Christian Bables has said his piece, and he said it clearly.
The actor is back with another drag role in the upcoming film Drags to Riches alongside Inigo Pascual and Elijah Canlas, and as expected, the project has reignited the familiar questions about his sexuality that have followed him throughout his career. This time, he addressed them head-on.
Speaking to PUSH ABS-CBN, Christian said the speculation does not get to him, not out of indifference, but because he has come to accept that no matter what he does, people will believe what they want to believe.
"Sa akin, okay lang kasi hindi naman ako affected talaga ng kahit ano mang naririnig ko. Kasi kahit na, again, tumambling ka diyan, hugutin mo 'yung mata mo from your eyeball mo, from your eye socket, hindi mo mababago ang perception ng tao sa'yo. Kung ito ang standards nila ng pagiging straight at pagiging hindi, you can never change that – kahit anong gawin mo, 'no?" he said.
He was careful to distinguish between respecting other people's views and tolerating what he considers an overreach.
"I respect that. If iniisip ng mga tao, ganito ang sekswalidad ni ganito, ganito ang sekswalidad ni ganyan, I mean that's them, eh. And sino naman ako or sino naman tayo para kuwestiyunin kung ano 'yung standards nila. Siguro ang masasabi ko, ang sekswalidad ng isang tao is none of your business," he said.
He went further, laying out exactly when, and only when, asking about someone's sexuality is justified.
"Unless may balak kang asawahin 'yung taong 'yun o may magandang maidudulot sa'yo 'yung information about that person's sexuality, dapat hindi siya itinatanong. That's really none of your business. Kasi hindi ikaw ang magmamahal, hindi ikaw ang may preference, kundi sila. Ibigay niyo sa mga tao 'yun. That's their thing to keep. And again, wala, dapat kayong pakialam sa sekswalidad ng iba," he said.
Christian also spoke about his commitment to the LGBT community, framing it not just as allyship but as something more personal.
"Never get tired of standing and fighting for what you believe is right kasi walang ibang titindig para sa inyo o para sa mga parte ng komunidad kundi tayo. I'm a proud ally, and I guess it's safe to include myself. So walang iba na titindig sa kung ano man 'yung ating mga pinaglalaban kung hindi tayo. Hanggang sa marinig tayo nang marinig," he said.
He acknowledged that progress is being made, but noted that pushback still exists. "Naririnig naman eh. Meron lang talagang iba na – 'yung mga taong tingin nila sila lang ang mapupunta sa langit. Pero iilan na lang 'yung mga 'yun," he said.
READ: Christian Bables denies getting nose surgery: ‘Tinatawag akong Pinocchio nung bata ako’
In an interview with Ogie Diaz back in 2022, he identified himself as heterosexual.
“And with the question, ano ba talaga si Christian Bables? Well I identify as a straight guy, straight man. My preference and my attraction is with the opposite sex,” he stated.
READ: Christian Bables clarifies that he is straight: 'My attraction is with the opposite sex'
Christian Bables first gained widespread attention for his performance in the 2016 critically acclaimed film Die Beautiful, in which he played a transgender woman.
The role earned him multiple award nominations and established him as one of the more daring performers of his generation.
Drags to Riches marks his return to the drag genre, this time alongside Inigo Pascual and Elijah Canlas. It opens in SM cinemas on June 24.
—By Paolo Lim