00:05Thank you. Happy Pride to Aten, Pita Boy. Happy Pride.
00:08Pag Pride Month, Michelle, anong kahulugan ito sa'yo?
00:12You know, for me, it's really about authenticity.
00:15It's really about celebrating who you are, who you're always meant to be,
00:18finding that strength within yourself to be who you are.
00:22And, you know, this community has done so much for me.
00:25And I'm just really happy that once again, we're in that time of the year now,
00:30we're really celebrating our flag loud and proud.
00:33Tama. And may balita that you will be participating?
00:36I am.
00:37In the upcoming Pride, talaga, parade? Tell us about it.
00:40Pangalawang taon na po na I'm performing at Love Laban.
00:43So that's one of the biggest Pride parades here in the Philippines at UP Diliman, June 27 po.
00:48Sana makita ko kayo daw.
00:49I'll be performing an original single, Makatanong.
00:53What is the title?
00:54Makatanong.
00:56Makatanong.
00:56Makatanong.
00:57And I usually perform two songs.
00:59Yung second song, surprise ko na lang po yun, along with,
01:03sana yung special guest na gusto kong iakyat sa stage, makahaakit din.
01:08Something to look forward to.
01:09Happy Pride sa lahat ng ating kababayan.
01:12Maraming maraming.
01:12That's Love Laban.
01:14Yes.
01:14June 27.
01:15June 27.
01:16University of the Philippines.
01:17Tatlong taon na ang nakakaraan when you came out.
01:20Yes.
01:21As a bisexual.
01:22What triggered that?
01:24You know, Tito Boy, 2023 was also the year that I won Miss Universe Philippines.
01:30I didn't have plans to come out, but during that time, because I was also the most bashed,
01:35one of the most bashed Miss Universe Philippines.
01:37And, you know, it's not enough for people to take away that story, but then to weaponize
01:43your identity against you, I wanted to control that story because it's my story to tell.
01:49It's not anyone else's story to tell.
01:51And I guess what I really wanted was to also inspire other people that you don't have to
01:59be afraid of who you are.
02:00And you don't have to shy away in a corner just because people are bullying you.
02:04People are taking your story against you.
02:07The only way for you to get that power back is if you yourself talk about it.
02:10But that was brave.
02:12It was true.
02:13That was really brave, Michelle.
02:14Being in an industry, being in an 80% Catholic country, that must have been tough.
02:23It was somehow tough, the decision.
02:26But, you know, when you have the support of your family, you have the support of your friends,
02:30it doesn't make it so hard.
02:32It wasn't a secret.
02:34It's just I never publicly came out officially.
02:37Right.
02:37But a lot of good things came out of that, Tito Boy, because I guess a lot of parents messaged
02:43me after my story came out, and they were like, thank you, because they found inspiration
02:51that just because you're part of the LGBT community doesn't mean that limits you from reaching greater
02:56heights.
02:57No one can take away that I won this universe, Philippines, and just because you're part of
03:02the community doesn't mean that you're limited to less.
03:05You're actually limited to so much.
03:07You're actually capable of doing so much more if you embrace yourself.
03:11That's the fulfillment.
03:12Right?
03:13Yes.
03:14Yes.
03:15Yes.
03:16Yes.
03:16Yes.
03:18Yes.
03:20Yes.
03:22Yes.
03:23Yes.
03:23Yes.
03:24Yes.
03:24Yes.
03:24Yes.
03:25Yes.
03:26Yes.
03:27Yes.
03:29Yes.
03:33Yes.
04:02Transcription by CastingWords
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