Guess who BB Gangdanghari approached first when he came out of the closet
Contrary to popular knowledge, it was not PBB (Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition grand winner) Keanna Reeves who first knew Rustom Padilla (BB Gandanghari’s former name) is gay. Even before Rustom shocked the country with his revelation on national TV, the controversial actor already told the truth to one person who was entitled to it: his former wife Carmina Villarroel.
“Wala akong kinonsulta sa mga kamag-anak ko tungkol sa coming out ko sa PBB. I guess kung meron akong nakausap bago ako pumasok sa PBB, si Carmina yon,” BB said at the presscon of ‘2 ½ Daddies,’ his new TV5 sitcom with brothers Robin and Rommel Padilla.
BB – then Rustom – came out to Carmina in 2005, or way before he made his public admission in March 2006. Carmina's twins, Mavy and Cassy (by Zoren Legaspi, whom she married in 2012), were then four years old.
Calm Carmina
In fairness to her, Carmina handled the situation calmly. She just said yes, she will help her former husband.
“Rustom and Carmina had a closure in 2005. Bago nag-out si Rustom, kay Carmina siya unang nakipag-usap para maging fair sa kanya. At that time, Carmina was thanking Rustom na hindi nag-react si Rustom nung nagkanaak siya non. Hindi siya nag-grandstanding. Hindi nakisali sa gulo. Malaking iskandalo yon (noon). So sabi nya, ‘Ngayon na ikaw naman ang humihingi ng tulong, tutulungan kita,” recalls BB.
When the first PBB Celebrity Edition was launched in 2006, BB admitted he joined the show, not for the grand prize, but to end speculations and admit he’s gay.
“Hindi ko kayang personalin lahat. Gusto ko, one time big time.”
No dramatic questions
There were no dramatic questions that made an awkward situation more difficult -- just one full-blown confession and a quick voluntary exit from the reality show.
BB admitted having second thoughts about the whole thing. The possibility of backing out at the last minute kept bugging him moments before that big reveal to Keanna.
And then came what BB calls a sign -- a butterfly that fluttered out of nowhere. The rest, as they say, is history.
Slow acceptance
Today, BB’s family has slowly accepted that Rustom is gone and that a transgender has taken his place.
Robin and Rommel have turned protective brothers who want BB to be careful with the way she dresses.
One time, Robin relates, BB wore an attire he and Rommel deemed inappropriate.
“Nagulat kami ni Kuya Rommel. Bakat ang nipples nya. Nagturuan kami ni Kuya Rommel kung sino ang magsasabi sa kanya na mag-bra. Since mas matanda si Kuya Rommel, sabi ko siya na.”
The brothers’ acceptance of BB is not limited to the way she looks. Robin and Rommel wait patiently for BB to emerge from the dressing room before a take because it takes longer for her to fix herself the way most women do.
Careful with words
They choose their words carefully in front of BB for fear they might say something that would offend her.
"Ingat na ingat kami sa kanya minsan kasi sa sobrang relax (sa set ng ‘2 ½ Daddies’), nasasaktan na pala namin sya. Medyo hanap kami ng butas kung saan kami papasok ni Kuya Rommel,” says Robin.
BB appreciates her family’s efforts to adjust to her.
“The adjustment is ongoing pero malaki ang pinagbago. Everyday is always a better day. Dati, wala silang idea kung ano ang transgender. I’m not gay, I’m a transgender. Ngayon alam na nila.”
Basic respect
In return, BB has not disappointed her brothers. She has not introduced a boyfriend to them and is not even rumored to be in a relationship.
“Walang may gusto nito. Kailangan lang na ma-maintain ang basic respect sa pagkatao ng bawat isa sa pamilya. Regardless of everything, we are trying to preserve our family. Kaya nagiging maayos ang lahat.”
Rommel, for his part, knows it’s not easy at first. But in the end, one must love a transgender family member.
“Namnamin mo ang sakit. Walang may gusto nyan. Kadugo mo yan. Walang ibang dapat gawin kundi bigyan siya ng pagmamahal.”
Enough of the drama
Robin wants enough of the drama.
“Nandyan na yan. Maging masaya na lang tayo at panoorin ang ‘2 ½ Daddies’ para malaman kung paano nyo iha-handle ang ganong situation.”
‘2 ½ Daddies,’ which also stars Dennis Padilla, Francine Prieto and Artista Academy’s Alberto Bruno, airs every Saturday, 8 p.m., starting January 24.
