JOEL LAMANGAN The level of respect accorded to LGBT people in the Philippines continues to grow with the help of filmmakers whose works play out their lives both realistically and sensibly. It helps that filmmakers play out the realistic, sensible and colorful lives of the LGBT community in their works. In this light, who can forget award-winning director Joel Lamangan of LGBT-themed films “Lihis,” “So… Happy Together,” and “Pusong Mamon”? In a recent interview, Joel thinks the stigma surrounding homosexuality is waning. ROSS PESIGAN, Shido Roxas and Max Collins “It’s time for respect, understanding and acceptance. No one should be laughing at them,” he said. “Certainly, they have feelings, too. I hope people don’t look at them as one-dimensional. There will always be gays, and the least people can do is to understand them, give them advice on how to become good human beings.” Joel’s latest output is, yet again, a gay-themed movie. Titled “Rainbow’s Sunset,” it is an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2018. It is not the first time a movie with such a theme has made it to the festival’s “Magic 8.” Before “Rainbow’s Sunset” were “Die Beautiful (2016)” and “Deadma Walking (2017).” EDDIE GARCIA, Gloria Romero and Tony Mabesa “Rainbow’s Sunset” is about an old man who comes out as gay to his children in his senior years, to take care of his ailing lover. Playing the role of gay lovers are seasoned actors Eddie Garcia and Tony Mabesa. The movie is said to be based on real-life story. “I find the film very relatable since I also experienced to be in a relationship with a man who has a wife,” Joel confessed, adding they eventually decided to call it quits. The 66-year-old director shared the lessons the audience will get from the movie. “This is a story about family. I guess, the take away here is… love your family regardless of his/her gender. You should not look at his/her sexuality, but look at his/her heart.” A SCENE from ‘Rainbow’s Sunset’ Others in the cast of “Rainbow Sunset” are Sunshine Dizon, Aiko Melendez, Gloria Romero, Noel Comia Jr, Shido Roxas and Ross Pesigan. In a separate interview, Shido revealed he and Ross have a so-called “intimate kissing scene.” They play the role of young Eddie and Tony, respectively. The 28-year-old actor shared Direk Joel assured him the shot will be artistically done. “When he told me, I was like, really? A kissing scene with a man? He answered me: ‘You don’t have to worry. This is all for the film.’ “So I told him ‘I’ll do it!’ and the outcome was very good. Thanks to Direk Joel’s words of encouragement,”’ he said. Produced by Heaven’s Best Entertainment, “Rainbow’s Sunset” is in cinemas nationwide.