Statement from the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network:

CUT THE AD, OR WE'LL CUT OUR LINES

Joey calls Billy. Joey tells Billy that rumors about Gracia, Billy's fiancée, have started going around as soon as they left their hometown. Joey informs Billy about one rumor that links Gracia to a Senator, and that some stories have even landed in the papers. Billy asks who could possibly be spreading the gossips. Joey says he doesn't have a clue, but the look in his face shows that he is feigning innocence.
Joey is a character in PLDT's popular "Hello, Billy" TV ad series. He is Billy's buddy, who feels too bad that Billy is about to get married. In this quaint ad series, where everyone else fits into the everyday Filipino  the doting mother, the adorable son working overseas, the mestiza soon-to-be daughter-in-law  Joey is the villain. Joey is gay, and he is scheming. Joey will do everything to have his Billy, and will even spread lies to tear apart the perfect match.
We do not know if putting Joey as a gay character is PLDT's own way of reaching out to a target market, or its attempt at humor. Either way, they have failed miserably. We, members of the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB), a network of several lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered organizations and individuals, believe that the ad is neither flattering nor funny.
That Joey is conceptualized as gay and scheming does not come to us as an incidental choice on the part of PLDT. Joey is a conscious creation, and his attributes his homosexuality and his villainous disposition are not presented as characteristics exclusive of each other. In fact, the message of the ad (which, incidentally, is not about PLDT's [in]competence, but that is a different story) is clear: Joey's misplaced affection towards Billy is the main motive behind his devious deeds.
PLDT surely needs to learn a thing or two about truth in advertising. And more importantly, about sensitivity.
By stereotyping Filipino gay men as people who would do everything to get into the pants of others, PLDT has given itself the credibility of a half-witted noontime show. There are definitely more than enough reasons why PLDT should avoid promoting flawed stereotypes of homosexuals, and one of them is that these misconceptions contribute to the discrimination of homosexuals.
The statements made by PLDT VP Butch Meilly that "the 'Billy' ads are meant to be humorous," and that "the ads themselves contain no direct reference to anyone's sexual orientation," display a glaring insensitivity to the plight and sensibilities and, needless to say, intelligence of gay people. This lack of sensitivity and understanding to the roots of long-standing prejudices against homosexuals trivializes our lives as homosexuals, and therefore furthers our exposure to ridicule and abuse. Priests who have condemned homosexuals for immorality, parents who have taught their children that homosexuality is evil, comedians who believe that slapping homosexuals is funny, and yes, advertisements that portray homosexuals negatively  they all have a role to play why some homosexuals lose their job, get unfair treatment from restaurants or hospitals, or even get killed. All because of their sexual orientation.
There are of course other reasons why such advertisements must be avoided. In this age of target marketing, portraying Joey in such manner is bad taste and a reckless decision. It will not only repel potential gay subscribers, it will even ward off existing homosexual subscribers.
That Meilly still believes that the ads are humorous and that he can still make a long-pitch attempt to deny Joey's sexual orientation really show that PLDT does not consider homosexuals seriously. We therefore encourage other homosexual organizations, human rights groups, and the progressive community to continue their protests until PLDT recognizes their mistake. We in LAGABLAB strongly believe that PLDT must pull out the ad immediately, and offer a public apology.
Otherwise, we will have our lines cut.
LAGALAB, or the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network, is a network of several lesbian and gay activist organizations and several individuals. Its members include Lesbian Advocates of the Philippines (LEAP), The Library Foundation (TLF), UP Babaylan, Womyn Supporting Womyn Centre, Indigo Philippines, Society of United Lesbians, Order of St. Aelred, Metropolitan Community Church, Katlo, Kristong Hari Growth Ministries, and UP Sappho.

For inquiries, please contact the following persons: Jonas Bagas  (0919-4313564 or 9218049); Che Celi (0910-7589609); Ging Cristobal (0919-8290011)