Why This Ladyboy Left Baguio to Build a Better Life on Walking Street

Most visitors only see Walking Street after sunset, when the neon lights come on and the nightlife begins. They rarely hear the stories of the people who travel hundreds of kilometers just for the chance to earn a living.

When we interviewed a transgender Filipina originally from Koronadal City, she explained that her recent stop in Baguio was only temporary. Her real goal was returning to Angeles City, where she believed she had a better chance of earning enough money to support her family.

"I send money to my mom every month."

That single sentence revealed more about her motivation than anything else in the interview. For her, Walking Street wasn't simply nightlife—it was work.

From Koronadal to Angeles City

She introduced herself as someone originally from Koronadal City in Mindanao before explaining that she had recently spent two weeks visiting relatives in Baguio.

After the vacation, she returned to Angeles City.

This wasn't her first time living there.

She had already spent around six years in the city, working different jobs before entering the nightlife scene.

Long before Walking Street, she earned a living selling vegetables at a public market.

The work was physically demanding and required long hours.

Although honest work, the income was limited, making it difficult to build the future she wanted.

Eventually, she looked for better opportunities.

Supporting Family From Far Away

One theme came up repeatedly throughout the interview: family.

She comes from a large household with nine siblings and said she is the fourth oldest.

While most of her brothers and sisters now have families of their own, she still feels responsible for helping her mother financially.

"Every month, I send money to my mom."

Even though she now lives far from home, supporting her family remains one of the main reasons she continues working in Angeles City.

Her long-term boyfriend still lives back in General Santos, making the distance another challenge she has to manage.

When asked whether she worries about him finding someone else, she admitted she simply doesn't know.

Instead of dwelling on uncertainty, she focuses on earning enough to continue supporting her family.

Discovering Her Identity Early

The interview also explored her personal journey.

She explained that she knew she was different from an early age.

"I was seven years old."

That was when she first understood she was attracted to men.

She spoke naturally about her identity and didn't describe it as something that happened suddenly later in life.

Her family eventually accepted who she was, allowing her to live openly as herself.

Although she identifies as transgender, she said she has never taken hormones.

Instead, she chooses to present herself naturally.

That decision reflects how diverse transgender

experiences are across the Philippines.

No two stories are exactly alike.

Life as a Freelancer on Walking Street

She has now been working as a freelancer around Walking Street for about a year.

Unlike dancers or entertainers employed by bars, freelancers search for customers independently.

Some weeks are better than others.

When asked how often she finds customers, she answered honestly.

"About once a week."

That answer surprised many viewers who assume nightlife work always provides a steady income.

Like many jobs tied to tourism, earnings depend heavily on how busy the city is and how many visitors are in town.

Some nights are successful.

Others are quiet.

A Simple Dream

Toward the end of the interview, the conversation turned toward the future.

Unlike many people who dream about moving abroad, she gave a surprisingly simple answer.

"I just want to live here in Angeles."

She wasn't talking about luxury.

She wasn't talking about fame.

She simply wanted stability.

Asked whether she hoped to have children someday, she smiled and said no.

Instead, her focus remains on building a life where she can support herself while continuing to help her family back home.

More Than a Nightlife Worker

People often make assumptions about anyone working around Walking Street.

Interviews like this remind us that every person arrives there for different reasons.

Some are saving money.

Some are helping parents.

Some are supporting younger siblings.

For this transgender Filipina, the journey from Koronadal to Baguio and finally back to Angeles City wasn't about chasing excitement.

It was about responsibility.

Behind every conversation on Walking Street is a life story that usually begins long before anyone steps onto the famous street.

FAQ

Why did she move to Angeles City?

She said Angeles City offered better opportunities to earn money than the jobs she previously held selling vegetables in the public market.

Does she support her family?

Yes. She explained that she sends money to her mother every month while working in Angeles City.

Has she always identified as transgender?

She said she realized she was different when she was around seven years old and has lived openly since then.