Jake Zyrus: I respect the law

MANILA, Philippines — Jake Zyrus said he knew what was coming to him even before facing the media recently for the launch of his album titled Evolution under Star Music. Carrying seven tracks including Diamond, Hiling, Bagyo, DNM, Love Even If, I’ll Be There and Tapestry, Evolution chronicles his progress not only as a transman but more importantly as a music artist.

Besides talking about his first official album as Jake Zyrus, he also addressed questions on two hotly-debated issues today — the restroom incident involving a member of the LGBT community and the proposed SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Equality) Bill.

“I knew this was coming,” said Jake when asked for his reaction about the restroom issue and which one — male or female comfort room (CR) he goes to.

“I used to think that way. Pipilitin ko yung sarili ko to go to the male’s restroom but the more I grow older, the more I realized that not everyone thinks the same. Not everyone believes in the same beliefs that you believe in. So, nagsi-CR ako kung saan ako dapat mag-CR, at kung ano po yung naiisip n’yo, dun ako nagsi-CR. I simply follow the law. I respect the law and if I respect the law, hopefully the government will see it and I hope that everyone follows it kasi madali lang naman eh.”

For Jake, what’s more important is understanding one another and treating each other well. “It’s just the CR and you know, it goes both ways, you know, it’s about behavior. It’s about how we treat each other. This is not about sexuality anymore. This is not about the CR anymore. This is not just about understanding me, understanding the LGBTQI community, this (goes) both ways.”

He stressed his point by quoting an old adage, “Pag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng tinapay,” explaining, “if someone does not understand what you’re going through, if someone does not understand who you are, you simply understand them because we don’t have the right to push everyone to accept our beliefs. Paano kung gawin sayo yun? Wouldn’t it be that offending? It’s the same thing with everything.

“So, if I go to a women’s restroom and they feel awkward, it’s not my fault anymore because I’m just following the law, cause that’s what they said, right?”

Even if Jake identifies as a transman, he respects the fact that he was born female. “Biologically, I am a woman so I follow it because I don’t need everyone else’s validation of who I am. I transitioned to transman because it’s a fulfillment for myself, an achievement for me. Nag-come out ako hindi para isampal sa lahat ‘O ito, ako yan,’ but because first of all, I’m in show business and I felt like it’s a must. It’s a must for everyone to know who I really am. I’m not pushing everybody to celebrate with me.”

He added that he’s thankful to people who support his decision and to those who don’t, he understands. “But I’m here and I tell you who I am because this is what makes me happy and I respect your happiness.”

When asked if he is in favor of separate restrooms for LGBTQIs, Jake said, “Sa totoo lang, ako po ay agree lang if it’s for the betterment of our country. If it’s going to be a good thing for our country, if everyone’s going to stop hating each other because of a restroom, nasa gobyerno na po natin yan. Pero yun po pabor ako kung okey sa lahat.

“I still believe na magbabago yan. Let’s be contented with whatever it is that we have right now. So ako, okey na ako dun because I know that someday… we don’t know what the future will bring but I’m comfortable with myself.”

Meanwhile, asked for his reaction on the SOGIE bill being debated in the Senate, Jake replied, “For me, when you say SOGIE bill, it’s for everyone eh. The problem is, it always focuses on one group. Parang nasasarili, na-do-dominate and that’s what I don’t like because I am for anything na makaka-better sa lahat ng tao. If this bill will be good for everybody and not just the LGBTQI, if everyone benefits from it, if there’s no more discrimination and domination, then I’m all for it. But if this bill is going to be taken advantage of, dun mo masasabing mali talaga.

“Kung ito yung magpapagulo sa atin bakit ka mag-a-agree di ba? So, in order for us to reach that point, we all want for this country to be good, then we all have to be equal. As long as hindi nagkakaroon ng ganyan, we can’t pass any bill regarding discrimination and anything because even if it’s passed and approved hangga’t walang nakakaintindi truly at hindi nagiging equal ang lahat, wala ring silbi yung bill. It’s all going to come from us.”

Jake believes that with or without the SOGIE Bill, “it’s up to us if we treat each other (nicely), if we understand each other. Kahit hindi mo ako tanggap pero respetuhin mo ako, rerespetuhin kita.”

He continued, “That’s why I said, what if we will just be contented with what we have because the more na pinu-push natin parang the more na binabasura, lalong inaalis kumbaga.”

Jake admitted that he is actually “unbothered” by all the fuss, thanks to his fiancée Shyre Aquino.

“I’ve been feeling spiritual because my fiancée is a Christian. She has been inspiring me and everything, sobrang nag-light yung feeling ko. I’m comfortable with everything because I’m (feeling) good spiritually so I feel calm. I knew what people are gonna say, I knew what they’re gonna post, I knew what they’re gonna comment and that’s when I realized I have to accept this, this is the world now. (I just) go with the flow,” he said.

“I have accepted that this is how it is today. Hindi na natin mababago kaya kung hindi ka na naiintindihan, ikaw na lang umintindi kasi you can’t eh…it’s not in your control anymore.”