Anjo Pertierra talks about homophobic experiences faced by LGBTQIA+ volleyball players
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Anjo Pertierra also has a message for everyone who judges people based on gender and sexuality.
Kapuso weatherman and actor Anjo Pertierra is one of the most promising personalities today because of his hosting skills. But before he graced the news, he was a monster on the basketball and volleyball courts.
His experiences as a basketball and volleyball player gave Anjo a wider perspective on the realities of being an athlete in the Philippines, which he opened up about in the January 20 episode of the GTV cooking talk show Lutong Bahay.
“In general, sa basketball kasi, alam naman nating sa Pilipinas, number one sport 'yan. Walang tatalo sa basketball. So dumating sa time na na-se-stereotype ako na bading kasi raw nagvo-volleyball.”
(Basketball is the number one sport in the Philippines. No one can top it. So there was a time that I was stereotyped and called gay because I played volleyball.)
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But Anjo said he was never affected because of his security in his sexuality. However, he was concerned for his co-players who were part of the LGBTQIA+ community who experienced homophobia.
Noong colllege kasi ako, ako 'yung captain ball ng team. So, mayroon akong mga teammates na [from the] LGBT community. Dumarating sa point na parang inaatake 'yung gender nila and the sport itself na parang pinag-co-combine nila na pag volleyball player ka, automatic bading ka,” said Anjo.
(I was the captain ball and have teammates from the LGBTQIA+ community. There are instances where people would attack their genders and the sport itself, saying playing volleyball automatically makes you gay.)
Following these experiences, Anjo reiterated that there is nothing wrong with being homosexual.
“Walang mali sa pagiging bading [at] kung ano man 'yung gender preference mo. Pero parang kasi, ang dating sa kanila, nilu-look down nila 'yung teammate ko,” said Anjo. “Feeling ko insecurity 'yan, e.”
(There is nothing wrong with being homosexual and whatever are your gender preferences. For them, they look down on my teammates because of it. I feel that's insecurity.)
In the end, Anjo sent a message to everyone and reminded them to be mindful of judgments towards the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Guys, 2025 na. Gumising na tayo. 'Wag na tayong gender-based sa mga ginagawa,” said Anjo.
(Guys, it's 2025! Wake up. Let us not be judgmental about gender.)
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