Beyond respect, gay community gets new ‘window of opportunity’

A group of gay beauticians in EB Magalona town, who also work as freelance choreographers and entertainers, has found a new opportunity to navigate economic challenges.

Mayor Marvin Malacon granted the 75-member EB Magalona Beauticians Association (EBMBA) the chance to reopen and manage the Isla Madalag Eco-Haven, a municipal government-run seafood restaurant nestled in a lush mangrove plantation along Madalag River in Barangay Madalag, about five kilometers from the town’s center.

Opened in June 2022, Isla Madalag Eco-Haven has become one of EB Magalona’s top destinations for family weekend bonding and a favorite spot for nature and seafood enthusiasts.

However, due to unavoidable circumstances, the floating restaurant, located next to the famous Mangrove Eco-Trail in Barangay Tomongtong, was temporarily closed last year.

Mayor Malacon saw an opportunity to revive Isla Madalag Eco-Haven with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-registered EBMBA as the new operator.

“We provided P300,000 as their start-up capital to run the restaurant on Saturdays and Sundays only. It’s up to them how to manage and earn profits to support their members during these challenging times,” said Malacon.

EBMBA began operations on August 3 and 4. Municipal Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) Officer Jojo Vargas, who also acts as the group’s adviser, said they decided to offer “unli sugba” (unlimited grilling) of pork, chicken, and beef with unlimited rice for only P200.

Seafood such as crabs, oysters (talaba), and shrimps are still available but are not included in the “unli sugba” promo.

Isla Madalag Eco-Haven operates from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Another attraction is the gay entertainment at 2 p.m., which enlivens the dining atmosphere at the now pink-dominated mangrove-enveloped restaurant, said John Carl Castigador, EBMBA president.

Mayor Malacon emphasized that this new “window of opportunity” given to the LGBTQ members of EBMBA embodies respect for their existence in the town’s community.

“This is also part of our commitment to valuing inclusivity in EB Magalona,” Malacon added.

“This is the first time that a mayor has shown such all-out support to the LGBTQ group in town,” Vargas noted. “Giving us the opportunity to run a business really means a lot for us gay people.”

Castigador shared, “Before, gays in EB Magalona were kind of ‘underdogs.’ Without social events, we were just like ‘tambays’ – no income, ‘palaboys.’ But with Mayor Malacon’s support and respect, we now feel our importance in society.”

“This is an extraordinary gesture from our town’s chief executive. We owe him a lot. Putting a spotlight on a gay group is unusual for a mayor. But he did it beyond our expectations,” Castigador emphasized.

Both Vargas and Castigador vowed to take good care of Isla Madalag Eco-Haven and its natural surroundings, as it is situated in one of the coastal communities in town, to show the mayor that he did not make a mistake in giving them a “golden chance” to rise above the many challenges confronting LGBTQ communities worldwide.