Gian Parel ’15

January 2014

Bakla Youth and Economics

This January Gian Parel ’15, a double major in neuroscience and economics, traveled to Manila, the capital of the Philippines. While there, he learned about existing labor patterns and the movement toward economic empowerment of bakla youth (rough western equivalent of bakla: gay male). He explored Filipino concepts of male queerness (rough translation: kabaklaan) in the context of the Philippines’ postcolonial and neoliberal history. Gian’s experiences helped to inform his participation in the Filipin@ American Students Association and scholar-activist aspirations.