Jake can still vividly remember how he enthusiastically

answered his mother when she asked him, “What gift

do you want for your 7 th birthday?” “A Barbie doll house,
Ma! Like Kelly’s!” Kelly was his childhood best friend and
neighbor who was also his age. He knew right at that
moment he always and only wanted things that girls
often had—pink, glittery and sparkly, and printed with
either Barbie in different costumes or the Disney princesses.

Yet Jake didn’t receive the gift he wanted. His mother just laughed upon hearing him. Eventually
he learnt his father refused giving it to him, thinking it was too unmanly of him. Since then, he
grew up acting like how “normal” boys would. He tried to hide what and how he actually was from
his family, and only selected friends to show his feminine side—those who were also like him. He
did feel there were days when his mother would notice and feel for him, but he still chose to
suppress himself from expressing to her because he knew she won’t be able to do anything to
protect him from his father anyway.

More than the occasional bullying and judgment he received from people in their neighborhood
and in school, his family was his biggest struggle. He grew up frustrated at how the people who
are supposed and whom he expects to be there for him against the world are the first ones to
ridicule how he wants to live his life. After graduating high school, Jake chose to study college in
Cebu to be away from his family. He applied for and was granted a scholarship, and worked at
night to support himself. His parents did offer to support him, but he kindly declined their offer
reasoning he wanted independence. Yet deep in his heart, he did this because he wanted to
finally be able to go out of his shell and express himself without having to be afraid that his father
will get back at him telling him they spent so much for him that he can’t just do what he wants to.

As soon as his first year in college, he began opening up. Inside school and outside it he did not
hold back. He started cross-dressing with support from his classmates and friends who let him
borrow their clothes. He learnt how to do make-up. Eventually, before he was even in his second
year, making other people’s faces as his canvas for his art made him earn so much more than his
night job. At 17, he was a famous make-up artist in the campus, fully-booked for almost every
weekend and every occasion there is. Aside from being able to support his schooling needs, he
was also already able to buy some wants and save up for future needs. In the middle of his
second year, he opened himself to the idea of sex reassignment surgery. He definitely wanted to
not just feel feminine, but appear as one. He started saving up especially for it.

It was only in his third year when he got to once again go home in their province, appearing
before his family a lot different than when he left years ago. His hair was long, he wore make-up
and women’s clothes, and he had a thinner waist and bigger chest. As he expected, his father was
extremely upset. For the week that he stayed there, his father left the house. He talked things out
with his mom, whom he felt was still powerless over his dad, yet Jake chose to stand his ground
and tell his mother he would remain as he is. He left home and returned to Cebu devastated at
the same time relieved that he was finally able to show them the life he chose to lead. Just before
his college graduation, he gladly informed his parents he was finishing as Cum Laude, he thought
it would at least make them proud despite the tension. But his heart only broke when his mother
told him his father was not going to attend his graduation because he felt it was shameful for
their family to see him “not unmanly” on stage.
And without his father’s financial support, his
mother will not be able to go too. When he
offered he would pay for his mother’s fare, he
was only told his father would not let his mother
return home should she choose to attend the
graduation. In the end, Jake concluded he will
have neither of them on one of his most awaited
days of his life.

Jake did not receive his diploma and medal on stage alone. Two of his closest friends’ mothers
went up with him to put on his medal. He was only emotional to have these people who may not
have been family by blood, but were there for him and supported him more than his own
parents. He joined their celebration too, as if there were two graduates in his friend’s family
because he was the newest addition. Despite everything, Jake couldn’t be more thankful. Two
years after he graduated, Jake finally achieved his long dream of biologically becoming a woman.
With all his savings from college up until when he started his career as a professional make-up
artist, he finally underwent a sex reassignment surgery. Since then, Jake was now more fondly
called Jane. She looks more beautiful, blooming, happy and contented now more than ever. She
has not gone home to their province since the last time she did, yet she still believes things will be
alright in God’s perfect time. She only prays day by day that that time finally comes soon.
 Jane is a good friend of mine. Ever since we knew
each other she was an inspiration to me. Her strength
and determination in life only led her to the success
she always wants to achieve. So many things may
have been so hard for her in the past and even now,
yet you almost never see her sad and she’ll never fail
to make you laugh until you cry. Now more than ever
I am only reminded to pay more respect to people like
her, who may not be accepted by so many people
surrounding them—may it be neighbors, mere
strangers, or even their families, yet still remain to
stand strong and prove to the world that they are so
much more than the judgments being thrown at
them. Jane is not the only friend I have who belongs
to the LGBT+ community, I actually have a lot. And
their individual stories drive me to educate others too
of how they should be accepted and respected, and how their choices in life never make them
bad people. I try my best to help other people understand them, and I will never get tired of doing
so. They too are human beings, and they are no less than anyone else. They deserve our love and
kindness that they will also gladly give back to us.