It's not just about the politics of gay marriages.

It's also about employment opportunities, poverty alleviation and socio-economic concerns of the "lower" class to which some 70 percent of the contry's "closeted" and openly-gay community belong.

This is why Pro-Gay Philippines gets involved in "economic, social, cultural and political issues" in their bid to be recognized.

In an interview yesterday, Oscar Atadero, Pro-Gay spokesperson, explained that for them economic issues take precedence.

"Walang masama na ang isang kandidato ay mag-push for gay marriages pero giving gay rights is useless if there are no jobs and food," he said.  (There is nothing wrong with candidates pushing for gay marriages.)

Atadero described most Filipino gays as "walang tiyak na trabaho.  Kung meron man, kumikita sila ng below minimum o kaya biktima ng labor-only contracting."

(They don't have fixed jobs.  If they do, they earn below the minimum wage or they are victims of labor-only contracting.)

Like other gay groups, Pro-Gay is also pushing for "political issues like equal treatment regardless of sexual orientation, discrimination at workplaces and same-sex marriages."

Pro-Gay is a national organization with some 500 members.

Despite their concerns, Atadero said they do not see the national elections as a chance to voice their concerns to political hopefuls.

Pro-Gay believes "things have not changed" since the last election and that the observation that the "quality" of candidates has "deteriorated" is "even true today."

Thus, the organization is not supporting candidates seeking national posts this year although Atadero said they are "open" to local aspirants.

He explained that those vying for local positions are easier to approach on the promises they make during the campaign.

"Ang mga national candidates, hindi makuhanan ng commitment," he said.  (You can't get any commitment from national candidates.)

Pro-Gay will not campaign against certain candidates but Atadero said they will issue statements on what they dislike about certain hopefuls.

Those who made it to their "disliked" list are Lammp presidential candidate Joseph Estrada for an anti-gay statement he made; Pasig congressional hopeful Arnulfo Acedera for saying gays are not welcome in the military; and presidential candidate Francisco "Kit" Tatad for being a moralist.

Pro-Gay is expanding its "presence" in other areas.   So far, Atadero said the organization has established itself in Metro Manila as well as Baguio, Davao and General Santos cities.

Atadero was in Cebu to start organizing a group in Cordova.  When asked about his impression on the acceptance of gays here, he replied, "napaka-closed compared to Manila and Davao."

"Malakas pa rin ang influence ng colonial mentality," he added.

It is because of this culture that Atadero said they do not have dreams of becoming a voting bloc.