NOTE: Utopia actively promotes gay social alternatives to the commercial sex trade. Please help us keep these listings current and correct. Special thanks to billy-shane, redd, a_winslow200, kamiguy, salcedo, carlianz22, Rod, Ryan, Kjell, Oscar, Michael, Kenneth, Kent, Walt, Michael G., Jovem, J.D., Wetzki, Mark, Ken, Markos, Jeff, Edward and Phillip!
Recently, the Committee on Human Rights of the House
of Representatives “approved in principle” what could
be the first legislative measure on LGBT human rights
in the country. H.B. 2784, more popularly known as the
Anti-Discrimination Bill, seeks to criminalize
discriminatory practices and policies against Filipino
homosexuals. Such discriminatory offenses include
policies of some schools that prohibit the admission
of gay applicants and the use of homosexuality as a
cause or reason for the dismissal of lesbian and gay
employees. It also intends to punish medical
institutions and commercial establishments that refuse
or maltreat Filipino homosexuals.
The Anti-Discrimination Bill is authored by Akbayan
Rep. Loretta Ann Rosales and was formulated after a
series of innovative dialogues with LAGABLAB, or the
Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network.
Utopia has assembled the world's first guide to the G&L scene in 16 Asian countries including complete listings for the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Nepal, plus "best of" listings for select major cities in a dozen other countries. Listings include organizations, bars, discos, accommodations, spas, restaurants, and more. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians and gay travelers. Click here to order the collector's First Edition
The Philippines has much to offer: beautiful nature and beach resorts at bargain prices, winsome smiles and a friendly mabuhay (hello) from nearly everyone. Because the Philippines is predominantly Catholic you might think that gay life is deeply hidden. But don't assume that the scene is minimal just because gay bars or other establishments seem to be few in number. In fact, Filipino gays are usually fully integrated into their extended families and live in a society that is generally tolerant and inclusive of GLBT. There are, of course, legal and political struggles and the Philippines has a long tradition of ardent queer activism in the public arena to quickly counter prejudice and misunderstanding. Asia's first ever gay pride march was held in Manila on Jun 26, 1994.
Looking for some Leyte singles on your trip to the Philippines? Just look online. There are many dating sites where you can find single men and women around the world, so you're bound to find love soon.
Local publication especially developed for gay men and women, metrosexuals and liberal minds. the lifestyle-conscious, shop-savvy, socially-aware, party-loving and liberal individuals -- Generation Pink. The magazine specifically showcases personalities, fashion, music, literature, theater, movies, parties and more. Artful lay-outs and high-quality. Proceeds from the magazine go to HIV/AIDS awareness programs in the Philippines as well as youth advocacy.
Golden Legacy Bld Unit 304, 98 Xavierville Ave Corner E. Abada St, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, 433-0674, 0921-784-3260, email. A national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Filipinos, founded on September 1, 2003. It supports legislation for non-discrimination against LGBTs and equal opportunities for them.
1-908-888-2428 anytime anywhere in the Philippines, 10 Philippine pesos per minute for virtual or live chats and information on the local lifestyle and recreation scene for gay/bisexual/lesbian Filipinos and friends.
Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB)
LAGABLAB
is the largest network of LGBT groups in the Philippines and has actively campaigned against discrimination, along with Amnesty International Pilipinas, an international human rights NGO.
Mailing address: 2577 A. Bonifacio St., Bangkal, Makati City 1233 Philippines, email. A membership organization of educators committed to sexual and reproductive health and rights education and empowerment among vulnerable and marginalized groups, particularly among communities of bakla, gay, bisexual and other MSM (men who have sex with men).
A network of individuals and representatives of private companies, NGOs and participating government agencies including the Department of Tourism (DOT) that help facilitate publicity and participation of the local GLBT community in Pride events.
Suite 1005, Medical Plaza Ortigas Building, 10th Fl, 25 San Miguel Ave, Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila, (63-2) 412-8349, FAX 636-8823, email. November 5-9, 2003 at the Ayala Greenbelt Theater, Makati City. This festival has been organized to benefit HIV/AIDS education, awareness, prevention and care in the Philippines; and to enhance development of local filmmaking through exhibition of international films and videos.
35 Scout Delgado St, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, (632) 367-3109, FAX 371-2302, email. Gay rights and service organization providing public education, counseling, publicity for gay events, human rights advocacies, sports activities and health advice since 1993. Progay led the first Gay March in Asia on June 26, 1994. Sponsors the Pink Film Festival and other pride events.
Email. A network of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations and LGBT-friendly groups committed to promoting respect for the diverse expressions of responsible sexuality, and the recognition of the right of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders to a dignified life without discrimination and prejudice. They organize the annual Philippine Pride festival.
BAGUIO (Cordillera)
Baguio is quaint and engulfed in a beautiful, cool environment (and, according to Utopians, abounding with hot and spicy hunks).
The population of Baguio is over 260,000 (that's over 10,000 Utopians).
"Dancers perform from 9:30-3am. Some strip all the way. Admission is P$150 (US$3.50), but this is applied to your drink bill. So you can get two free beers, or apply the P$150 to your cocktail tab. I felt that the manager could have been more accomodating, but he just didn't seem to want to take the time." -- Sekjr, Jun 2, 2008
Friday's
Unit 4,5,6 Nevada Square, 1 Loakan Rd (near the entrance gate of Camp John Hay). 092-8401-2868. Very nice and cozy bar. Most popular dance club for the young crowd.
"Dancers perform from 9:30-3am. They all strip at midnight. The manager, Ferdinand, is very accommodating." -- Sekjr, Jun 2, 2008
Burnham Park
Mines View Park
Sessions Road
Centennial Park (in front of City Hall)
BORACAY ISLAND (Visaya)
Boracay Island is a delightful get-away from Manila's crowded, traffic-snarled streets. Popular during high season (Nov-Apr). Even during low season the weather can be quite nice and you can avoid the tourist throngs. Hotel rates, meal prices and other services are also discounted heavily from May-Oct. Boracay is accessible from Manila and other cities by various combos of air, bus and boat.
Manggayad, Malay Aklan (near Lorenzo Resort), White Beach, 634-2639. The owner will direct you to the bars and nightclubs where gay people go.
Coco Loco
Malay Aklan (near Boracay Beach), 288-3028.
Summer Place (mixed)
White Beach.
Comments from Utopians:
"Went to Summer Place last night . It's a great place to go with someone to chat and drink and cuddle. The space is amazing, The staff are very friendly, as is the manager. Prices are good." -- jingangzuan, May 21, 2008
Beachcomber Disco (mixed)
White Beach.
Sulu Star (mixed)
Southern end of White Beach, across from Boat Station #3 and above the Sulu Thai restaurant. Karaoke competitions. Popular with gays. Nightly sing-along contests, with disco dancing after midnight.
South section of White Beach, near the rocks, daytime.
Take a late-night stroll down the beach for potential interesting encounters.
Cagayan de Oro (Mindanao)
The gateway to Mindanao, also known as the City of Golden Friendship, is the fastest growing city in the Philippines. There is much to see and do, from prehistoric caves and white water rafting, to the beautiful country scenery and the nearby mountainous province of Bukidnon. People from neighboring cities around Mindanao come here every weekend to enjoy the nightlife. Gay life is abundunt. The city is young but has preserved its greenery.
The population of Cagayan de Oro is over 600,000 (that's about 25,000 Utopians).
Rizal Gomez St, (63-927) 394-9121, email. Gay bar with KTV VIP-rooms, darts, billards, shows and more. Utopia Member Discount
Comments from Utopians:
"Navigator is a nice bar located at Osmena St (near Discovery Hotel and Limketkai Mall), 856-5628. You can go there riding a motorela or a taxi. Motorela would cost P$5/person from Divisoria and taxi would cost around P$40 from Divisoria. It is a strip club. On Fri and Sat they have special singing and performing events. The manager's name is Toto. If you accept the company of one of their staff, be prepared to buy him drinks all night (you pay for alcohol but he gets cola!)." -- Sekjr, Jun 8, 2008
Divisoria Downtown
Gaisano Mall
Limketkai Mall
McArthur Park (popular around this area)
Comments from Utopians:
"Just had a visit to McArthur Park. It was very cool and it's not difficult at all to find those who wanna get aquainted with foreign guys. Some of them were young and well educated. Two guys I met tried to speak English with me and it was quite nice." -- jonhgz, May 23, 2008
Opol Beach
Ororama Megacenter
Pelaez Sports Center
The Site
Limketkai Rosario Arcade. Most gays hang around here on weekends.
SM Mall
The Park Café
Downtown Divisoria. A favourite hangout for gays.
Gay-friendly Internet cafés are Neverland Café and Cyvilnet Café
Camiguin Island
Camiguin is the 2nd smallest province of Philippines. Camiguin Island is in the Bohol Sea. It becomes a gay haven during Holy Week, with many gays from Northern Mindanao, especially Cagayan de Oro.
CEBU / Mandaue / Lapu-Lapu (Visaya) -- area code (63-32)
Mandaue is part of the city of Cebu - all the north-south streets in Cebu continue on into Mandaue without interruption. Also Lapu-Lapu on Mactan Island is part of the same metropolitan area. You get off the plane at the Cebu City airport and drive for the first ten minutes through Lapu-Lapu, cross a bridge, drive ten minutes through Mandaue and then into Cebu.
The population of Cebu is over 750,000 (that's over 30,000 Utopians).
The premiere nightclub in the city. It gets cruisy sometimes.
Comments from Utopians:
"Navigator, a macho dancer bar that attracts many Korean women as well as gays, is located at Cabahug Rd, Mandaue, a 5 minute walk north of Jollybee (very well known by taxis in Cebu). The Host 78, recently opened in the lane beside Yellow Cab Pizzeria on Maxilom Ave in the area known collectively as 'Mango' (between Mango Park Hotel and Mango Plaza). No sign on the outside, just a white door in a vaguely castle-like wall. Poor lighting and expensive by local standards. Cebu city regulations mean their dancers show less than in Mandaue. Milkman on Del Roario Ave, Guizo, Mandaue is the smallest and friendliest of Cebu’s bars. They show slightly more than other bars in Cebu. Naughty Ka Restobar (sister bar of Milkman), is beside Sentinel Condominium, #11 Cuenco Ave, Banilad. Don't go to Tarzan Boy. I had a problem with one of their masseurs and Tarzan’s management was unsympathetic, threatening to contact Immigration Police and turn in my name." -- billy-shane, Jul 30, 2008
Arcade at Pelaez & Colon intersection
Ayala complex, across from Harrison Plaza and Robinson Mall
Cebu Coliseum Roller Skating
Eden Theater
Colon St, Cebu City
Fuente Osmena skating rink at night
Maroco Beach, Dumlob Talisay
South Expressway Bus Terminal
Ultravistarama Theater
Legaspi St, Cebu City
University of Visayas, Colon St
DAVAO (Southern Mindanao)-- area code (63-82)
The population of Davao is close to 1 million (that's about 40,000 Utopians).
"There's one place at Madrazo Compound, Ponciano Reyes St. The name of the bar is Boyztown. That's the 1st time I saw a gay flag hanging in Davao." -- gorio, Jan 14, 2008
Boulevard Strip
Gaisano Mall
Ilustre Avenue
Lawaan Theater
Rizal Promenade, Mi Piace
Victoria Plaza
Hinunangan (Southern Leyte)
The population of Hinunangan is over 30,000 (that's over 1,200 Utopians).
Click here for Hinunangan hotels and accommodations.
Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro is, like Boracay, a beach destination popular with locals. It is accessible by regular boats and motorized bancas (local boats with rigs) from the port of Batangas. The port is quite modern and has long term parking in case you bring your car. There are also ferries if you want to drive your own car. The port is accessible by bus from Manila and it takes less than two hours to get there. Hotels can often arrange bus and round trip boat packages to and from Puerto Galera.
There are many beaches on Puerto Galera, but the most popular for the local gay scene is White Beach. The place usually goes wild on long weekends or holidays, especially during Holy Week. There are rocky areas on the left and right side of White Beach which are inviting for cruising. There are also waterfalls near the beach, and another one accessible by boat.
East end of White Beach, walking towards Minolo Bay, in the bushes.
The rocks on the other end of White Beach, towards Aninuan Beach, afternoons.
August 2008
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