I was introduced to Danton Remoto
through his works which had been a staple along my shelves of Chemistry
textbooks. Last saw him on primetime news all smiles welcoming Ricky Martin to
the club, a frequent visitor of his blog and now one of his thousands Facebook
friends.
Neither brethren nor acquaintance, I
had no reason to campaign this man but the respect he attached to his name
deserves a recognition. Raised from a
conservative and catholic family, Danton was told never to carry his books
close to his chest. Books must be held horizontally against ones thighs. He
must never walk with fluid movements; the spine should be straight, the chest
held out, and the face a hard mask against the world. Despite sense of
difference and struggle to conform to norms, Danton did well in school and was
in track in field team and ran like a gazelle.
Described like Apolinario Mabini as
“sublime paralytic”, Danton looks physically weak but his intellectual ability
is divine. His talents in literature and scriptwriting was recognized by
prestige Palanca, National Commission on Culture and the Arts, Philippines Free
Press and even impressed international Procyon and Sterling Awards. Currently
as acting chairman of “Ang Ladlad”, the national organization of lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender Filipinos that was labeled “abnormal” and “immoral” by
the Second Division of the Commission on Election. Out of sentimental issues he
defended condemnation and discrimination against homosexual of the 21st
century. Like modern Jose Rizal he fought equipped with his broad education and
use of pen to erase friars’ notion on homosexuals during Spanish colony as mental
illness. If situation calls, Danton reveals his possible bloodline with Andres
Bonifacio. His petite frame transforms into fearless tigress on demonstration
clawing megaphone on right hand and placard on left. His civic-mindedness
reminds me of Tandang Sora of how he catered to wounded souls victimized by all
sorts of abuses. He is every where and does anything, lecturer with the rank of
Associate Professor of English, writer, editor, member of Manila Critics
Circle, Fulbright Alumni Association, and the Philippine Literacy Arts Council,
Had been scholar for various international foundation, established a name with
the Office of Media Affairs, Batasang Pambansa (Interim National Assembly), the
Senate and the United Nations Development Programme which counts Danton Remoto
as Superman! Typically clad in jeans, polo and reading glasses that depict
simplicity, I guess Danto prefers to be labeled as ordinary human less the
publicity.
I’m far writer compared
to Mr. Danton but with pride I dedicate this piece to a MAN who best defined as
Icon and unsung hero. Your pen had reached to thousands that made betterment of
their lives, you inspired us to pursue education as this will lead us afar, patriotism
can be exhibited in many ways, encouraged to voice out what is right and
RESPECT is something you earn. You stood and represented a community of
gazelles that now freely ran in this track in field of life.
