Hometown transgender made good
This hometown girl who started as a hometown boy has indeed come a long way. And Echague, Isabela, where she grew up and acquired his elementary and high school education, can only be proud of her
Breaking the glass ceiling was what transgender actress Iyah Mina achieved for the LGTB community when she received the Best Actress prize in the 2018 Cinema One Original Awards for her portrayal of an aging transgender sex worker in the movie, “Mamu: And a Mother Too.” Eyebrows from certain corners of the showbiz world were, however, raised when, for the same performance, she was named Best Actor by the Guild of Educators, Mentors and Students. Iyah ended up receiving both, grateful that her performance got the critics’ nod.
Notwithstanding the controversy as to how her gender should be identified, Iyah has continuously moved forward in her career, getting even busier with commitments in the movies, on television and on stage, the last as a stand-up comedian.
This hometown girl who started as a hometown boy has indeed come a long way. And Echague, Isabela, where she grew up and acquired his elementary and high school education, can only be proud of her. Her father with whom she had a conflict over her choice of gender even cried when she won her best actress award. This time, he is proud of his daughter, and no more would he think that she would bring shame to the family. Recently, Iyah guested in Daily
Tribune’s online show, Spotlight, where Jojo Silvestre and Kat Llemit, co-hosts, asked her questions on her past as a boy, her gradual rise to fame and success, and how she is coping with the travails brought about by the pandemic. Daily Tribune (DT): What was your last gig before the first quarantine took effect?
Iyah Mina (IM): We were taping. We had just finished My Single Lady for iWant. And it was shown already. Then, the quarantine was enforced.
DT: I suppose that means no gigs for you now.
IM: The comedy bars have all been closed. Live entertainment is not allowed and there are no mass gatherings.
DT: Just curious, have you also received a cash aid or any assistance?
IM: Well, before the quarantine started, representatives of some government agencies approached us. I filled out a form because that would go a long way to augment my budget. But my application was denied. They reasoned out that I am in showbiz and I am earning well. I retorted that I am also a taxpayer. But lately, I think the senate is working on a bill for performers and the workers behind the camera. So, I am hoping, although just a few days ago, I was interviewed on TV Patrol and I told them frankly that I had yet to wait for the bill to become a law. It seems that some barangay officials saw me on television so they sent someone to our home and they gave me some papers to fill out.
DT: You and I are townsmen. Did you grow up in Echague, Isabela?
IM: I was born there and grew up there. I was there up to first year college. I was about 16 or 17 years old. Then, I moved to Manila and studied at the Lourdes College in Valenzuela City.
DT: So, is it true you once had a girlfriend?
IM: Yes, that was just to spite a guy who had a crush on the girl. But the guy was my crush, so we both courted the girl, and she chose me over him.
DT: We are so interested in you because you’re a hometown girl made good in the city. Your success story does not happen every day.
IM: I came to Manila for my college studies. So, I stayed with relatives. Of course, I helped around the house, which is how things are in this country.
All the while, as one copes with the reality of one’s life, one’s talent surfaces. And that’s how it was with me. I would joke around in the classroom. I would join extracurricular activities and I would end up making everyone laugh. I would go to school in my proper outfit, a man’s uniform, but before I entered the school premises, I would pass by a parlor where I would change into a woman’s attire or something that was more feminine. Until one of the beauticians asked me if I wanted to go to Japan and I said yes. I thought about my family and the hardship they were going through. I realized I could be of help.
DT: When did you come out? When did they find out that you were cross-dressing already?
IM: For a year I was practicing in a studio. It was a requirement to learn to perform professionally and that took a year. Before I left for Japan, I went home to Isabela. I arrived in a woman’s clothing. Everyone was shocked when they saw me.
DT: Was there any confrontation at home?
IM: I was with my sister Julie when I went home. It was to her that I first outed. “This is who I am,” I told her. “I am happy this way.” So, we went home together and I told our parents that I wanted to go to Japan. We were having lunch and I just blurted out my plans. My father was, of course, upset because I told them that I had no plans of finishing college anymore. And I was firm. I said, “Trust me, I am not going to do anything that would put you to shame. I will be a respectable member of the LGBT community. I won’t do drugs and I will focus on my aspirations in life. So, I am asking you to support me.” They did not accept me easily. It required a process. Until I left for Japan and then returned to the Philippines. By then they had accepted me because I was able to help our family. I made them realize that I was working for the good of our family. That I had a noble purpose and
I had to transform to succeed.
DT: How did you get your screen name?
IM: My father’s name is Armando Mina. When I was getting ready to audition for the first time with a comedy bar, I saw a picture of Iya Villana in a magazine. I was truly impressed by her beauty. So, when they asked me during the audition what my name was, I said “Iya,” but I added an ‘h’ at the end. So I became Iyah. I went to Japan three times. This was from 2003 to 2005. I started as a stand-up comedian in small comedy bars in Japan. It was a fun experience. Japan is one country I would love to keep going back to because of the food, the climate and the way the people treat you. No discrimination.
DT: Why did you come back to the Philippines?
IM: I happened to be here in the Philippines when the government became strict. It became difficult to go back there. I returned to performing in comedy bars in Metro Manila. But I felt that nothing was happening in my career. So, I looked for opportunities outside of
Metro Manila. I ended up doing out of town performances. First was in Ilocos, and then I moved to Baguio. Then, I got heartbroken so I returned to Manila. I began performing in small but popular bars in Quezon City. My dream was to perform in Laffline and Punchline. I finally made it to Jeff’s Café until I was invited to act as an extra on Channel 5. Eventually, I was invited to perform in Laffline and Punchline. Until I began guesting at ABS-CBN with Vice (Ganda). There was no turning back from there.
DT: So, how did you feel when you won as Best Actress?
IM: To me, that was a bonus already. We fought for the Best Actress nomination and when we got it, we already felt victorious. But getting the award itself was really a big gift from above. We were so thankful. The LGBT community was elated.
DT: What did your parents say?
IM: Super proud. When they saw the movie, they kept crying. My father, too, cried when he found out that I won the Best Actress award.
DT: So what’s keeping you busy now?
IM: I have just finished making a vlog. I am so happy it is now monetized. So, I upload something new every day. Something funny or something inspirational especially for those who belong to the LGBT community, many of whom lost their jobs because of the pandemic. I am encouraging them to engage in business while they could not return to their jobs or professions yet. In my case, I have been reselling quarter pounder burger patties. Even if I am just seated here waiting for whatever may happen next, I want to be useful. I also want to earn so I will have financial resources for our daily needs.
DT: So, how do you feel now? This is Pride Month.
IM: Very happy. I don’t know how long this discrimination against the LGBT will keep going, but I am happy because people gradually are beginning to have an understanding of who we are and what we can do for society.
I thought about my family and the hardship they were going through. I realized I could be of help.