A video of a crossdressing gay man — a minor celebrity in Cebu province — lecturing a waiter for calling him ‘sir’ when he wanted to be referred to as ‘ma’am’ went viral last week, with most netizens slamming his bullying and lack of decorum.
Queen Jude Bacalso issued a public apology after the video showed him telling off a waiter, who was made to stand for close to two hours during the ordeal.
Bacalso, however, retracted his apology over social media after he was on the receiving end of a storm of angry comments, notably saying that his apology was no apology at all, as it still blamed the unnamed waiter for the perceived insult he received.
Bacalso said he was “too pretty” to be called sir, adding that waiters who had no common sense in recognizing it “should be fired from their job.”
Even the country’s LGBTQ+ community did not support Bacalso, who used to host a radio show and who contributes occasionally to Cebu’s print media.
One of his few defenders on social media said in a mix of English and Tagalog, “It’s common sense that when you see someone with long hair and has big breasts, you don’t call the person ‘sir.’”
In retracting his apology, Bacalso addressed his critics — most of whom continued to address him as “sir” – by saying “before you throw your hate my way, first look at what I have achieved in life.”
Bacalso claimed to be a leader of Cebu’s LGBTQ+ community and was a leading advocate of their cause to receive greater acceptance.
Since he identifies as female, Bacalso said he should never be addressed as “sir.”
He added that his haters were all one-sided in their personal attacks against his person.
“Stop calling me ‘sir,’ as we are not (that) close for you to make such a comment” on his social media site, Bacalso said.
When he first apologized shortly after the video went viral, Bacalso admitted that he could have handled the situation with more kindness.
Many of Bacalso’s haters point out the obvious, that he still has male genitals and does not menstruate or have a uterus.
In one of his recent posts, Bacalso said he had been “taking pills” for more than 10 years in order to look like a woman.
To this, a wisecracking netizen said the pills must have been expired, as they had no effect.
One netizen asked: “So your achievements gives you the right to humiliate others?”
Another said, “Whatever you have achieved in life, you are still not a woman.”
More insulting reactions referred to Bacalso as Shrek or a manatee or Porky Pig.
Yet another said, “For all your supposed achievements, all it took was a humble waiter to show the world your true nature.”
The worst comment may have been one that said, “Satan is in your heart.”
Retired bold star Rosanna Roces added her three cents’ worth, saying the dark truth was that Bacalso may want those around her to refer to her as a woman, “You just can’t accept the truth that you’re really an ugly man, fool!”
Several social media posts called for the Commission on Human Rights to take action against Bacalso, while others said he should face a Senate or House investigation.
Bacalso bills himself as a travel + food writer and photographer, while also being a scientist. He has 7,469 followers on his social media account.
