An Intersectional Textual Analysis of Lesbian Representation in Baka Bukas and Si Chedeng at Si Apple

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Sofia Lorraine V. Dela Peña, De La Salle University, LagunaFollow
Mikaela Zaira V. Aguilar, De La Salle University, LagunaFollow
Belle Beatrix Alemania, De La Salle UniversityFollow

Document Type

Paper Presentation

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Alemania, Belle Beatriex’

Abstract/Executive Summary

Media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of gender and sexuality, yet representations of queer female characters in Philippine cinema remain underexplored. While portrayals of bakla characters have been widely studied, lesbian narratives often remain sidelined or framed through limited, stereotypical lenses. This research examines lesbian characters in the films Baka Bukas (2016) and Si Chedeng at Si Apple (2017), using Herman’s Narrative Framework and Intersectionality Theory. The study found that both films construct lesbian identities within specific socio-cultural contexts, revealing how queer women navigate visibility, relationships, and societal expectations in different ways. Baka Bukas emphasizes the quiet negotiation of identity within modern urban spaces, portraying queerness as visible yet constrained. At the same time, Si Chedeng at Si Apple uses humor and journey motifs to explore queer expression in later life, challenging traditional gender and age norms. Through event sequencing, world-building, and disruption, both films reveal how personal agency, cultural pressures, and intersectional identities shape lesbian experiences in contemporary Filipino cinema. These portrayals reflect both the limitations and possibilities of queer female representation, highlighting the need for broader, more inclusive narratives.

Keywords

queer female character; Herman's narrative framework; intersectionality; portrayal; textual analysis