They make other people laugh for a living and as a passion but behind the cameras, the Beks Batallion has tear-jerking stories of acceptance and love. In light of the Father’s Day celebration, MC, Lassy, and Chad Kinis talk about their relationship with their fathers and the fondest moments they had with them.
There is still a social stigma attached to fathering a child with ‘special gender identity,’ which more often than not makes coming out even to families and relatives quite scary. Chad spoke first, describing his relationship with his dad as bittersweet. His father died in 2005. They weren’t the kind of family that tackles issues through heart-to-heart conversations but they understood each other even in the most silent moments.
There was a time, though when Chad turned rebellious having been called out for his ‘softness.’ “Ito ‘yung moment na kumakain kami sa hapag-kainan tapos nakita niyang pumitik ‘yung kamay ko. Kasi ang tagal ko nang tinatago na beks ako, binato ako ng plato ng tatay ko. Sabi niya, ‘kung lalambot-lambot ka at hindi mo kayang magpaka lalaki, lumayas ka,’ so lumayas ako.” Chad proved himself capable of being independent in order to make his father proud.
A sweet reconciliation soon happened before his father died, enough to make up for the years of distance between them. There was no drama, just plain forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding. If his father is listening, Chad would like to tell him that he is the best father in the world, and he would also strive to become the best son his dad could be proud of.
MC lost his father at the age of sixteen soon after he was able to come out. As a Father’s Day message, MC told his dad not to worry about their family and he knows they have an angel watching over them.
Lassy’s experience was a stark contrast with that of Chad. He said his father fully embraced his sexuality at a young age. He simply kept it real, no explanations needed. And all these years, his father’s teachings about doing good remains instilled in his mind.
Lassy turned emotional as he sympathized with his friends, counting himself lucky to still have his father around. “Nalulungkot ako para sa mga kaibigan ko kasi ako, napaka swerte ko andiyan pa siya. Pero si Chad at MC, nakakalungkot lang kasi hindi sapat ‘yung panahon na nakasama nila ‘yung tatay nila, kulang ‘yung panahon na nayakap nila”
Despite the tears, MC, Lassy, and Chad know there are happier times to look forward to and they could still make their fathers proud by making other people smile.