A group of gay beauticians juggling as freelance choreographers or entertainers in EB Magalona town, Negros Occidental, have been given a new “window of opportunity” amid the economic crunch.
Mayor Marvin Malacon gave the 75-strong EB Magalona Beauticians Association (EBMBA) a chance to re-open and operate their own Isla Madalag Eco-Haven, a municipal government-run seafood restaurant in the midst of a lush mangrove plantation along the Madalag River in Barangay Madalag, some five kilometers away from the town’s poblacion.
Opened in June 2022, Isla Madalag Eco-Haven has been among the top destinations in EB Magalona for family week-end bonding, and a favorite site for nature and seafood lovers as well, a press release from the municipal government said.
But due to some unavoidable circumstances the EB Magalona floating restaurant next to the famous Magrove Eco-Trail in Barangay Tomongtong was temporarily closed last year.
Malacon, however, revived Isla Madalag Eco-Haven with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-registered EBMBA as the new operator.
“We gave P300,000 as their startup capital to run the restaurant on Saturdays and Sundays only. It’s up to them how to manage and have gains later to support their members amid challenging times now,” Malacon said.
EBMBA that is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. resumed operations August 3 and 4.
It offers “unli sugba” (unlimited grilling) of pork, chicken and beef with unlimited rice for P200 per customer, said Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Jojo Vargas, who is also acting as the group’s adviser.
Seafood like crabs, oysters (talaba), shrimps, among others are still available, but not included in the unli “sugba” promo, Vargas said.
Another come-on is the gay entertainment every 2 p.m., Vargas said.
It enlivens the dining atmosphere at the now-pink-dominated mangrove-enveloped restaurant, said John Carl Castigador, EBMBA president.
Malacon stressed “this new window of opportunity given to the members of Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) members belonging to EBMBA has the essence of respect to their existence in the town’s community”.
“This is also part of our commitment to valuing inclusivity in EB Magalona,” Malacon added.
Vargas said “this is the first time that a mayor has shown all-out support to the LGBTQ group in the town”.*