Defying Barriers: The Thriving Careers of 2 Viral Personalities in a Nontraditional Setting

Stages, pageants, comedy clubs, make-up, fashion. These are the words often linked with the gay community when it comes to career choices, jobs, and the workforce. So when one hears phrases such as "Bading na guard," "Baklang construction worker," or "Gay Pares Owner," they are met with a mixture of amusement and unbelief as they are not the typical jobs people might expect from gays to pursue. These expectations were driven by the prevailing stereotypes and preconceived notions that have confined the LGBTQ+ community to specific roles and landscapes.

In a society that usually holds many gender stereotypes, Gerald and Diwata refuse to conform to the typical career paths often associated with gays. These two personalities, who had recently taken social media by storm, are setting examples that there is no one-size-fits-all identity. They are breaking barriers by choosing professions traditionally dominated by other genders.

The Dancing Slaycurity Guard, Gerald Concan

Gerald Concan is the security guard who went viral because of his TikTok video joining the "Water" dance trend based on South African singer Tyla's song. The video of them dancing gracefully garnered an impressive 13.7 million views.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time Concan has showcased their dance skills to a broad audience. In 2019, Concan appeared on National Television as a contestant in Eat Bulaga's segment "Bawal Judgmental," where they also slayed the dance choreography of Momoland's "Bboom Bboom."

But before Gerald found allure in their current life, they faced challenging circumstances. In an interview with One Ph, Concan shared their life story before becoming a security guard. They started a job as a child where they worked as a scavenger alongside their grandmother, who looked after them.

However, after their grandmother's passing, Concan ventured to Metro Manila in search of jobs. Their early days in the city were far from easy. They found themselves sleeping on overpasses, consuming leftover popcorn from cinemas to fill their stomach.

But then, because of Concan’s perseverance and the will to escape that difficult life, they sought work that would suffice until they could apply as a security guard.

Before their viral video, Concan worked in one of the malls in Quezon City. However, despite the widespread enjoyment of Concan's TikTok dance videos, it appears that the management was displeased, leading to a temporary termination of their contract. Some netizens speculated that their sexuality might have played a role. Still, according to Concan, the management's reason is merely upon upholding the company's image and logo.

Concan chose to challenge the decision and fought for their job. Their efforts were successful, and they were reinstated. While the viral TikTok video initially posed challenges to their job, it also opened doors to various opportunities such as television guesting, interviews, and performances.

Gerald fearlessly expresses their identity without concealment in a profession often linked with manliness and masculinity. Their choice to proudly show who they were challenges the expectations imposed by society not only on the role of a security guard but also in terms of preconceived notions about individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. As a gay man thriving in an unconventional career, Concan proves that one's identity should not be compromised due to traditional expectations, and anyone can excel in any job, regardless of gender.

Diwata: from Scavenger to Construction Worker to being a Proud Owner of Pares Overload

Gerald's narrative closely mirrors that of Diwata. Starting from nothing, they began working as a scavenger living under a bridge. It can also be recalled that Diwata once made headlines for treating the police station like a pageant stage with her signature pageant line, despite being beaten and stabbed by friends they caught using drugs. Eight years after that accident, Diwata is now a proud small business owner of a Pares shop in Pasay.

Before venturing into that pares business, Diwata explored other jobs, such as working in construction. During this time, they participated as a contestant in the Miss Q&A segment of the popular noontime show, "It's Showtime," this time gracing an actual pageant on National television.

They then started selling coffee, cigarettes, and candies until they acquired the means to purchase the cooking materials needed to start her business. This marked the turning point in their journey towards the success of their shop.

Located in J.W Diokno BLVD, Pasay, they offer a menu featuring items such as pares with lechon kawali, chicharon bulaklak, beef pares, and mami, with prices ranging from 70 to 100 pesos. Their business gained popularity among the masses and became a trending topic on TikTok. Famous influencers such as Madam Ely and Juancho Trivino also visited their shop. Owing to their viral presence on TikTok, people from different parts of Metro Manila came to her place to savor the affordable and flavorful specialty of Diwata Pares Overload.

Diwata's rise from living under a bridge to owning their house and car is a testament to the transformative power of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

“Walang kasarian sa pag-pa-pares.” Diwata's message serves as a reminder to challenge the forces that seek to confine you to your gender. It's a step toward a career where everyone, regardless of their gender, has an equal shot at success.

The stories of Gerald and Diwata send a powerful message that people shouldn't be boxed by society's predefined ideals and expectations. They inspire us, especially the gay community, that everyone can thrive in whatever career they choose, regardless of the limitations society may attempt to impose.

May this serve as an eye-opener to abandon the imposition of gender roles and stereotypes. We all hope that the term "unconventional careers" will eventually cease to exist as society embraces a more inclusive perspective on diverse career choices.