08:47Your nipple will open a little for the baby.
08:51When the estrogen effect is gone, it will float again.
08:54Unless it's really full, it has a mass.
08:57How did it affect your well-being?
09:00Your mental status?
09:03Were you depressed because of that?
09:05I had a lot of insecurities in my body.
09:13According to Dr. Angel,
09:15a medical professional should monitor the injectables,
09:19just like what Ashley used.
09:21But even though she experienced the side effects of hormone pills,
09:26Ashley decided to continue it.
09:29I feel like I can see my confidence in being feminine.
09:36I can't see myself as being masculine.
09:42I want perfection that I can see in the future.
09:47Thank you so much for tuning in to Eyewitness Mga Kapuso.
09:51What can you say about this documentary?
09:53Comment below and subscribe to the GMA Public Affairs YouTube channel.
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