Beyond respect, a group of gay beauticians juggling as freelance choreographers or entertainers, in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, gets a new window of opportunity to cope with the test of time amid an economic crunch.
Mayor Marvin Malacon gave the 75-strong EB Magalona Beauticians Association (EBMBA) a chance to re-open and operate on their own, the Isla Madalag Eco-Haven, a seafood restaurant run by the municipal government in the midst of a lush mangrove plantation along Madalag River in Barangay Madalag, some five kilometers from the town’s poblacion.
Opened in June 2022, Isla Madalag Eco-Haven has been among the top destinations in EB Magalona for a family week-end, and a favorite site for nature and seafood lovers as well.
But due to unavoidable circumstances, the floating restaurant, next to the famous Mangrove Eco-Trail in Barangay Tomongtong, was temporarily closed last year.
Malacon, however, found a new opportunity to revive Isla Madalag Eco-Haven with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-registered EBMBA as the new operator.
“We gave 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 have gains later, to support their members amid challenging times now,” said Malacon.
EBMBA started on August 3 and 4.
EBMBA, according to Municipal Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) Officer Jojo Vargas, who is also acting as group’s adviser, decided to have an “unli sugba” (unlimited grilling) of pork, chicken, and beef with unlimited rice, at P200 only.
Seafood like crabs, oysters (talaba), shrimps, among others, are still available, but not included in the unli “sugba” promo, Vargas said.
Isla Madalag Eco-Haven, he added, is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. only. But another come-on is, the gay entertainment every 2 p.m., said Vargas.
It enlivens the dining atmosphere at the now-pink-dominated mangrove-enveloped restaurant, said John Carl Castigador, EBMBA president.
Malacon stressed this new “window of opportunity” given to the members of Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) members belonging to EBMBA has the essence of respect to 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 blatantly shows an all-out support to the LGBTQ group in town.” Vargas stressed.
“Giving us the opportunity to run a business really means a lot for us gay people,” he added. “Before, gays in EB Magalona are kinda ‘underdogs’.”
Without social events, we are just like ‘tambays’ – no income, ‘palaboys’.
“But with the support and respect of Mayor Malacon, we feel our importance now in the society,” Castigador confided.
“This is an extra-ordinary gesture coming from the chief executive of our town. We owe him (Malacon) a lot. Putting a spotlight to a gay group is unusual for a mayor. But he did it beyond our expectation(s),” the EBMBA prexy underscored.
Both Vargas and Castigador vowed to take good care of Isla Madalag Eco-Haven and the natural surroundings within, being situated in one of the coastal communities in town, to show the mayor that he never erred in giving them a “golden chance” to rise above from the many challenges confronting the LGBTQ communities across the globe.*
