Sassa Gurl. Anna Cerezo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Whether Sassa Gurl is cracking up netizens on their phone screens with her hilarious viral reels or slaying on the TV screens with “Drag Den,” the social media personality seeks to actively use every platform to empower and better represent the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Thus, Sassa Gurl revealed she did not think twice when she was given the opportunity to extend her dedication in championing the community on the big screen of the 2024 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival with Kip Oebanda’s “Balota.” 

“Right away, I said yes. Sobrang happy ako sa role. Kakaiba sa napapanuod ko sa mainstream representation. Sabi ko kukunin ko to dahil ‘para ito sa mga nakshie ko!’,” she said in an interview after the press conference of Cinemalaya 20 in Manila City Wednesday afternoon. 

(Right away, I said yes. I am very happy with the role. It is different from what I have watched on mainstream. I said I will do it for my ‘nakshies.’) 

The influencer marks her Cinemalaya debut with her portrayal of a “baklang kanal” at a barangay precinct. 

LOOK: PUBG teams up with Sassa Gurl for Valentine's event  

“From my own experience and very personal for me. Baklang barangay, which is isa sa experience ko. Sa Amin,papansin, yan yung ume-eksena sa barangay. Political kami nakakakuha ng boto at nakaka-uto ng mga Boto,” she explained. 

(From my own experience and very personal for me. I am a Baklang barangay, which was a real experience for me before. In my experience, they steal the scene. They are the ones that can get votes.) 

The “Panaginip” singer emphasized that her role goes beyond just providing comic relief and delivering slapstick humor, which is often the case for gay characters in mainstream movies. 

“Direk Kip isa talaga sa sumusuporta sa community. Hindi niya ko pinabayaan sa role. Kadalasan mga bakla ay punchline or butt of the joke. Pero binigyan niya ng lalim, binigyan niya ng layers ang pagigigng baklang kanal,” Sassa Gurl explained. 

(Direk Kip is a supporter of the community. He guided me. Usually gay people in films are just the punchline or the butt of the joke. but he gave layers to the role of what a ‘baklang kanal’ is.) 

“Pag bakla ka di ka atake-atake lang. Hindi ka lang joke time, may lalim ka at meron kani kabuluhan. May say ka. May masasabi ka, at maiinfluence ka,” she added. 

(We are not just for jokes. We have depth, we have significance. We have a say, we can have influence.) 

The viral content creator joins Kapuso actress Marian Rivera in “Balota.” According to Sassa Gurl, working with the actress, who she looked up to growing up, was a “dream come true.” 

“Si Marian kinalakihan ko rin. Darna, Marimar, Dyesebel, fantasy talaga namin yan. Isa sa mga idol ko lumalake. Pag isang bakla ka, fantasy mo yan, feeling mo ikaw si Marian. Super thankful ako,” Sassa Gurl said. 

(I grew up idolizing Marian. Her roles: Darna, Marimar, Dyesebel, it was our fantasy. We wanted to be her.) 

LOOK: Awra, Mimiyuuuh, Sassa Gurl pose for fashion mag  

She also praised Rivera’s work ethic. 

“Never ko nakitaan ng bigat ka-trabaho. Napaka professional. Sobrang gaan. Lahat on set magaan katrabaho,” she said. 

Sassa Gurl is hopeful their entry “Balota” in  Cinemalaya, a platform celebrated for amplifying underrepresented voices, is going to be yet another step towards  ensuring the stories of LGBTQIA+ community are going to heard and valued moving forward— which she believes will consequently allow the members to be braver in embracing their true selves. 

“Marami tayong storya na mabibigay sa mainstream, indie, sa lahat ng platform. Marami tayong kulay at eksena. Alam ko isa lang ito sa umpisa. Maka-contribute ito sa mga bagay na pwedeng i-grow ng LGBT community,” Sassa Gurl said. 

“Ang mga bakla, pinagtatawanan, nilalait, ginagawang meme, nilalaro. Hindi raw pwedeng maging star? Kasi ang community namin madalas, mahirap, marginalized, maasik. Pero hindi ganon, dapt magpakatotoo ka lang. Inclusive na tayo ngayon. Yan gusto na din ng Gen Z. Lahat tayo may kwento, ipakita mo yan. Be authentic,” she added. 

Cinemalaya 20 will be shown in the theaters of Ayala Malls Manila Bay from August 2-11.