A scathing open letter written by a concerned netizen, Sho Komori, is gaining traction online after calling out Ricky Reyes, Renee Salud, and Toni Gonzaga for their remarks in a controversial Toni Talks Pride Month episode.
Komori, who described his reaction as one of heartbreak—not hate—slammed the trio for turning what could have been a meaningful conversation into what he called “a platform for outdated advice, internalized homophobia, and dangerous romanticization of suffering.”
The interview, which featured Reyes and Salud—both respected figures in beauty and fashion—sparked online uproar after they expressed opposition to same-sex marriage and the SOGIE Equality Bill. Reyes also shared troubling stories from his past, including instances of abuse which he framed as “tough love.”
“Tough love? No. That’s abuse,” Komori wrote. “The fact that you carry this trauma and still frame it as necessary shows how deep the pain runs—and how much of it you’ve normalized.”
He also criticized Reyes’ advice on romantic relationships, where gay men are encouraged to give more than they receive, accept that they might never be truly loved, and expect abandonment. “You’re not just setting the bar low. You’re burying it,” Komori said.
Komori didn’t spare Salud either. While the designer spoke about continuous learning in fashion, Komori pointed out the glaring contradiction. “When it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights, safety, and dignity, you’re stuck in a time warp—romanticizing endurance over liberation.”
The letter also called out Toni Gonzaga for giving a platform to views that undermine the very purpose of Pride Month. “You chose to feature two icons who actively oppose the SOGIE Bill, who promote submissive martyrdom as advice, and who proudly reinforce that the ‘bakla’ will never be truly equal,” Komori wrote.
Reyes’ claim that he helped stop the passage of the SOGIE Bill and his quip comparing LGBTQIA+ identity to “baklang hamburger” particularly drew Komori’s ire. “So proud of stopping a bill that would’ve protected people from violence, discrimination, and systemic exclusion—just because you don’t see the value of your own humanity beyond what makes others comfortable?”
The letter closes with a defiant message:
“We are whole. We are worthy. And we’re done shrinking to fit the mold you found safety in.”
“Pride is about progress, not nostalgia. It’s about resistance, not performance. It’s about dignity, not just survival.”
