DANTON R. REMOTO: Modern Hero

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 21^st 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.