2 Cool 2 Be Real? An Intersectional Queer Analysis of 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten and LGBTQ+ Representation in Philippine Cinema
Document Types
Paper Presentation
School Name
De La Salle University
Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)
Ferrer, Nathaniel Rey, D.
Start Date
23-6-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
23-6-2025 3:00 PM
Zoom Link/ Room Assignment
Y502
Abstract/Executive Summary
Queer representation in Philippine cinema has long been shaped by stereotypes, silences, and rigid societal norms. This limited portrayal discourages media creators from exploring diverse queer narratives, perpetuating one-dimensional depictions and reinforcing societal prejudice. This study examines 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, a coming-of-age film set in post-Pinatubo Pampanga, through a queer and intersectional lens, utilizing Herman’s Basic Elements of Narrative—situatedness, worldmaking, event sequencing, and “what it’s like”—as the analytical framework. Using qualitative film analysis and thematic content analysis, the researchers carefully coded scenes to explore how queer identity intersects with gender, age, class, and emotional experiences, and how these intersections shape both character development and narrative progression. Three central themes emerged: heteronormativity, toxic masculinity, and class disparities. These reveal that queerness in the film is portrayed subtly—through silence, repression, and unspoken tension—rather than overt expression. Additional themes, such as emotional repression, identity concealment, and familial dysfunction, highlight how these overlapping identities complicate relationships, restrict queer visibility, and drive the film’s emotional core. Queer identity in the narrative is not isolated but deeply influenced by economic struggle, masculine norms, and unstable family structures. Ultimately, the study finds that 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten offers a layered, intersectional, and realistic portrayal of queerness, emphasizing the need for more inclusive and complex queer storytelling in Philippine cinema.
Keywords
queer representation; gender and sexuality; film analysis; LGBTQ+ media studies; filipino media
Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)
Gender, Human Development, and the Individual (GHI)
Initial Consent for Publication
yes
Statement of Originality
yes
2 Cool 2 Be Real? An Intersectional Queer Analysis of 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten and LGBTQ+ Representation in Philippine Cinema
Queer representation in Philippine cinema has long been shaped by stereotypes, silences, and rigid societal norms. This limited portrayal discourages media creators from exploring diverse queer narratives, perpetuating one-dimensional depictions and reinforcing societal prejudice. This study examines 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten, a coming-of-age film set in post-Pinatubo Pampanga, through a queer and intersectional lens, utilizing Herman’s Basic Elements of Narrative—situatedness, worldmaking, event sequencing, and “what it’s like”—as the analytical framework. Using qualitative film analysis and thematic content analysis, the researchers carefully coded scenes to explore how queer identity intersects with gender, age, class, and emotional experiences, and how these intersections shape both character development and narrative progression. Three central themes emerged: heteronormativity, toxic masculinity, and class disparities. These reveal that queerness in the film is portrayed subtly—through silence, repression, and unspoken tension—rather than overt expression. Additional themes, such as emotional repression, identity concealment, and familial dysfunction, highlight how these overlapping identities complicate relationships, restrict queer visibility, and drive the film’s emotional core. Queer identity in the narrative is not isolated but deeply influenced by economic struggle, masculine norms, and unstable family structures. Ultimately, the study finds that 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten offers a layered, intersectional, and realistic portrayal of queerness, emphasizing the need for more inclusive and complex queer storytelling in Philippine cinema.
https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2025/paper_ghi/5
