ON HIS being elected the new Queen Mother of the Dollhouse, Sean Galvez said that during his term, he will focus on “[promoting] gay awareness and converting homophobes.”
“The people’s knowledge of what and who gays are, [is] very shallow and limited, so I want to show and explain to everyone what being gay really is in these modern times,” Galvez said in mixed English and Filipino.
Galvez said he hopes to achieve this through his projects, some of which include ‘the Anti-Homophobe Action in Society (AHAS)’ and ‘Gay empowerment: Bakla ako pakialam mo’.
Two parties ran during the elections, Baklang Ang Layunin Unawain at Respetuhin (Balur) and Pilipinang Litaw Ang Tapang (Pilita).
Balur’s theme was patterned after Lady Gaga’s song, “Alejandro”, while Pilita’s theme was after the World Cup.
Dollhouse held its annual Miting de Avance and elections on July 23 at the Dollhouse arena, the benches behind the Old Library Annex.
Adapting to national occurrences
As with this year’s national elections, Dollhouse also conducted its first ever automated elections using the PCHOS machine. “The dollhouse adapts to what is happening outside…with the changes in our society and our country,” said Galvez.
Last year’s Dollhouse Queen Mother Patch Buenaventura said that the idea of PCHOS comes from their lingo ‘chos’ which means joke. Buenaventura, however, clarified that they do not take the automation as a joke; rather, chos’ use is a symbolism of how they take part in it.
According to elected Secretary-General (Sex-Gen) Third Fernandez, this year, Ateneo should also expect Dollhouse to be more involved socio-politically. “We will be voicing out our opinions on whatever issues that come…we may also do tie-ups with orgs and hopefully with the Sanggunian.”
Galvez said that Dollhouse members who are part and are officers of Ateneo organizations would aid them in this goal.
A decade of buzz
Buenaventura left a message for the newly elected Queen Mother. He said, “Continue what the past queen mothers have started; if not, surpass what we have done in making the dollhouse more known to others.”
Former Dollhouse member Janlee Dungca said that people can expect more buzz and excitement from the Dollhouse. “This year will be momentous for Dollhouse since this is our 10th year anniversary. I think there are plans to have a grand reunion, contact all the alumni, and even strengthen the [Dollhouse] Facebook account.”
Elected Vice Ganda Mico Suba confirmed this. “On August 6, the 10th year anniversary of Dollhouse will take place. Hopefully, past queen mothers will come back to Ateneo, [and] even the founder of Dollhouse would also be here. There will be a parade of the queens [in the Dollhouse arena], other famous alumni [will] also [be] invited like Rica Paras,” said Suba.
Living up to the Dollhouse name
Dungca said that he was pleased with the elections. “As always the election was fun, flamboyant, and fierce. The candidates really lived up to the Dollhouse name.”
Buenavetura said he was happy that the spark of Dollhouse has returned. “Before, there was a decline in the spark because of the influx of western gays. Now, the Filipino type of gays are returning, the ones who are ‘pa-girl’(girly).”
“The election was fun and very lively. I think these events really do well for Dollhouse. This is actually the first [time] I watched the dollhouse elections and the event was really okay,” said junior Walter Wong.
Aside from the mentioned, completing the Royal Court were Nene Bainto as the King Father and Josh Lao as the Finance Buddy (FBuddy).
