Walk around the bustling Manila streets and you’ll likely pass by gays after gays circled in a corner, swanking their big smiles and loud high-fives, probably talking in a language you can’t seem to grasp. Now, before you raise that eyebrow and shoot them an I’m-weirded-out look, I think it’s time you realize that gay lingo (yes, that beautiful language) is constantly growing as you read this—and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.
While unknown to many, beki/gay lingo (aka gayspeak or sward speak) is a byproduct of our patriarchal society. Only through this language gays are able to find safety and belongingness that isn’t mired by discrimination of those outside their community.
Now here’s a quick throwback: when beki lingo started earning its popularity, the media was there to intensify it.
Show business has provided a great acceptance to the language. Local actors and actresses—straights or homosexuals—used (and still use) it casually on screen.
As if the beki community owes the media, gays put the spotlight to celebrities and public figures in return.
Presenting 16 of many icons that made it into beki lingo:
16 Icons that Made It into Beki Lingo
16. Gardo Versoza
Meaning: haggard
Example: “Hagardo Versoza na akez! Nagcommute ba naman ako papuntang Rizal!”
Photo from GMA News
15. Chaka Khan
Meaning: ugly
Example: “Tignan mo ‘yung girlfriend niya ang Chaka Khan!”
Photo from Radio Times
14. Michael Jackson (John Michael Jackson)
Meaning: a person who only shows up when s/he needs something from you (a play on a famous Filipino phrase “andyan lang ‘pag may kailangan”)
Example: “Alam mo ba yung kaibigan ko, John Michael Jackson lang ‘pag brokenhearted siya.”
13. Manilyn Reynes
Meaning: money
Example: “Wow nanlibre si bakla! Ang daming Manilyn Reynes!”
Photo from Showbiz Portal
12. Chanda Romero
Meaning: tummy (tiyan)
Example: “Kain ka nang kain; obvious na ‘yang Chanda Romero mo!”
11. Lucrecia Kasilag
Meaning: crazy or to go crazy (loka-loka/naloka)
Example: “Grabe yung traffic kanina! Na-Lucrecia Kasilag sa sobrang init!”
Photo from NCCA
10. Luz Valdez
Meaning: to lose
Example: “Uy, balita ko si Manny Pacquiao na-Luz Valdez kay Horn.”
Photo from GMA News
9. Janno Gibbs
Meaning: to give
Example: “I-Janno Gibbs mo na yang kendi mo sa bata.”
Photo from Philippine Star
8. Alicia Mayer
Meaning: to leave or to go (alis)
Example: “Hala anong oras na! Alicia Mayer na akez baka ma-late pa ako!”
Photo from PEP
7. Diether Ocampo
Meaning: bitter; someone having hatred or dislike on someone usually caused by an unfair treatment
Example: “Alam mo ba yung first runner up sa Miss Gay kahapon, Bitter Ocampo sa nanalo!”
Photo from Philippine Star
6. Eva Kalaw
Meaning: poop (a play on the word “ebak” which means poop in street language)
Example: “Sobrang dami kong kinain kanina, nae-Eva Kalaw na akez!”
Photo from Philippine Star
5. Ces Drilon
Meaning: stressed out
Example: “Ang daming revisions sa thesis namin, Stress Drilon na ako nang bongga!”
4. Kuya Germs
Meaning: dirty (a play on “germs”)
Example: Lumuson ako sa baha, ang Kuya Germs pa naman. Kadiri!
Photo from Philippine Star
3. Jolina Magdangal
Meaning: to get caught (mahuli)
Example: “Bilisan mo na magbihis! Baka ma-Jolina Magdangal tayo!”
Photo from Philippine Star
2. Purita Kalaw Ledesma
Meaning: poor
Example: “Di ko keri magshopping. Purita Kalaw Ledesma ang lola niyo ngayon, walang panggastos.”
Photo from Art Plus PH
1. Tom Jones
Meaning: hungry (a play on a famous Filipino street word “tomguts”)
Example: “Kain na tayo, Tom Jones na ako!”
Photo from Wallsdesk
Did we miss out on anything?
