Laguna’s MJ Glipo wins third season of Tomboy Philippines

MANILA — True love and acceptance are some of the reasons why former OFW MJ Glipo joined the third season of Tomboy Philippines. He won the title on October 24 at the awarding ceremony held at a hotel in Manila.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Wednesday, Glipo said he is still in disbelief that he won the title.

“Surreal pa rin parang last week sobrang pinagpi-pray ko. Nandoon na ako sa part na kung paano ko siya magagampanan ng maayos,” said Glipo.

For Glipo, the challenge now is to make a difference and a meaningful contribution to LGBTQIA+ community by using his platform to really turn tolerance into a genuine acceptance.

“Gusto ko makipag-coordinate sa active LGBT groups na may parehong ipinaglalaban sa akin at ipinaglalaban ng Tomboy Philippines. Kasi nga ‘yung pageant is gusto ngang magkaroon ng visibility, dahil madalas na hindi rin napapansin ang mga lesbian,” he shared.

Tomboy Philippines is a national pageant that celebrates confidence, individuality, and the diverse expressions of beauty. 

“It’s not just a pageant, it’s a movement. The mission is to be visible, to be seen. For me, Tomboy Philippines is a big thing for us lesbians. First, it helps us to develop our confidence since there are just few people who gives attention to lesbians, who are also talented. Ang maganda sa Tomboy Philippines nabibigyan kami ng attention, training since audition, may workshop kaya nade-develop ang aming confidence,” he said.

He said that part of his life’s purpose is to inspire others to be free and accept who they really are. 

“Sana nga po (matapos ang stigma against LGBTQ+ individuals). Kasi halos lahat naman po may kapamilya o kaibigan na lesbian o tomboy. So kung talagang kilala nila kami ng malaliman, alam nila ang struggle namin at alam nila kung paano kami naapektuhan at paano pa rin kami naapektuhan ng mga salitang ipinupukol sa amin kahit sa online,” he said.

Born Marie Joy Glipo, he admitted feeling “condemned” being a member of the LGBTQIA+.” 

At the young age, Glipo said he already knew that he is not straight. Afraid to be judged, he struggled for a long time hiding who he is.

He decided to come out when at 27 when he joined ABS-CBN’s “That’s My Tomboy Astig 2” on “It’s Showtime” in 2015.

“Alam ko na po sa sarili ko na tomboy ako simula noong bata ako. Alam ko rin po na hindi maganda ang pagtanggap. Siyempre naririnig ko po sa iba na tomboy siya kumilos. So growing up itinago ko siya. Pero alam ng parents ko,” says Glipo. 

Trying to hide his sexual orientation it took a toll on his mental health. 

“Nagkaroon ako ng stage fright at simpleng conversation ay iniiwasan ko na. Kasi late na ako nakapag-out,” he said.

For his mental health, Glipo, who worked as barista in Dubai, decided to finally come out even if it was late.

“Ang concern ko ay ‘yung mga kabataan na may potential, may talent at malalagay sa sitwasyon ko na nag-struggle. Gusto ko makapagbigay ng inspirasyon at makatulong sa mga taong dumadaan sa pinagdaanan ko,” he said.

To avoid “what ifs” and regrets, Glipo finally faced his fears and joined Tomboy Philippines after receiving encouragement  and support from people close to him and from netizens.

He said his biggest support and inspiration in joining the pageant is his girlfriend. 

He also admitted that one of the reasons he joined the competition is because he dreams of undergoing top surgery.

“Kasi kasama po siya sa prizes so doon po ako nagkaroon na ‘go ko na ito.’ Kung first runner-up ako ‘di ko makukuha ‘yung top surgery na prize. So ‘yun po ang naging push ko talaga ‘yung top surgery,” he said.

“Para po sa totoong lesbian mahirap po ang may ganito. Hindi po kami makakilos ng kumportable,” he explained.

A graduate Information Technology in Laguna, Glipo admitted that even after winning the title, he’s still working on his confidence.

Glipo said his love for singing began when he was just 4 years old. Even at that age, he enjoyed performing in front of audiences in his hometown.

“At the very young age, nursery, kindergarten, pinapakanta na ako. Nakita na ‘yung potential ko, natutuwa sila kasi nanginginig ang boses ko, sabi nila ‘gustong gusto ng batang ito kumanta.’ Gusto ko palagi na ako ‘yung pinipili na kakanta noong bata pa,” recalled Glipo, whose musical influences includes global star Bruno Mars and loves R&B.

If given a chance, he said that he would like to pursue his love for singing, record his own songs and share his singing talent to a bigger audience.

“Hanggang may pagkakataon po ako gusto ko po i-share ‘yung talent ko po,” said Glipo, who also knows how to play guitar.

“Kung  mabibigyan ako ng pagkakataon iga-grab ko po talaga,” added Glipo, who also dreams of collaborating with OPM singer-songwriter Arthur Nery.

As someone who loves singing, Glipo is hoping to share his talent and use it to inspire other members of  LGBTQIA+.” 

“Though marami na pong gay and lesbian na artists parang somehow ‘yung story ko kung mabibigyan siya ng pansin, makaka-inspire siya. Kasi marami sa LGBTQIA+ ay tinatago na lang. Kasi marami ang may gusto ng talent namin, pinapanood kami pero pagdating sa personal o pagkatao namin, parang tino-tolerate lang kami pero hindi totally tanggap. At ‘yun ang nakikita ko sa industry kasi pagdating na nagkakaroon ng isyu sa LGBT ay iba pa rin ang comment ng mga tao. So nandoon pa rin sa tolerated but not really accepted,” Glipo said.