Trans daughter’s number one supporter is her father

She was born as Jerry Boy, named after her father who had been thrilled to have a son. Jerry Sagada Sr. had wanted a son, one who can help him earn for their family.

It was a tough pill to swallow then when Jerry Boy came out as a transgender, embraced her identity, and became Mhayumi.

In an episode of GMA Public Affairs’ #SalamatPA series, Jerry, 52, admitted that he did not react well once faced with the truth.

“Minsan nakainom ako, nandiyan siya, para bang maharot sa mga bagay. Naisip ko, ‘Bakla talaga tong batang to.' Sinipa ko siya, ‘Babae ka ba talaga o lalaki?’ Sabi niya ‘Babae ako, pa, e’,” he recalled.

Mhayumi, 23, said that she realized she was trans when she was in elementary school. She has always been more inclined to be friends with girls rather than boys.

“[Go] lang ako sa lahat ng pangyayari, sa takbo ng buhay. Kasi dun masusubukan kung gano ako kamahal ng pamilya ko,” she said.

But while Jerry Boy started her new life as Mhayumi with conviction and determination, it wasn’t as easy a transition for her father.

“Nasaktan ako dahil nga alam ko talaga lalaki siya. Hindi ko akalain na isang lalaki ko naging ganito, naging babae. Kasi mahirap e, imbis na may katiwang ako sa paghanap bahay, naging babae pa siya,” Jerry said.

But despite his internal struggles, Jerry found himself feeling protective over Mhayumi.

Mhayumi recalled an instance where her father became angry when she was being bullied and teased for being transgender.

“Nung bata po ako, may nakaaway po si papa na parang kababata ko po, na nam-bully sa akin. Inaasar-asar niya po ako na bakla,” she said.

Jerry said that he would willingly fight for Mhayumi to the death.

“Hanggang patayan kaya ko siya ipaglaban. Kung nakita ko na siya ay inaaway, ilalaban ko talaga yan ng patayan,” he said.

Mhayumi joins pageants such as Miss Gay, and her father is her number one supporter. 

Jerry said he is proud of her, and that to him, she is very beautiful.

“Tinitignan ko na lang siya, maganda naman. Ang ganda-ganda nga diba; tangkad pa,” he said.

He is also fully supportive of her relationship with her boyfriend. 

Mhayumi expressed her gratitude for her father for being accepting, and said that he never made her feel like he was disappointed in her.

Jerry said that no matter what she does or what he becomes, she is his child and he will love her.

“Ang pagmamahal ko sa iyo bilang isang ama, ibubuhos ko lahat ng oras, araw man o gabi hindi kita iiwanan. Mahal na mahal kita. Kahit ikaw ay naging babae man, anak pa rin kita, kahit anong gawin mo sa mundo, anak pa rin kita,” he said. — Jessica Bartolome/LA, GMA News