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Kalahating Bahaghari
Mommy, may ipagtatapat ako, sabi ni Joshua sa ina. Ano, na gusto mong maging writer? Oho. Pero hindi 'yun. I think I'm gay.
O e ano naman ngayon? Gay ang Lolo Jim at Lolo Dale mo, trans ang Auntie Erich mo, queer ako, at ngayon ay gay ka, nagunaw ba ang mundo?
O e ano naman ngayon? Gay ang Lolo Jim at Lolo Dale mo, trans ang Auntie Erich mo, queer ako, at ngayon ay gay ka, nagunaw ba ang mundo?
361 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2024
57 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
About the author
Ricky Lee
48 books655 followersFilipino screenwriter, journalist, novelist, and playwright.
He has written more than 150 film screenplays since 1973, earning him more than 50 trophies from various award-giving bodies, including a 2003 Natatanging Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics). As a screenwriter, he has worked with many Filipino film directors, most notably with Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal. Many of his films have been screened in the international film festival circuit in Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, among others.
He has written more than 150 film screenplays since 1973, earning him more than 50 trophies from various award-giving bodies, including a 2003 Natatanging Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics). As a screenwriter, he has worked with many Filipino film directors, most notably with Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal. Many of his films have been screened in the international film festival circuit in Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
September 18, 2024
Kung ang una niyang nobelang Para Kay B ay love letter ni Ricky Lee para sa mga manunulat, itong ika-lima niyang nobela ay walang pangingimi niyang iniaalay para sa mga bakla't mga tomboy, mga trans at mga bisexual, mga queer at non-binary at gender-fluid at lahat tayong nakasilong sa iisang malaking bahaghari.
May kasaysayan sa nobelang ito: mabigat at marahas na kasaysayan. Kasaysayan ng pakikibaka para sa karapatang pang-LGBTQIA+ na lagi't lagi ay kakabit ng pakikibaka para sa karapatang pantao, ng pag-aaklas laban sa mapang-abusong sistemang gumugupo sa lahat, bakla man o hindi.
May ligaya sa nobelang ito: ligayang binayaran ng dugo ng mga nauna sa atin.
May kalayaan sa nobelang ito.
May kasaysayan sa nobelang ito: mabigat at marahas na kasaysayan. Kasaysayan ng pakikibaka para sa karapatang pang-LGBTQIA+ na lagi't lagi ay kakabit ng pakikibaka para sa karapatang pantao, ng pag-aaklas laban sa mapang-abusong sistemang gumugupo sa lahat, bakla man o hindi.
May ligaya sa nobelang ito: ligayang binayaran ng dugo ng mga nauna sa atin.
May kalayaan sa nobelang ito.
February 13, 2026
By the paragraph before the last, I could hold my tears back no longer. It was as if I was surrounded by all who came before me—people who could not live their lives out in the open, people who have died not knowing love and acceptance, people who bore the brunt of every injustice imaginable—all of them looking back at me like a mirror. This is what it used to be like, they say. And they beckon, now this is what you have to do.
By the final paragraph, Ricky Lee's poetry engulfed my soul, every word of that final sentence searing themselves into my memory. We are here, we are queer, and we will die no longer. We will tolerate no more. We will be unapologetically whole.
You could not have asked for a better tribute and love letter to the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community. One that acknowledges our history, with all its pains and triumphs. One that sings with truth and heart and soul. One that says with fervent solemnity, I see you and I am so damn proud of you.
This is not a perfect book by any means, but it is an undeniable masterpiece. Read it, queer child, and know that there is hope. Read it, straight ally, and understand our truths. Read it, misinformed bigot, and learn the anatomy of an apology. Read it, dear friend, that your eyes may see the beauty of Pride flags anew.
By the final paragraph, Ricky Lee's poetry engulfed my soul, every word of that final sentence searing themselves into my memory. We are here, we are queer, and we will die no longer. We will tolerate no more. We will be unapologetically whole.
You could not have asked for a better tribute and love letter to the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community. One that acknowledges our history, with all its pains and triumphs. One that sings with truth and heart and soul. One that says with fervent solemnity, I see you and I am so damn proud of you.
This is not a perfect book by any means, but it is an undeniable masterpiece. Read it, queer child, and know that there is hope. Read it, straight ally, and understand our truths. Read it, misinformed bigot, and learn the anatomy of an apology. Read it, dear friend, that your eyes may see the beauty of Pride flags anew.
March 2, 2025
This is my second book on this author and I can say that there is something different in this novel.
Halos ilang araw na simula ng natapos ko ang akdang ito at ang naisusulat ko lang sa aking rebyu ay NAPAKANDA NYA at punong-puno ng kulay at buhay. Sa unang chapter pa lang ng nobelang ito ay gugulatin ka na ng author. Ipapadama nya agad sa'yo ang danas ng isang queer character. Napaka realistic ng mga eksena a sobrang nakarelate ako. Para akong nanunuod ng isang telenobela — kapana-panabik at hindi mo nanaising bitawan o pakawalan. Naroong nakikita ko nalang ang aking sarili na humihikbi at umiiyak sa mga pangyayari sa storya.
Marami akong self realization matapos kong mabasa ang librong ito. Isa na dito ang perspektibo ng mga tao sa mga kaanib ng LGBTQIA+ community. Na kahit umiinog ang ating mundo, hindi pa din maiaalis ang mga negatibong komento patungkol sa mga queer people.
Ipinaranas ng librong ito sa akin ang kahulugan ng pagmamaha, kung paano magmahal at kung paano mahalin. Ipinakita nito ang iba't ibang mukha ng pag-ibig. Nakakakilig, Nakakalungkot at Nagdadala ng dalamhati.
Totoo ang sinabi ng mga naunang nagrebyu ng akdang ito —this is an ode, a letter to the people in the LGBTQIA+ community as well as to every reader regardless of your gender identity and sexual orientation.
Marami pa akong gustong sabihin ngunit eto nalang muna —basta, basahin nyo ang ganda nito.
Kaya kung naghahanap ka ng librong magpapaiyak sayo ngayong 2025, I recommend you to read this book!
Halos ilang araw na simula ng natapos ko ang akdang ito at ang naisusulat ko lang sa aking rebyu ay NAPAKANDA NYA at punong-puno ng kulay at buhay. Sa unang chapter pa lang ng nobelang ito ay gugulatin ka na ng author. Ipapadama nya agad sa'yo ang danas ng isang queer character. Napaka realistic ng mga eksena a sobrang nakarelate ako. Para akong nanunuod ng isang telenobela — kapana-panabik at hindi mo nanaising bitawan o pakawalan. Naroong nakikita ko nalang ang aking sarili na humihikbi at umiiyak sa mga pangyayari sa storya.
Marami akong self realization matapos kong mabasa ang librong ito. Isa na dito ang perspektibo ng mga tao sa mga kaanib ng LGBTQIA+ community. Na kahit umiinog ang ating mundo, hindi pa din maiaalis ang mga negatibong komento patungkol sa mga queer people.
Ipinaranas ng librong ito sa akin ang kahulugan ng pagmamaha, kung paano magmahal at kung paano mahalin. Ipinakita nito ang iba't ibang mukha ng pag-ibig. Nakakakilig, Nakakalungkot at Nagdadala ng dalamhati.
Totoo ang sinabi ng mga naunang nagrebyu ng akdang ito —this is an ode, a letter to the people in the LGBTQIA+ community as well as to every reader regardless of your gender identity and sexual orientation.
Marami pa akong gustong sabihin ngunit eto nalang muna —basta, basahin nyo ang ganda nito.
Kaya kung naghahanap ka ng librong magpapaiyak sayo ngayong 2025, I recommend you to read this book!
September 18, 2024
Katatapos ko lang basahin ng bagong nobela ni Sir Ricky Lee na Kalahating Bahaghari. Ang masasabi ko lang, ang kuwento sa loob nito ay tila kayamanang ipinangangako sa dulo ng bahaghari. Hindi mo isasara ang aklat sa bawat kabanata na wala kang matutunan na bagong impormasyon. Maganda rin ang pagkakapinid ng buong nobela, malawak siya, ngunit hindi komplikadong intindihin. Mas magpapaliwanag pa ang aklat.
Gusto ko rin sa nobela ang pagtatala ng dalawang kasaysayang patuloy pa rin binubura ng mga nasa Kapangyarihan. Magkakabit na ito noon pa man. Ang pakikibaka para sa lipunan at pagiging bakla.
Hindi rin biro ang reading experience. Halos kalahating araw ako nagpahinga para sa unang bahagi. Nang simulan ko naman ang pangalawa, hindi ko na nakilala ang antok. Kung babasahin mo ito, gusto kong sabihin, ihanda mo ang puso mo, pati tissue para sa uhog at luha mo. Matatawa ka rin, wag mag-alala.
Subukan niyo rin, if ever, na pakinggan ang mga pamagat ng kanta na mababanggit. Once na mapakinggan ninyo at mabasa ang mga eksena, doble ang dating ng eksena.
Eksayted na akong ikuwento sa mga kaibigan ko ang nabasa ko. At sa marami pang tao na makakasalamuha.
(P.S. Sinadya ko talagang huwag maging detailed sa mga nabasa ko sa nobela. Gusto ko, kayo at kayo lang ang makararanas sa unang pagbasa. Pagkatapos ko basahin ang huling pahina, hangang-hanga ako. Sabi nga sa aklat, parang may sumabog sa loob at labas ko.)
#RickyLee #KalahatingBahaghari
Gusto ko rin sa nobela ang pagtatala ng dalawang kasaysayang patuloy pa rin binubura ng mga nasa Kapangyarihan. Magkakabit na ito noon pa man. Ang pakikibaka para sa lipunan at pagiging bakla.
Hindi rin biro ang reading experience. Halos kalahating araw ako nagpahinga para sa unang bahagi. Nang simulan ko naman ang pangalawa, hindi ko na nakilala ang antok. Kung babasahin mo ito, gusto kong sabihin, ihanda mo ang puso mo, pati tissue para sa uhog at luha mo. Matatawa ka rin, wag mag-alala.
Subukan niyo rin, if ever, na pakinggan ang mga pamagat ng kanta na mababanggit. Once na mapakinggan ninyo at mabasa ang mga eksena, doble ang dating ng eksena.
Eksayted na akong ikuwento sa mga kaibigan ko ang nabasa ko. At sa marami pang tao na makakasalamuha.
(P.S. Sinadya ko talagang huwag maging detailed sa mga nabasa ko sa nobela. Gusto ko, kayo at kayo lang ang makararanas sa unang pagbasa. Pagkatapos ko basahin ang huling pahina, hangang-hanga ako. Sabi nga sa aklat, parang may sumabog sa loob at labas ko.)
#RickyLee #KalahatingBahaghari
June 28, 2025
ito ang librong magpapatunay na hindi lahat ng makulay ay habang-buhay makulay
October 13, 2025
Ricky Lee could’ve st*bbed me instead, and it would’ve hurt less than reading this book 😭 It’s so good, I would’ve thanked Ricky Lee for hurting me either way.
May 22, 2025
"Di mo kailangang maging perpekto nang ipanganak. Di ka kailangang buo na agad. Tayo ang bubuo sa sarili natin”
Sir Ricky Lee, maraming salamat po sa inyong akda.
Ang tagal na rin ng huling beses na naluha ako sa isang libro. Para sa akin, ito na ang pinakamaganda mo pong librong nabasa ko.
Grabe yung istorya ng pamilyang ipinakilala dito sa libro at ang mga emosyon na naramdaman ko kalakip sa bawat istorya ng mga karakter. Ramdam ko yung effort ni Ricky Lee na pagisipang mabuti yung backstories ng kanyang mga karakter at kung paano sila magiging interconnected.
Unang chapter pa lang grabe na yung emosyon na naramdaman ko. Ang ganda ng storytelling format kung saan naglakbay ako kasama ng mga karakter mula 1970 hanggang sa kasalukuyang panahon.
Hindi lang kapupulutan ng aral itong libro, educational rin siya tungkol sa LGBTQIA+ community.
Dahil kilalang screenwriter rin ng mga pelikula si Ricky Lee, parang mala-pelikula yung takbo ng mga eksena sa libro.
Ang husay, talagang kakapitan mo bawat eksena. Sana gawing pelikula itong libro kasi deserving talaga.
Ito yung librong ipaglalaban ko hanggang dulo.
Sir Ricky Lee, maraming salamat po sa inyong akda.
Ang tagal na rin ng huling beses na naluha ako sa isang libro. Para sa akin, ito na ang pinakamaganda mo pong librong nabasa ko.
Grabe yung istorya ng pamilyang ipinakilala dito sa libro at ang mga emosyon na naramdaman ko kalakip sa bawat istorya ng mga karakter. Ramdam ko yung effort ni Ricky Lee na pagisipang mabuti yung backstories ng kanyang mga karakter at kung paano sila magiging interconnected.
Unang chapter pa lang grabe na yung emosyon na naramdaman ko. Ang ganda ng storytelling format kung saan naglakbay ako kasama ng mga karakter mula 1970 hanggang sa kasalukuyang panahon.
Hindi lang kapupulutan ng aral itong libro, educational rin siya tungkol sa LGBTQIA+ community.
Dahil kilalang screenwriter rin ng mga pelikula si Ricky Lee, parang mala-pelikula yung takbo ng mga eksena sa libro.
Ang husay, talagang kakapitan mo bawat eksena. Sana gawing pelikula itong libro kasi deserving talaga.
Ito yung librong ipaglalaban ko hanggang dulo.
July 1, 2025
Kalahating Bahaghari by Ricky Lee is a must-read in Philippine literature.
This sweeping literary novel, which spans fifty years, explores queerness, gender and human rights, the complexities of the Filipino family, and the beautiful—though often painful—journey of self-discovery. It was heart-wrenching at times, but characters like Jim, Dale, Sam, and Sally made every page worth it.
This sweeping literary novel, which spans fifty years, explores queerness, gender and human rights, the complexities of the Filipino family, and the beautiful—though often painful—journey of self-discovery. It was heart-wrenching at times, but characters like Jim, Dale, Sam, and Sally made every page worth it.
November 11, 2025
Kalahating Bahaghari by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee is an ode to the lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community in the country. To portray their storied history, we follow a fictional family composed of queer members across three generations.
The novel is divided into two main parts. The first part, a historical fiction, opens in 1972 with teenager Jim awakening from a car accident that made him deaf and completely orphaned. This part tells his triumphs and tragedies with his identity, family, and romance all with the backdrop of the heightened political spirit of Marcos Sr. Martial Law. We then follow his nieces Sally and Erich as they go through a similarly (very) tumultuous coming of age of queers and transgenders.
The second part takes the form of a contemporary fiction set in 2024 as we are introduced to Sally’s son Joshua and his friend group with varied SOGIESCs (think The Marahuyo Project or Heartstopper but set along Katipunan Ave.). Josh goes through a different set of conflicts for a gay person in a more modern time growing up in an accepting family and relatively having more privilege. He also faces frustrations in being a writer finding his voice and in pursuit of the truth of his family, which he later realizes could be connected to each other.
“Ang umibig ay isang desisyon upang manatiling umiibig.”
Pieces of a classic Ricky Lee story are present, familiar to those who have watched or read at least one of his works: There is the testing and bending of his characters’ morality and his readers’ judgement. There’s the meta-advice on writing and a touch on the ‘cannibalization’ of creating art based on the lives of other people, reminiscent of Orly in Himala. His thesis on romance in Para Kay B can be recalled, where most people don't really get a successful and satisfying love story. There are cleverly hidden twists that do not affect the plot until revealed to reshape everything that was written before. The telenovela-like drama and tragedy of his characters.
“Sa bansang ito, sabi ng isang militanteng estudyante ni Jim, ay napakadali ang iwala ka at kalimutan.”
And it is not a Ricky Lee work without politics. In his fifth novel, gender politics isn’t hidden in allegories, rather depicted through the everyday lives of the characters and the lessons on the militancy of pride. Lee honors real-life events and people such as Stonewall Manila 1994, the existence of LGBTQ+ people before the arrival of the cross, the killing of transwoman Jennifer Laude, its unjust aftermath, and even the rainy 2024 Pride March.
“Madalas ay napag-uusapan nila na ang mga pagsupil noong ‘70s sa mga mamamayan, bakla man o hindi, ay kagaya pa rin ng pasgsupil ngayon.”
Lee becomes direct in connecting the struggle of the LGBT with the wider political situation of the times. He includes narratives that are less acknowledged in the mainstream such as the lives of queer people in the underground revolution. The way the police disperse protest actions, mobilizations during Martial Law was the same way they broke apart gay gatherings. Characters become direct victims of religious conversion camps and verbal abuse – the militaristic English standing out in the novel fully written in Filipino. Parallels between the oppression of activists and queer people are often pointed out. The 50-year span of the novel shows what changed and what hasn’t. Although more physical and digital spaces have recently offered safety for the community, discrimination and injustice is rampant still. Curiously, the book also offers perspectives from homophobes themselves and how they responded to the changes of the society’s treatment of the community.
Ricky Lee’s expertise as a scriptwriter becomes apparent. Some parts even become pure, full-on dialogue. There are moments that the writing felt too cinematic and this felt like a series/movie pitch instead of a novel. The fast pacing and flowy paragraphs bereft of quotation marks made this an engaging read.
However, I also think that the plot could’ve used inserting breathing spaces in between the heavy moments – especially in Sally and Erich’s storyline. I think it deserved a whole part equal to Jim’s and Joshua’s instead of 2-3 chapters for how heavy and loaded it was. There’s also a major revelation near the end: that was too heavy not only to the character but also to the reader and it was resolved abruptly . Some side characters I think deserve more presence in the story. Some had fates I thought were unnecessarily brutal . Some characters’ decisions make for *interesting* discussions . Minor critique but why is there so many reminders of
“May naipong galit sa kanilang mga dibdib sa pagdaan ng mga taon, galit na unti-unting naging pagkamuhi, at di nagtagal ay naging karahasan.”
Freedom and resistance becomes a recurring theme in the novel. Characters find freedom in dressing up, in sex, in occupying and reclaiming spaces, in fighting for multi-sectoral campaigns, in standing up, in leaving when they need to, in loving who they want to. With the violent truths contrasted with the things that bind the community - found families, strength, solidarity, and acceptance - the novel becomes a mirror to a struggle for victories long overdue.
“Hindi lang tayong mga miyembro ng LGBTQIA+ community ang nagtataas ng ating mga boses. Kasama din nating lahat ang mga manggagawa at estudyante at magsasaka at urban poor at indigenous groups, lahat ng inaapi, lahat ng tinatanggalan ng boses. Lahat tayo ay lumalaban! Ang pride ay protesta!”
The novel is divided into two main parts. The first part, a historical fiction, opens in 1972 with teenager Jim awakening from a car accident that made him deaf and completely orphaned. This part tells his triumphs and tragedies with his identity, family, and romance all with the backdrop of the heightened political spirit of Marcos Sr. Martial Law. We then follow his nieces Sally and Erich as they go through a similarly (very) tumultuous coming of age of queers and transgenders.
The second part takes the form of a contemporary fiction set in 2024 as we are introduced to Sally’s son Joshua and his friend group with varied SOGIESCs (think The Marahuyo Project or Heartstopper but set along Katipunan Ave.). Josh goes through a different set of conflicts for a gay person in a more modern time growing up in an accepting family and relatively having more privilege. He also faces frustrations in being a writer finding his voice and in pursuit of the truth of his family, which he later realizes could be connected to each other.
“Ang umibig ay isang desisyon upang manatiling umiibig.”
Pieces of a classic Ricky Lee story are present, familiar to those who have watched or read at least one of his works: There is the testing and bending of his characters’ morality and his readers’ judgement. There’s the meta-advice on writing and a touch on the ‘cannibalization’ of creating art based on the lives of other people, reminiscent of Orly in Himala. His thesis on romance in Para Kay B can be recalled, where most people don't really get a successful and satisfying love story. There are cleverly hidden twists that do not affect the plot until revealed to reshape everything that was written before. The telenovela-like drama and tragedy of his characters.
“Sa bansang ito, sabi ng isang militanteng estudyante ni Jim, ay napakadali ang iwala ka at kalimutan.”
And it is not a Ricky Lee work without politics. In his fifth novel, gender politics isn’t hidden in allegories, rather depicted through the everyday lives of the characters and the lessons on the militancy of pride. Lee honors real-life events and people such as Stonewall Manila 1994, the existence of LGBTQ+ people before the arrival of the cross, the killing of transwoman Jennifer Laude, its unjust aftermath, and even the rainy 2024 Pride March.
“Madalas ay napag-uusapan nila na ang mga pagsupil noong ‘70s sa mga mamamayan, bakla man o hindi, ay kagaya pa rin ng pasgsupil ngayon.”
Lee becomes direct in connecting the struggle of the LGBT with the wider political situation of the times. He includes narratives that are less acknowledged in the mainstream such as the lives of queer people in the underground revolution. The way the police disperse protest actions, mobilizations during Martial Law was the same way they broke apart gay gatherings. Characters become direct victims of religious conversion camps and verbal abuse – the militaristic English standing out in the novel fully written in Filipino. Parallels between the oppression of activists and queer people are often pointed out. The 50-year span of the novel shows what changed and what hasn’t. Although more physical and digital spaces have recently offered safety for the community, discrimination and injustice is rampant still. Curiously, the book also offers perspectives from homophobes themselves and how they responded to the changes of the society’s treatment of the community.
Ricky Lee’s expertise as a scriptwriter becomes apparent. Some parts even become pure, full-on dialogue. There are moments that the writing felt too cinematic and this felt like a series/movie pitch instead of a novel. The fast pacing and flowy paragraphs bereft of quotation marks made this an engaging read.
However, I also think that the plot could’ve used inserting breathing spaces in between the heavy moments – especially in Sally and Erich’s storyline. I think it deserved a whole part equal to Jim’s and Joshua’s instead of 2-3 chapters for how heavy and loaded it was. There’s also a major revelation near the end: that was too heavy not only to the character but also to the reader and it was resolved abruptly . Some side characters I think deserve more presence in the story. Some had fates I thought were unnecessarily brutal . Some characters’ decisions make for *interesting* discussions . Minor critique but why is there so many reminders of
“May naipong galit sa kanilang mga dibdib sa pagdaan ng mga taon, galit na unti-unting naging pagkamuhi, at di nagtagal ay naging karahasan.”
Freedom and resistance becomes a recurring theme in the novel. Characters find freedom in dressing up, in sex, in occupying and reclaiming spaces, in fighting for multi-sectoral campaigns, in standing up, in leaving when they need to, in loving who they want to. With the violent truths contrasted with the things that bind the community - found families, strength, solidarity, and acceptance - the novel becomes a mirror to a struggle for victories long overdue.
“Hindi lang tayong mga miyembro ng LGBTQIA+ community ang nagtataas ng ating mga boses. Kasama din nating lahat ang mga manggagawa at estudyante at magsasaka at urban poor at indigenous groups, lahat ng inaapi, lahat ng tinatanggalan ng boses. Lahat tayo ay lumalaban! Ang pride ay protesta!”
February 23, 2025
I really tried to like this book but uhm it was ok. Para kasing nagmamadali siyang iparating yung mensahe nya nakalimutan nya maging makasining.
I imagine that it could have had the potential to be a three generation queer family epic kaya lang kasi ang bilis talaga. Bakla si ganito, pan si ganyan, namatay siya, etc.
Ang dami rin unrealistic and anachronistic na events. Like yung hinabol nya si mystery guy hanggang sa kaloob-looban ng office building, IN BGC. People who worked there know there is no way you can make it past the guard nang walang ID and access card. Farthest is the lobby. Turnstiles, elevators, halos lahat ng pinto need ng access card.
And then nung hinahanap na nya si mystery guy opening and closing doors. That is not how the modern office looks like. Lahat po may glass na. Bawal yung hindi nakikita ang loob because corporations require transparency while having the highest level of security.
I wish the author leaned more into the multiverse side piece. That is more interesting. Even more interesting are the fictional novels within about the side characters in our national heroes lives. Sana yun na lang ang na build up.
The ending too was hmmmm. I get that we’re trying to be hopeful pero yung biglang may apparitions ng ghosts na parang sa ending ng Star Wars was just cornballs. Akala ko nagbbleed uli yung alternate universe to ours kaya lang hindi pala, imagination lang.
I imagine that it could have had the potential to be a three generation queer family epic kaya lang kasi ang bilis talaga. Bakla si ganito, pan si ganyan, namatay siya, etc.
Ang dami rin unrealistic and anachronistic na events. Like yung hinabol nya si mystery guy hanggang sa kaloob-looban ng office building, IN BGC. People who worked there know there is no way you can make it past the guard nang walang ID and access card. Farthest is the lobby. Turnstiles, elevators, halos lahat ng pinto need ng access card.
And then nung hinahanap na nya si mystery guy opening and closing doors. That is not how the modern office looks like. Lahat po may glass na. Bawal yung hindi nakikita ang loob because corporations require transparency while having the highest level of security.
I wish the author leaned more into the multiverse side piece. That is more interesting. Even more interesting are the fictional novels within about the side characters in our national heroes lives. Sana yun na lang ang na build up.
The ending too was hmmmm. I get that we’re trying to be hopeful pero yung biglang may apparitions ng ghosts na parang sa ending ng Star Wars was just cornballs. Akala ko nagbbleed uli yung alternate universe to ours kaya lang hindi pala, imagination lang.
January 6, 2025
Hirap magmahal pag bading!! Hindi naman kalaban ang pag-ibig, mas kalaban ang mundo, ibang tao, takot, hiya, pulitika, kahit ang mga sarili.
Paalaala ang librong itong desisyon ang umibig, kahit mahirap, kahit maraming kalaban, upang manatiling umiibig
Paalaala ang librong itong desisyon ang umibig, kahit mahirap, kahit maraming kalaban, upang manatiling umiibig
January 12, 2025
oh to live a life written by ricky lee…
January 11, 2025
Higit limang dekadang kuwento ng isang pamilya at ng usaping pangkasarian sa Pilipinas sa iba't ibang yugto ng kasaysayan. Punumpuno ang Kalahating Bahaghari ng madilim (at marahas) na naratibo, ngunit palaging nagtatapos sa mga kulay ng bahaghari---bagama't kalahati lang at hindi buo. Madilim, sapagka't isinasalaysay nito ang danas ng sangkabaklaan kung saan palagi silang nililibak, itinuturing na iba, malayo sa normalidad na idinidikta ng lipunan. Ngunit makulay dahil palaging lumalaban, walang-takot, nakikibaka para sa pagkakapantay-pantay. Hindi buo ang bahaghari sapagkat palaging nasa yugto ng pagbabago ang daigdig, pinapanday ng mga danas ng mamamayan, binabaka para sa isang malayang lipunan. Sabi nga ni Sir Ricky sa aklat, "Patuloy pa ang mga pagbabago. Hindi lahat ay naitakda na. Bukás pa ang kahon. May mga hindi pa nakikita sa gitna ng mga espasyo, mga misteryong di magagap, mga kaakuhang wala pang pangalan, mga lugar na hindi kung ano ang isang bagay o tao ay iyon na. Nasa isang mundo tayo ng walang hanggang hiwaga at posibilidad."
Para ka na ring kumuha ng ED (educational discussion) tungkol sa SOGIE sa nobela ni Sir Ricky Lee: May pagsasakonteksto ng mga usaping pangkasarian, may pagsasakasaysayan, at may tunguhin. Punumpuno ng impormasyon ngunit hindi mo magagawang bitiwan. Hindi ito basta-basta lang pagkukuwento kundi may nais ding makamit para sa komunidad ng LGBTQIA+ na hindi hiwalay na sektor ng lipunan. Bagama't mas bukas na sa usaping pangkasariaan ang lipunan ngayon kumpara noon, laganap pa rin ang homophobia, hate crime, diskriminasyon, misgendering, etc., na mauugat sa umiiral na pyudal na kultura na kailangan nating patuloy na baguhin. 'Ika nga, malayo na pero malayo pa.
Marami pang puwedeng pagkuwentuhan tungkol sa nobela---katulad ng kultura ng mga Tsino, kung ano-anong kanta at pelikula ang nasa loob ng nobela, ang mga tauhan at lugar sa kuwento, pati ang usapin tungkol sa pagsusulat---na iiwan ko na lang sa iba pang mambabasa. Basta ihanda mo na lang ang sarili mo kung babasahin mo ang Kalahating Bahaghari dahil tiyak na bubuhos ang emosyon mo. Puwede kang matawa, bumaha ang iyong luha, magalit, malungkot, sumaya. Tandaan lang na katulad sa kuwento, hindi palaging maliwanag ang langit, naghahatid din ito ng dilim at ng ulan, ngunit sa dulo ay mayroon itong ipinapangakong bahaghari para sa 'yo.
Para ka na ring kumuha ng ED (educational discussion) tungkol sa SOGIE sa nobela ni Sir Ricky Lee: May pagsasakonteksto ng mga usaping pangkasarian, may pagsasakasaysayan, at may tunguhin. Punumpuno ng impormasyon ngunit hindi mo magagawang bitiwan. Hindi ito basta-basta lang pagkukuwento kundi may nais ding makamit para sa komunidad ng LGBTQIA+ na hindi hiwalay na sektor ng lipunan. Bagama't mas bukas na sa usaping pangkasariaan ang lipunan ngayon kumpara noon, laganap pa rin ang homophobia, hate crime, diskriminasyon, misgendering, etc., na mauugat sa umiiral na pyudal na kultura na kailangan nating patuloy na baguhin. 'Ika nga, malayo na pero malayo pa.
Marami pang puwedeng pagkuwentuhan tungkol sa nobela---katulad ng kultura ng mga Tsino, kung ano-anong kanta at pelikula ang nasa loob ng nobela, ang mga tauhan at lugar sa kuwento, pati ang usapin tungkol sa pagsusulat---na iiwan ko na lang sa iba pang mambabasa. Basta ihanda mo na lang ang sarili mo kung babasahin mo ang Kalahating Bahaghari dahil tiyak na bubuhos ang emosyon mo. Puwede kang matawa, bumaha ang iyong luha, magalit, malungkot, sumaya. Tandaan lang na katulad sa kuwento, hindi palaging maliwanag ang langit, naghahatid din ito ng dilim at ng ulan, ngunit sa dulo ay mayroon itong ipinapangakong bahaghari para sa 'yo.
March 22, 2025
"Hindi kami fetish na fulfillment lang ng fantasy ng ibang tao. Hindi kami freak o aksidente o pagkakamali o may depektong kailangang i-repair. Hindi kami entertainers lang, o comic relief, o libangan, na kapag hindi kailangan ay intinatago sa closet, o kaya ay binibura. Hindi kami nagising na lang ay nag-decide na trans na kami. Mga tao kaming kagaya niyo."
Hindi ko alam paano ipapaliwanag pero may kung anong force ang naempowered sa loob ko after basahin nito. Wala akong ibang masabi sa mga mabubuting karakter kundi proud ako sa kanila. Mas lumawak ang pag-intindi at simpatiya ko sa mga lgbtq+.
Napakadaling basahin ng akda na 'to at kuhang-kuha niya yung imahinasyon ko. Ang daming linya na sapul na uulit-ulitin ko sa utak ko.
Unang Filipino book ko to after 3-4 years (?) at masaya ako sa napili ko galing PBF. Excited na ulit ako magbasa pa ulit ng sariling wika 🇵🇭 (perstaym ko lang din ulit magbigay ng review ng Tagalog hehe)
Para kay Ricky Lee, da best ka talagaaa! Sobrang Latalinooo! 🫡
Hindi ko alam paano ipapaliwanag pero may kung anong force ang naempowered sa loob ko after basahin nito. Wala akong ibang masabi sa mga mabubuting karakter kundi proud ako sa kanila. Mas lumawak ang pag-intindi at simpatiya ko sa mga lgbtq+.
Napakadaling basahin ng akda na 'to at kuhang-kuha niya yung imahinasyon ko. Ang daming linya na sapul na uulit-ulitin ko sa utak ko.
Unang Filipino book ko to after 3-4 years (?) at masaya ako sa napili ko galing PBF. Excited na ulit ako magbasa pa ulit ng sariling wika 🇵🇭 (perstaym ko lang din ulit magbigay ng review ng Tagalog hehe)
Para kay Ricky Lee, da best ka talagaaa! Sobrang Latalinooo! 🫡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2025
Magkakadugtong na buhay ng mga bakla, lesbian, queer, trans at iba pa, mahusay na naisulat ni Ricky Lee mula 1970 hanggang 2019 (or 2024).
Tatlong henerasyon ng isang pamilya, lahat LGBTQIA+, mula sa malupit na mga karanasan at mapagmalayang pagmamahal. Winawasak at binubuo ang kanilang pagkatao. Namumuhay sa mundo ng karaniwan. Pero lahat humihiling ng kaligayahan.
Napaka Filipino ng kwento. Madaling naisulat ni Ricky Lee ang mga bida sa libro, ang kanilang saluobin, mga pangarap. Buo ang mga kwento.It is grilled with heart and heritage. Ilambeses akong umiiyak sa malulungkot na mga kwento kasi totoo lahat. Tumatagos, an honest depiction.
Hanggang ngayon, ang pinaglalaban natin na pantay na karapatan ng mga Filipino, importanteng ipagpatuloy. Buong mundo ay humihingi ng karapatan na ito. SOGIE Bill na hindi pa maipasa sa Pilipinas. Hustisya sa mga sinasaktan at pinapatay na kasapi natin.
Si Joshua ang nasa ikatatlong henerasyon, sya ang may hawak ng lahat ng pinagdaanan ng kanyang mga ninuno, at magpapatuloy mabuhay kahit na may madilim na lihim, kasi ang choices nya na harapin ang ngayon ay bunga ng pagmamahal at katapangan ng mga nagmahal at nagmamahal sa kanya.
Tatlong henerasyon ng isang pamilya, lahat LGBTQIA+, mula sa malupit na mga karanasan at mapagmalayang pagmamahal. Winawasak at binubuo ang kanilang pagkatao. Namumuhay sa mundo ng karaniwan. Pero lahat humihiling ng kaligayahan.
Napaka Filipino ng kwento. Madaling naisulat ni Ricky Lee ang mga bida sa libro, ang kanilang saluobin, mga pangarap. Buo ang mga kwento.It is grilled with heart and heritage. Ilambeses akong umiiyak sa malulungkot na mga kwento kasi totoo lahat. Tumatagos, an honest depiction.
Hanggang ngayon, ang pinaglalaban natin na pantay na karapatan ng mga Filipino, importanteng ipagpatuloy. Buong mundo ay humihingi ng karapatan na ito. SOGIE Bill na hindi pa maipasa sa Pilipinas. Hustisya sa mga sinasaktan at pinapatay na kasapi natin.
Si Joshua ang nasa ikatatlong henerasyon, sya ang may hawak ng lahat ng pinagdaanan ng kanyang mga ninuno, at magpapatuloy mabuhay kahit na may madilim na lihim, kasi ang choices nya na harapin ang ngayon ay bunga ng pagmamahal at katapangan ng mga nagmahal at nagmamahal sa kanya.
June 5, 2025
Sa librong ito, naitawid yung pagiging myembro ng LGBTQIA+ simula nung dati pa hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Pwedeng itanggi ng karamihan sa nakakatanda sa atin na “wala namang bakla at tomboy noon, ngayon lang yan nauso sa panahon na’to” pero well, buhay na patunay ang iilan sa mga nakakasalamuha natin lalo na twing pride march.
Ewan ko kung nagkaroon na ba ng instance na ganito pero parang unang beses pa lang akong nakabasa ng nobela na feeling ko kasama ako sa kwento kasi andun ako mismo sa setting kung saan ang mga character. Nakakatuwa! Salamat kay Ricky Lee, na-encapsulate yung moment na yun. I think eternal na yun.
Ewan ko kung nagkaroon na ba ng instance na ganito pero parang unang beses pa lang akong nakabasa ng nobela na feeling ko kasama ako sa kwento kasi andun ako mismo sa setting kung saan ang mga character. Nakakatuwa! Salamat kay Ricky Lee, na-encapsulate yung moment na yun. I think eternal na yun.
March 18, 2026
4.5 🌟
Malalim at masakit, ngunit makahulugan at mapagpalaya.
Makibeki, 'wag mashokot! 🏳️🌈
This novel has taken me to a rollercoaster of emotions—made me question myself at times, but also made me feel seen.
This was my first Filo read and it made me look forward to other pieces I was able to get at PBF 2026.
Malalim at masakit, ngunit makahulugan at mapagpalaya.
Makibeki, 'wag mashokot! 🏳️🌈
This novel has taken me to a rollercoaster of emotions—made me question myself at times, but also made me feel seen.
This was my first Filo read and it made me look forward to other pieces I was able to get at PBF 2026.
June 6, 2025
- story starts in the 70s—showed how macho-fascism k*lled & t*rtured people just for being activists AND/OR queer during the martial law era. always great to see the connection between class and gender being discussed/tackled
- also showed the progression of how queerness is perceived in the Philippines
- so many things happened in the novel, some might hate this kind of storytelling but for me, it still felt whole, everything connects and makes sense. some plot points may feel exaggerwted, but no, these gruesome things really happen in real life up to this day
- chapters about desaparecidos hit too hard. people might think that abduction of activists is a thing of the past, but in the novel it happens at present–just like what happened to Bazoo (an activist friend & orgmate) and Manong Dexter (and many more). almost teared up bc i remember seeing Bazoo in QC a few days before their disappearance. novels like this ensure that our call will never be silenced and forgotten
- not just a rollercoaster ride, Kalahating Bahaghari is a whole park full of love, misery, and horror
- loving someone whose heart is still occupied by the past
- classic generational trauma
- daddy & mommy issues? check! falling for a straight man? check! (ps these are not canon for me 😌)
- discrimination and violence against trans people
- + (just like in lgbtqia+, there are more)
- the thing i love the most is this novel shows that no matter how bad they want us gone, queer people survive, fight, and continue
- i have many many more thoughts tbh i just dont have the words for now haha (i dont even knownif ill ever have the proper words) but all in all i think that this is really the perfect read this pride season—especially that we, queer people ourselves, often forget that pride is first and foremost a protest
- definitely a 5/5 read for me esp after getting chained to healing japanese and korean novels 😭
- also showed the progression of how queerness is perceived in the Philippines
- so many things happened in the novel, some might hate this kind of storytelling but for me, it still felt whole, everything connects and makes sense. some plot points may feel exaggerwted, but no, these gruesome things really happen in real life up to this day
- chapters about desaparecidos hit too hard. people might think that abduction of activists is a thing of the past, but in the novel it happens at present–just like what happened to Bazoo (an activist friend & orgmate) and Manong Dexter (and many more). almost teared up bc i remember seeing Bazoo in QC a few days before their disappearance. novels like this ensure that our call will never be silenced and forgotten
- not just a rollercoaster ride, Kalahating Bahaghari is a whole park full of love, misery, and horror
- loving someone whose heart is still occupied by the past
- classic generational trauma
- daddy & mommy issues? check! falling for a straight man? check! (ps these are not canon for me 😌)
- discrimination and violence against trans people
- + (just like in lgbtqia+, there are more)
- the thing i love the most is this novel shows that no matter how bad they want us gone, queer people survive, fight, and continue
- i have many many more thoughts tbh i just dont have the words for now haha (i dont even knownif ill ever have the proper words) but all in all i think that this is really the perfect read this pride season—especially that we, queer people ourselves, often forget that pride is first and foremost a protest
- definitely a 5/5 read for me esp after getting chained to healing japanese and korean novels 😭
January 29, 2026
My first Ricky Lee's book. Grabe, #gets ko na. Sobrang raw and casual ng writing style. Gusto ko 'yung hindi ka literal na sinasampal ng kung ano mang nais sabihin ng kwento, pero may sinasabi at kapag narinig mo, mapapa-isip ka kung gaano katapang at kaganda ang nangyayari. I'll miss Jim. For a while, naisip ko na totoong tao sila, and true enough, totoong tao sila. Nakakasalubong natin. Kaibigan natin. Kakilala natin. Nakasabay natin. O baka maging tayo ay bahaghari din ng bahaghari.
April 26, 2025
this book is one of a kind and definitely isa sa mga books na i'll recommend to everyone. aside sa pag-tackle sa iba't ibang isyu na nararanasan ng mga part ng lgbtqia+ sa pinas, it also showed ang interconnectedness natin sa bawat isa. love ko yung dynamics ng bawat character and yung flow ng story. mahal na mahal ko yung story ni jim and sam, as well as kay sally & joshua, and mikee 🥹 (parang nilahat ko na). and despite some heavy topics, able pa rin na ipagpatuloy na basahin siya kasi talagang maaattach ka sa characters. minsan, parang kasama ka na rin sa kuwento. makikita mo yung sarili mo sa mga tauhan. ricky lee is unparalleled, hindi talaga nagpapabigo ang pagsulat niya. i'll hold this book close to my heart as someone who's a proud bading kahit na minsa'y mabigat sa loob ang pagiging isa sa mundong pinaparamdam ka na hindi ka kabilang
February 18, 2026
A Ricky Lee masterpiece. A hopeful, heartbreaking, and undeniably real testimony to love persevering - no matter the form or color.
June 9, 2025
if I could go into this book and meet the characters that made me FEEL, I would give each of them the warmest hug ever
February 15, 2026
Isang mahigpit na yakap para sa mga bakla. My first read of anything by Sir Ricky Lee at unang Pilipinong librong binasa ko nang tapos. Hindi ako nagsising ito ang simula ng aking marami pang pagtangkilik ng anomang karanasang Pinoy. Dinala ako nito sa iba't ibang henerasyon ng bahaghari hanggang sa tanggap ko na rin ang sarili ko nang buo, hindi na kalahati :))
February 8, 2026
ito ang una kong nobela na nabasa mula kay Ricky Lee, at hindi mapagkakailang walang kupas ang husay ng manunulat ng iskrip ng ilan sa mga paborito kong pelikula. walang limitasyon, walang preno, walang patumpik-tumpik, walang hangganan ang imahinasyon ng akdang ito; dinadala tayo sa tatlong henerasyon ng pakikibaka, pakikibagay, pakikipaglaban sa karapatan ng mga bakla bilang tao at bilang Pilipino.
ilan sa mga gusto kong bahagi ng libro ay ang representasyon ng lahat ng kulay ng bahaghari: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, intersex, asexual, atbp. gusto ko rin ang paglapat ng iba’t-ibang konsepto ng pag-ibig, mula sa mala-‘mate for life’ na drama hanggang sa ‘polyamory’ ay maayos na natalakay dito; hindi mahalaga kung sino ang nauna at kung gaano katagal mo silang minahal, ang importante ay mahal mo silang lahat or something along those lines. bagama’t malaya ang pagkakasulat at epektibo ang humor, siguro ay isa sa mga mapupuna ay ang mala-teleserye na plot ng nobela, na hindi naman talaga palaging nangyayari sa totoong buhay.
at pagkatapos ng lahat, pinapakita rin ng nobela na malayo pa ang ating lalakbayin para lubusang matanggap ng kapwa natin Pilipino. at kahit anong klaseng pagyurak sa ating pagkatao ay nandito pa rin tayo at mananatili tayong nandito, mula pa bago dumating ang mga Kastila hanggang sa paggunaw ng mundo, ay hindi mawawala ang mga bakla.
kaya makibeki, wag mashokot!!!
ilan sa mga gusto kong bahagi ng libro ay ang representasyon ng lahat ng kulay ng bahaghari: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, intersex, asexual, atbp. gusto ko rin ang paglapat ng iba’t-ibang konsepto ng pag-ibig, mula sa mala-‘mate for life’ na drama hanggang sa ‘polyamory’ ay maayos na natalakay dito; hindi mahalaga kung sino ang nauna at kung gaano katagal mo silang minahal, ang importante ay mahal mo silang lahat or something along those lines. bagama’t malaya ang pagkakasulat at epektibo ang humor, siguro ay isa sa mga mapupuna ay ang mala-teleserye na plot ng nobela, na hindi naman talaga palaging nangyayari sa totoong buhay.
at pagkatapos ng lahat, pinapakita rin ng nobela na malayo pa ang ating lalakbayin para lubusang matanggap ng kapwa natin Pilipino. at kahit anong klaseng pagyurak sa ating pagkatao ay nandito pa rin tayo at mananatili tayong nandito, mula pa bago dumating ang mga Kastila hanggang sa paggunaw ng mundo, ay hindi mawawala ang mga bakla.
kaya makibeki, wag mashokot!!!
December 24, 2024
Kinilig
Umiyak
Tumawa
Kinilig
Nagalit
Umiyak
Umiyak
Umiyak
Umiyak
Umiyak
Kinilig
Kinilig
Umiyak
Umiyak
Lumaya.
Muntik ko na ma-DNF dahil hindi handa ang puso ko sa mga nangyayari. Pero natalo iyon ng ganda ng pagkakahabi ng mga kuwento ng LGBTQIA+ community at ng allies, na mula noon pa man ay nakikibaka na upang mabuo ang kalahating bahaghari. At bilang isang bading, masaya akong natagpuan ko ang sarili ko sa mga tauhan ng nobelang ito.
This is a masterpiece. Maraming salamat, Sir Ricky!
Umiyak
Tumawa
Kinilig
Nagalit
Umiyak
Umiyak
Umiyak
Umiyak
Umiyak
Kinilig
Kinilig
Umiyak
Umiyak
Lumaya.
Muntik ko na ma-DNF dahil hindi handa ang puso ko sa mga nangyayari. Pero natalo iyon ng ganda ng pagkakahabi ng mga kuwento ng LGBTQIA+ community at ng allies, na mula noon pa man ay nakikibaka na upang mabuo ang kalahating bahaghari. At bilang isang bading, masaya akong natagpuan ko ang sarili ko sa mga tauhan ng nobelang ito.
This is a masterpiece. Maraming salamat, Sir Ricky!
October 25, 2024
Andaming bading 🤩 five stars ka saken 😎🫵
June 23, 2025
This was my second time reading this book. Special thanks to Emman and Talk Bookish to Me for including me in their Book of the Month discussion.
Revisiting this story felt like reopening old wounds. You think you've moved on, but it still wrecks you to the core. That was me—I thought I had already processed the pain, but the emotions remained just as raw as they were the first time I read it.
As I mentioned in my Book Threads post before, the book powerfully captures the different struggles faced by the LGBTQIA+ community over the years
• Each era—Martial Law, the 90s, and the 2000s—had its own way of portraying discrimination and pain. As the world moves forward, the struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community continue, evolving but never truly disappearing.
• Stigma – In the 90s, HIV and AIDS were labeled as dreadful diseases. With less societal awareness, the blame was often unfairly directed toward the LGBTQIA+ community. Today, despite increased access to information, ignorance persists. HIV cases continue to rise, and instead of compassion, some people respond by suggesting mandatory HIV testing for job applications—out of fear of being “infected.” I even saw posts from QC’s Pride Run flooded with hateful comments like, “Kaya tumataas ang HIV dahil sa inyo!” These reflect how deeply rooted the stigma still is.
• Family should be a source of love, acceptance, and strength—but for many, it becomes the root of trauma and pain. The love they deserved from their families is instead found in the kindness of strangers and chosen friends.
• We often claim that Filipino culture doesn't struggle with pronouns due to our supposed gender-neutral language. However, colonial influence—especially Spanish—has embedded gender-specific roles in our vocabulary (like work titles ending in “-o” or “-a”). Many professions remain dominated by a single gender, and when an LGBTQIA+ individual enters these spaces, they are still met with judgment and raised eyebrows.
• Religious conversions – Some still interpret being LGBTQIA+ as a sin. They say “hate the sin, love the sinner,” yet fail to separate the person from their identity. This leads to forced conversions. It's an irony when religious leaders, like the pastor in Marina’s church, describe gays and lesbians as if they were a disease.
• Pride Walk is often misunderstood as flaunting or showing off. But people forget—or choose not to see—that it's a protest. A fight for basic human rights, safety, and dignity. They are not just marching for themselves, but for all of us—against brutality, inequality, poverty, injustice, and economic instability. They walk so others may live free. . Ipinaglalaban din nila tayo.
Nasa isang mundo tayo ng walang hanggang hiwaga at posibilidad (we are in a world of neverending mystery and posibilities). Probably that's what sums up this book: Kalahating Bahaghari (Half Rainbow). The book was called Kalahating Bahaghari because throughout the history of pains there is another universe where they can complete the whole curve of that rain
My hope for the Filipinos is to be humane, understanding, and more educated. They yearn for respect, I do hope they can find it in their families. Family is home, it is where everyone of us belong. Sana matagpuan din nila ang tahanan sa kanilang pamilya – pamilya na may pag-unawa at walang bahid ng panghuhusga, pamilya nagbibigay lakas at hindi takot, pamilya kayang ipaglaban at hindi kinatatakutan. Maging karugtong ng kalahating bahaghari sana ang kanilang mga pamilya.
This was another masterpiece of Ricky Lee that foretold the history of the LGBTQA+ struggle as a Filipino. It captures the unusual story from history that is worth a read.
Revisiting this story felt like reopening old wounds. You think you've moved on, but it still wrecks you to the core. That was me—I thought I had already processed the pain, but the emotions remained just as raw as they were the first time I read it.
As I mentioned in my Book Threads post before, the book powerfully captures the different struggles faced by the LGBTQIA+ community over the years
• Each era—Martial Law, the 90s, and the 2000s—had its own way of portraying discrimination and pain. As the world moves forward, the struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community continue, evolving but never truly disappearing.
• Stigma – In the 90s, HIV and AIDS were labeled as dreadful diseases. With less societal awareness, the blame was often unfairly directed toward the LGBTQIA+ community. Today, despite increased access to information, ignorance persists. HIV cases continue to rise, and instead of compassion, some people respond by suggesting mandatory HIV testing for job applications—out of fear of being “infected.” I even saw posts from QC’s Pride Run flooded with hateful comments like, “Kaya tumataas ang HIV dahil sa inyo!” These reflect how deeply rooted the stigma still is.
• Family should be a source of love, acceptance, and strength—but for many, it becomes the root of trauma and pain. The love they deserved from their families is instead found in the kindness of strangers and chosen friends.
• We often claim that Filipino culture doesn't struggle with pronouns due to our supposed gender-neutral language. However, colonial influence—especially Spanish—has embedded gender-specific roles in our vocabulary (like work titles ending in “-o” or “-a”). Many professions remain dominated by a single gender, and when an LGBTQIA+ individual enters these spaces, they are still met with judgment and raised eyebrows.
• Religious conversions – Some still interpret being LGBTQIA+ as a sin. They say “hate the sin, love the sinner,” yet fail to separate the person from their identity. This leads to forced conversions. It's an irony when religious leaders, like the pastor in Marina’s church, describe gays and lesbians as if they were a disease.
• Pride Walk is often misunderstood as flaunting or showing off. But people forget—or choose not to see—that it's a protest. A fight for basic human rights, safety, and dignity. They are not just marching for themselves, but for all of us—against brutality, inequality, poverty, injustice, and economic instability. They walk so others may live free. . Ipinaglalaban din nila tayo.
Nasa isang mundo tayo ng walang hanggang hiwaga at posibilidad (we are in a world of neverending mystery and posibilities). Probably that's what sums up this book: Kalahating Bahaghari (Half Rainbow). The book was called Kalahating Bahaghari because throughout the history of pains there is another universe where they can complete the whole curve of that rain
My hope for the Filipinos is to be humane, understanding, and more educated. They yearn for respect, I do hope they can find it in their families. Family is home, it is where everyone of us belong. Sana matagpuan din nila ang tahanan sa kanilang pamilya – pamilya na may pag-unawa at walang bahid ng panghuhusga, pamilya nagbibigay lakas at hindi takot, pamilya kayang ipaglaban at hindi kinatatakutan. Maging karugtong ng kalahating bahaghari sana ang kanilang mga pamilya.
This was another masterpiece of Ricky Lee that foretold the history of the LGBTQA+ struggle as a Filipino. It captures the unusual story from history that is worth a read.
June 24, 2025
Just like the book cover, the emotions I’ve felt while reading this is like a rainbow journey; different colors, different emotions. The way Ricky Lee writes his characters is so humanly, they are not perfect, they all have their flaws, and yet they are all just trying to survive this unfair and cruel world. He knows how to use the words and how to make it sharp. Sharp enough to stab your heart and hurt you — make you feel the character’s pain and frustrations. This book completed and destroyed me. It completed me in a way I can see some of the characters experiences that I could relate to and make me feel visible and comfortable. Somehow, it also destroys me, it broke my heart by the experiences these characters encountered; especially to Sally, Jim, and Sam, actually to most of them. Parang dinurog nila yung puso ko sa bawat istorya nila, tapos kinuha nila yung bawat bubog ng puso ko at sinaksak sa akin pabalik. Ganun s’ya kasakit.
I think it is entitled as “Kalahating Bahaghari” is because of the experiences that these characters had. A rainbow symbolizes hope, love, and happiness. However, with each character’s experience and story they are not always hopeful, loved, and happy. There are times that they are doubtful, full of hatred, unloved, filled with uncertainties l, and frustrated with the unjust system they experienced. That is why it’s always a half rainbow. To think that most characters felt incomplete yet they find each other that completed who they truly are.
It can also symbolizes as unfinished story, journey, and ongoing fight for the rights of LGBTQIA+. Imagine, this story takes places for 50 years, five generations, with different individuals who tried to be free from societal expectations, discrimination, and oppression. Hindi matatapos ang laban hangga’t hindi nakikita ng iba ang buong bahaghari, ang buong kuwento, ang buong emosyon ng mga taong nakaranas ng ganitong isyu. Hindi matatapos ito hangga’t hindi naiintindihan, natatanggap, at nalalaman na may nangyayaring ganito. Dapat ngayon, nakikisangkot tayo sa mga ganitong isyu para ang susunod na henerasyon ay makakapagmahal nang buong buo, walang takot, at kayang ipagmalaki kung sino man sila. Sana ang susunod na henerasyon ang bubuo ng bahaghari.
Thank you for reading my yapping session.
I think it is entitled as “Kalahating Bahaghari” is because of the experiences that these characters had. A rainbow symbolizes hope, love, and happiness. However, with each character’s experience and story they are not always hopeful, loved, and happy. There are times that they are doubtful, full of hatred, unloved, filled with uncertainties l, and frustrated with the unjust system they experienced. That is why it’s always a half rainbow. To think that most characters felt incomplete yet they find each other that completed who they truly are.
It can also symbolizes as unfinished story, journey, and ongoing fight for the rights of LGBTQIA+. Imagine, this story takes places for 50 years, five generations, with different individuals who tried to be free from societal expectations, discrimination, and oppression. Hindi matatapos ang laban hangga’t hindi nakikita ng iba ang buong bahaghari, ang buong kuwento, ang buong emosyon ng mga taong nakaranas ng ganitong isyu. Hindi matatapos ito hangga’t hindi naiintindihan, natatanggap, at nalalaman na may nangyayaring ganito. Dapat ngayon, nakikisangkot tayo sa mga ganitong isyu para ang susunod na henerasyon ay makakapagmahal nang buong buo, walang takot, at kayang ipagmalaki kung sino man sila. Sana ang susunod na henerasyon ang bubuo ng bahaghari.
Thank you for reading my yapping session.
June 30, 2025
I am here to make another required reading recommendation. Much has already been said about this book, and I wholeheartedly agree with the raves from fellow bookish friends. I would like to add to the discussion by sharing how it impacted me.
Kalahating Bahaghari, penned by none other than National Artist Ricky Lee, is more than just a love letter to the LGBTQIA+ community. Written in Filipino, reading it feels like traveling back in time as if experiencing, through his complex characters, what it was like to live as queer during the Martial Law era, more than 50 years ago. The story is told from the perspective of a family (if we can even call it that, depending on how we define it), tracing their journey down the line to the present day.
Fifty years may sound like a long time ago but it hits close to home. It was the time of my parents, and perhaps your grandparents. For me, born in the early ’80s, it stirred nostalgia, memories, and beliefs. There are things I thought I understood but were challenged, enriched, and definitely moved by this book. I knew bits and pieces of these realities, but seeing them laid out as a whole brought so much insight. Moving forward, I know I have been changed.
I’ve always considered myself an ally and many people dear to me are LGBTQIA+. But, reading Kalahating Bahaghari ignited in me a greater sense of responsibility. I know I have to do more and to contribute in whatever way I can, to change the prejudices and injustices that still exist today.
I said this is more than a love letter- this book is a tribute, an honor for those who lived through those decades. This is about recognizing that while we have come a long way, it hasn’t always been like this. We have moved far from that dark period of grave prejudice when they weren’t free, not just as citizens, but even to be themselves. They denied who they were, hid, and bore the brunt of societal discrimination. Times when even your own family could be an unsafe space. But they soldiered on, and here we are today. Malayo na, pero malayo pa.
I feel this should be required reading because the lessons it imparts feel like learning from an LGBTQIA+ manual- only that it is not. These are well-told stories, drawn from people who lived that reality. I cried. How I cried. I also got angry. And now, I hope.
Today marks the end of Pride Month, but may PRIDE shine all year round.
Kalahating Bahaghari, penned by none other than National Artist Ricky Lee, is more than just a love letter to the LGBTQIA+ community. Written in Filipino, reading it feels like traveling back in time as if experiencing, through his complex characters, what it was like to live as queer during the Martial Law era, more than 50 years ago. The story is told from the perspective of a family (if we can even call it that, depending on how we define it), tracing their journey down the line to the present day.
Fifty years may sound like a long time ago but it hits close to home. It was the time of my parents, and perhaps your grandparents. For me, born in the early ’80s, it stirred nostalgia, memories, and beliefs. There are things I thought I understood but were challenged, enriched, and definitely moved by this book. I knew bits and pieces of these realities, but seeing them laid out as a whole brought so much insight. Moving forward, I know I have been changed.
I’ve always considered myself an ally and many people dear to me are LGBTQIA+. But, reading Kalahating Bahaghari ignited in me a greater sense of responsibility. I know I have to do more and to contribute in whatever way I can, to change the prejudices and injustices that still exist today.
I said this is more than a love letter- this book is a tribute, an honor for those who lived through those decades. This is about recognizing that while we have come a long way, it hasn’t always been like this. We have moved far from that dark period of grave prejudice when they weren’t free, not just as citizens, but even to be themselves. They denied who they were, hid, and bore the brunt of societal discrimination. Times when even your own family could be an unsafe space. But they soldiered on, and here we are today. Malayo na, pero malayo pa.
I feel this should be required reading because the lessons it imparts feel like learning from an LGBTQIA+ manual- only that it is not. These are well-told stories, drawn from people who lived that reality. I cried. How I cried. I also got angry. And now, I hope.
Today marks the end of Pride Month, but may PRIDE shine all year round.
August 25, 2025
Ang Kalahating Bahaghari ay hindi lang isang nobela. Regalo ito sa lahat ng baklang Pilipino.
Sa pagsentro ni Ricky Lee sa halos limang dekadang kuwento ng pamilya Marcelino, ipinakita niya na ang pamilya— bilang pinakamaliit at batayang unit ng lipunan— ay salamin mismo ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, partikular sa kung paano nito itinuring ang kabaklaan.
Sa panahon ng Batas Militar, ang kabaklaan ay isang bagay na dapat itago. Hindi ito normal katulad ng maraming bagay — ang maging komunista, militante, palaban. Hindi ito tanggap dahil taliwas ito sa karaniwang ayos ng lipunan at sistemang binuo ng mga nasa kapangyarihan.
Sa madaling salita, ipinakita ni Ricky Lee na ang kabaklaan ay pakikibaka at hindi ito hiwalay sa iba pang marhinalisadong sektor ng lipunan.
Sa paglipas ng panahon, kapansin-pansin sa nobela ang until-unting pagbago sa danas ng mga bakla. Oo, apektado ng panahon kung paano tayo kikilos at iiral. Pero idiniin din ng nobela na tayo ang bumabago sa panahon at tayo ang nagdidikta sa direksyon ng kasaysayan.
Kung ano man ang mga napagtagumpayang laban ng sangkabaklaan sa kasalukuyan ay dahil ‘yan sa deka-dekadang pagkilos, pagsulong ng mga batas, pagtutol sa sistema, at mga nasawing buhay ng mga bahagi komunidad.
Hindi paglipas ng oras ang nagdadala ng pagbabago. Tayo ang gagawa nito.
Maraming sensitibong paksa ang binigyang-pansin ng nobela tulad ng torture, sexual harassment, enforced disappearances, at iba’t ibang porma ng gender-based violence. Hindi lumihis ang nobela sa mga paksang ito bilang pagkilala na kailangan itong pag-usapan at kailangan itong ikuwento.
Tulad sa pamilya, ang mga problema at kontradiksyon ay masosolusyunan lamang kung magkakaroon tayo ng lakas at tapang na konprontahin ang ating mga pakiramdam at ilabas ang mga gusto nating ihayag.
Sa huli, hindi nakalimutan ng nobela na bagaman ang kabaklaan ay hindi hiwalay sa walang-humpay na paglaban, ito rin sa dulo ay isang selebrasyon.
Ang kabaklaan ay pagdiriwang ng ating identitad at totoong sarili.
Sa pagsentro ni Ricky Lee sa halos limang dekadang kuwento ng pamilya Marcelino, ipinakita niya na ang pamilya— bilang pinakamaliit at batayang unit ng lipunan— ay salamin mismo ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, partikular sa kung paano nito itinuring ang kabaklaan.
Sa panahon ng Batas Militar, ang kabaklaan ay isang bagay na dapat itago. Hindi ito normal katulad ng maraming bagay — ang maging komunista, militante, palaban. Hindi ito tanggap dahil taliwas ito sa karaniwang ayos ng lipunan at sistemang binuo ng mga nasa kapangyarihan.
Sa madaling salita, ipinakita ni Ricky Lee na ang kabaklaan ay pakikibaka at hindi ito hiwalay sa iba pang marhinalisadong sektor ng lipunan.
Sa paglipas ng panahon, kapansin-pansin sa nobela ang until-unting pagbago sa danas ng mga bakla. Oo, apektado ng panahon kung paano tayo kikilos at iiral. Pero idiniin din ng nobela na tayo ang bumabago sa panahon at tayo ang nagdidikta sa direksyon ng kasaysayan.
Kung ano man ang mga napagtagumpayang laban ng sangkabaklaan sa kasalukuyan ay dahil ‘yan sa deka-dekadang pagkilos, pagsulong ng mga batas, pagtutol sa sistema, at mga nasawing buhay ng mga bahagi komunidad.
Hindi paglipas ng oras ang nagdadala ng pagbabago. Tayo ang gagawa nito.
Maraming sensitibong paksa ang binigyang-pansin ng nobela tulad ng torture, sexual harassment, enforced disappearances, at iba’t ibang porma ng gender-based violence. Hindi lumihis ang nobela sa mga paksang ito bilang pagkilala na kailangan itong pag-usapan at kailangan itong ikuwento.
Tulad sa pamilya, ang mga problema at kontradiksyon ay masosolusyunan lamang kung magkakaroon tayo ng lakas at tapang na konprontahin ang ating mga pakiramdam at ilabas ang mga gusto nating ihayag.
Sa huli, hindi nakalimutan ng nobela na bagaman ang kabaklaan ay hindi hiwalay sa walang-humpay na paglaban, ito rin sa dulo ay isang selebrasyon.
Ang kabaklaan ay pagdiriwang ng ating identitad at totoong sarili.
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