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Especially in the Filipino queer community, that connection means everything.
So don’t just add a rainbow filter this Pride Month—live it. Thus, a beki dictionary was born.
"We want the readers to learn that this language exists and must be accepted. Share yours at PINOYBUILT.com. (playful version of ano)
Share the lingo, laugh at the sass, and celebrate the resilience behind every bongga phrase and slay moments. Have you ever heard of Gay Lingo before? Request a custom video from me on CAMEO: https://bit.ly/4le6GYD FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ►FB: https://bit.ly/3IgqLyV (I post daily videos there too) ►Instagram Stories: https://bit.ly/3Igo7t9 ►Tik Tok @DrewBinsky WHO AM I?
My name is Drew Binsky and I am going to all 197 countries in the world. But beneath the sparkle is a more profound truth: the fight for safety and equality isn’t over.
Whether LGBTQIA+ or an ally, using these words is a simple but powerful way to show respect, joy, and solidarity. In my opinion, gay lingo is one of the most uplifting and admirable things about modern Filipino culture, and as someone who can speak Spanish and understand basic Tagalog, it's a very unique blend to my ears.
Understanding these expressions can help learners connect more deeply with Filipino speakers, appreciate humor and creativity in the language, and stay attuned to contemporary slang and references.
Given its rapid evolution, the best way to stay updated is to immerse yourself in Filipino media, especially content created by or for the LGBTQ+ community.
Follow him on IG @znackefronn
► SUBSCRIBE for daily travel videos: http://bit.ly/2hyQnZ1 ► INSTAGRAM for more! Lady S, one of the authors of the book, believed that "Beki Language" plays a vital role in developing the Filipino language and the country's history.
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References:
Ronnie is a portrait and editorial photographer, a coffee and sushi-lover, a dog-dad, a fitness enthusiast, an interior design hobbyist, and a budding theater actor. Now, as a father of three, I’m doing my best to pass on our Filipino heritage.
Influence of Pop Culture and Media
Filipino gay lingo is heavily influenced by pop culture, celebrity names, TV shows, viral videos, and current events. We consulted different dictionaries, verified facts and definitions, and interviews with the right group of people—from linguistics to scholars to students, to the old and new version of Bekis."
Through this, they decided on what to include or not in the over 2,000-word list, not to mention their judgment as certified "beks by heart."
Believing that gay lingo is beautiful, funny, daring, expressive, and mostly makes everyone happy, Eugenio and their team were amazed at how the public received the book, including their straight allies.
"Somehow, this book represents and recognizes the community and the language that has evolved from it," Eugenio shared with L!fe.
The book also features scholarly talks on the study of slang and homosexual language, a comprehensive lexicon, vibrant pictures, and the origin of each phrase, as well as usage notes and sample sentences.
In addition to commonly-used slang, the dictionary also includes definitions of counter language—a dialectical form created in opposition to more formal or "official" languages—providing information about LGBT+ customs and culture, collectively contributed by author and Palanca awardee Christopher Dela Cruz, veteran columnist of Philippine Online Chronicles Lady S, language expert Ojo Gonzales, and drag queen Randiva Datinguinoo.
Although the book has a disclaimer for its use of explicit and sexual language that may offend some readers, Eugenio said, "It's 2024, and representation matters, and it gladdens our hearts to see the overwhelming excitement around this title."
Philippine Slang and Gay Dictionary is available for P610 on the Vibal online shop.
I'm a 1.5 generation immigrant—Filipino-born, U.S.-raised—sharing stories that bridge cultures. Pride has taken root in Cebu, Baguio, Davao, and beyond, proving that solidarity knows no region.
So whether you’re marching, learning, speaking up, or simply listening, pride isn’t just about who you are.
This relentless inventiveness drives a continuous stream of new vocabulary.
A Google search online might not provide a proper translation of such phrases but a new dictionary may just define any Pinoy beki slang you hear and see.
In case you missed it, Vibal Foundation launched the Philippine Slang and Gay Dictionary on Jan.
12 to explore the "endlessly inventive counter language of Filipino gay and street communities," offering a comprehensive introduction to the vibrant, influential, and historically significant terms still in use today.
Speaking to PhilSTAR L!fe, Sally Eugenio a.k.a.