Meet the people who make the OUTRAGE happen.
MICHAEL DAVID DELA CRUZ TAN
The founder of Outrage Magazine, Michael David dela Cruz Tan is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) of the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. Though he grew up in Mindanao (particularly Kidapawan and Cotabato City in Maguindanao), even attending Roman Catholic schools there, he “really, really came out in Sydney,” he says, so that “I sort of know what it’s like to be gay in a developing and a developed world”. Mick can: photograph, do artworks with mixed media, write (DUH!), shoot flicks, community organize, facilitate, lecture, research (with pioneering studies under his belt)… this one’s a multi-tasker, who is even conversant in Filipino Sign Language (FSL). Among others, Mick received the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) in 2006 for Best Investigative Journalism. Cross his path is the dare (read: It won’t be boring!). Coordinate with him at editor@outragemag.com.
JOHN RYAN N. MENDOZA
A registered nurse, Rye hails from Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao (where, no, it isn’t always as “bloody”, as the mainstream media claims it to be, he noted). He first moved to Metro Manila in 2010 (supposedly just to finish a health social science degree), but fell in love not necessarily with the (err, smoggy) place, but it’s hustle and bustle. He now divides his time in Mindanao (where he still serves under-represented indigenous peoples), and elsewhere (Metro Manila included) to help push for equal rights for LGBT Filipinos. He helps manage the running of the mag (and he attends all the events needed to be covered, too). And, yes, he parties, too (See, activists need not be boring! – Ed). Chat him up at Rye.Mendoza@outragemag.com.
PATRICK KING PASCUAL
Living life a day at a time – and writing about it, is what Patrick King believes in. A media man, he does not only write (for print) and produces (for a credible show of a local giant network), but – on occasion – goes behind the camera for pride-worthy shots (hey, he helped make Bahaghari Center’s I dare to care about equality campaign happen!). He is the senior associate editor of the mag, covering anything and everything. Whoever said business and pleasure couldn’t mix (that is, partying and working) has yet to meet Patrick King, that’s for sure! Get in touch with him at Patrick.King.Pascual@outragemag.com.
SASS ROGANDO SASOT
Since 2001, as she was about to turn 19, Sass has dedicated herself to the LGBT Rights movement in the Philippines, most specifically to issues of gender identity and freedom of gender expression. James Green, an international transgender rights activist, served as her mentor via email. She started giving discussions on transgender rights and issues in Luneta Park in Manila. In December 2002, she co-founded the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP). In 2003 & 2004, together with Drs Sam Winter and Mark King of the University of Hong Kong, she did the first comprehensive study on transgender women in the Philippines. The study has been published in the International Journal of Transgenderism. In 2009, she was one of the LGBT activists invited to speak in a historic United Nations General Assembly side-event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. A nomadic spirit, Sass loves to write, walk, read, cycle, and cook. Together with the love of her life, Sass is currently based in The Hague, The Netherlands, finishing her degree in Global Justice and International Development (minor in World Politics) at the international honours college of Leiden University. She is the resident expert on transgender issues of the mag. Stay connected with her at Sass.Rogando.Sasot@outragemag.com.
ANGIE UMBAC
Angie – a Bachelor of Laws graduate of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City (1998), and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (cum laude) of Silliman University, Dumaguete City (1992) – has been making the LGBT advocacy rounds (so to speak) for quite some time now. She served in various capacities in government and non-government organizations. She admits to having a knack for legal and legislative advocacy, which is her primary passion. What you may not know about Angie: She prefers to work in the background, likening it to being a specialist quietly finding cures in labs, and leaving the glam to high-profile surgeons and ER doctors. Angie is the president of the Rainbow Rights Project Inc. (R-Rights). Angie is a contributing writer on – yes! – everything LGBT-related. Email her at Angie.Umbac@outragemag.com.
RICHARD MICKLEY
Rev. Richard R. Mickley, CDOS, OSAe, Ph.D. first came to the Philippines in the 1990s – in fact, he celebrated the first Pride Mass on June 26, 1991 at the high altar of the Cathedral of the Holy Child, with 50 people in attendance. In 1995, he retired from Metropolitan Community Church (which he established locally) because of church age rules. But his advocacy didn’t stop, as he set up the Order of St. Aelred to carry on sex positive ministry in the battle against moral slavery and for human rights, for freedom of conscience, and for responsible religious freedom. He is currently a Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of One Spirit, Philippines; and the Abbot of The Order of St. Aelred and St. Aelred Friendship Society. He co-founded The Well, an LGBT wellness center. His snail mail is: 33-A Sta. Maria Street, Barrio Kapitolyo, 1603 Pasig City, Metro Manila. He may be reached at: (+63) 9209034909; or email: saintaelred@gmail.com.
JOJO SESCON
Fondly called Jojo, Jose Narciso Melchor Sescon is a medical doctor with specialization in obstetrics and gynecology. Spending much of his time in public health services with focus on HIV and AIDS, STI, and sexual and reproductive health, Jojo wears multiple hats, blending public health advocacy and clinical-cum-administrative work. For 12 years, he served as the Executive Director of Remedios AIDS Foundation, the pioneering AIDS service organization in the Philippines. Then in 2008, he assumed the presidency of the AIDS Society of the Philippines, which he still heads now. Jojo is also the current Chief of Clinics of Sta. Ana Hospital, and has held regional and local consultancy works for development agencies. Jojo is a self-confessed lacto-vegetarian, a raja yoga meditation practitioner, and a health/wellness buff. He also loves to share his thoughts and reflections based on learned skills/competencies and experiences. This soft-spoken soul loves taking on new initiatives/roles, and loves to talk with people about spirituality and good health.
AARON BONETTE
Aaron Bonette is a batang beki – a “cisgender gay man, if you will”, he says. He established EU Bahaghari in Enverga University in Lucena, where he was one of the leaders to mainstream discussions of LGBT issues particularly among the youth. He is currently helping out LGBT community organizing, believing that it is when we work together that we are strongest (“Call me idealistic, I don’t care!” he says). He writes for Outrage Magazine to provide the youth perspective – meaning, he tries to be serious even as he tries to “party, party, party”, befitting his newbie status. Stay in touch with him via Aaron.Bonette@outragemag.com.
