Exploring possible interpretations of Queer Community, we can employ and implement equality

and non-discriminations of human rights. From the short story of  Roehl Dazo’s “Binignit” that 

was presented on Unang Ganti, Palanca 2019 it emphasizes being part of queer community.

Underpinned by what I’ve read from the 1st prize in the Regional Division Cebuano short story,

Binignit, I found it interesting to read that it offered a wider playground for the lgbtq to live

equally. Consequently, the report focuses on imparting rigorously anatomy  on Roehl Dazo’s

short story, Binignit through the use of the Queer criticsm. In its storyline, it seeks the presence

of the personality types of the characters, the setting, and other apalogue of the narrative text in

order to use up a vivid discussion on the manifestation of truth in the story’s topic. 

In John’s story being involved in Lgbt community, He gives credit to equal treatment among

people.. He believes that many people support them and is motivated by his best friend by saying

“ “Day, kon magbinayot man lang gani ka, paundayoni na lang. Atimana ang awra! Angayng di

kini mawagtangan og siga. Let your true colors shine through your skin.” Sama man daw ni sa

panultihon nga kon mabasa kas uwan, kaligo na lang. (Binignit, Article III) 

According to what John experienced, it contained so called “homophobia” being judged by the

netizens how they dress and awra. 

Roehl’s Binignit is the first placer for the 69th Palanca Awards for literature, under the category

of Regional Short story. It is a story with nonlinear plot showcasing the life of John being a gay.

John's favorite is Binignit, which is why his mother prepared for him. 

John decided to go back to their  hometown to celebrate the Holy Week with his Family

considering it's been four years since he saw them and visited.  He always comes home when it's
Christmas time but he wasn't able to go home in those years so this time he wanted to join the

celebration of Holy Week. He was transported through a bus. By entering the bus the condutor

welcomed him with a big smile and he can’t deny despising him because of his look. Lol. He sat

down near the window and a handsome boy who looked like Jesus sat beside Him. The bus starts

the engine even though the bus is not full already. While the bus ran, He started daydreaming

about how His mother would greet him when he arrived at home. 

He cannot understand why he feels nervous going back home. Flashbacking to those days when

he was still a kid  he stayed at their home reading pocket books and brochures of his mother that

had models of  man that only wore under garments and kept it to himself rather than playing

basketball and any other various activities outside their house with other kids. The bus suddenly

stops knowing He arrived already to their province, straight away texted his mother. .  His

mother replied that she’s still in the market buying ingredients for the Binignit. He waited his

mother in the wooden bench while thinking to the past and why is their house never changed a

bit nice knowing he is gay commonly known as creative and bonggageras. His mother arrived

loaded with plastics full of groceries and ingredients. After Which they entered their house and

asked him to prepare all the ingredients on the table and cut them because we will be cooking

your favorite dish “Binignit”. He went shower after cutting the ingredients needed. All of a

sudden her mother followed him and cut His long hair that made Him shocked and made really

disappointed in what she did. Moreover, His mother helped him shower just what they did when

he was still a kid. That is very emotional.His mother told him after taking the bath, go straight to

the kitchen because your favorite is already cooked and served. He was really amazed by the

color because in the past the color was violet and now is pink but always has a good taste. All at

once, His mother complimented his new look that is much better than the other one and what's
more made him shocked that she asked if he has a boyfriend that he doubts to answer because he

is not ready to open up. 

The story of Binignit in Bisaya who’s the writer is Roehl Joseph Dazo is genuinely a great

masterpiece especially to the lgbtq community that the aim of this is to  motivate and inspire

them to show their true self not being shy and afraid to be faced. At first we do not have the guts

to show them because we think we are different from them but no matter what happens, always

be yourself because our loved ones were always by our side, especially our mother. Our main

focus was achieved when his mother accepted Him wholeheartedly even though it hurts. The

story was very interesting and I can say it is truly based on realism that made a lot of people

read. Also, it is fun to read about how he narrates the story. To be honest, I thought it talks all

about Binignit but as I read deeper it also talks about queer criticism that made a killing end

message.

 As Benignit is a delicacy served during Holy week, It also reminds us to have a reconciliation of

ourselves to the truth that we hide in our life. Like Benignit, its sweetness and aroma sticks to

our sense of taste but the best way to savor it, is to eat it together with the people we love and

consider a family.  Once we have acknowledged the truth, it is better to share this truth rather

than obstruct the truth to be revealed. If this happens, it makes you taste the sweetness of life and

help you achieve self affirmation..This is happiness, LGBTQ deserves it like everyone else in

this world.    

In conclusion of this story, inequality, discrimination and homophobia was being obtain in the

story that we cannot prevent that there will always be. Society makes a big deal about this that
they make people down precisely the lgbtq community rather than supporting and motivating

them. Where we can see some situations that they are not being respected in the society that

makes them threat inequality. Example of this in the article, when He entered in the bus then the

conductor looked at His boobs “Padded bra” and gave a big smile but in another sense of

meaning. Overall in the story, we should treat all people fairly, especially those people who are

part of lgbt family. We need to accept them unconditionally because we are all human beings

that have dignity and freely live what our hearts meant for.

Reference: 

“1st prize in Regional Division Cebuano” 

 Short Story “Binignit” 

http://www.palancaawards.com.ph/ 

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-and-culture/244479-full-list-winners-palanca-awards-2019