There was neither quiver in her voice nor a glimmer of gathering tears in her eyes when Ace Bartolome talked about being a homosexual woman trying to make it in the local music scene. Ace Bartolome The 27-year-old singer, who happens to be the fourth runner-up in the Wishcovery competition, recalled her days as band member. She said that in some of their gigs, several people from the audience would give her a “sharp” look. “People said that I’m just doing dubsmash because my voice doesn’t fit my appearance,” she said in Filipino. When did she realize she likes girls more than boys, we asked. Well, in high school. Ace started coming out by changing how she dressed up; from long to short hair ala “Meteor Garden’s” F4, and to wearing sneakers than stilletos. “I can’t stop myself from doing that. Eventually, my titas, my family accepted me for who I am,” she shared. Ace never attempted to open up or talk about his gender preference to her family as she tried to express it only through “pahiwatig (giving hints).” She prefers for people to know that she’s a lesbian through her actions rather than being asked about it. Later, Ace would say she feels uncomfortable whenever she would enter a public comfort room, wishing that are lavatories solely for the LGBT community. “Every time I wear jacket or cap, I really look like a guy. So when I go inside the ladies’ comfort room, the people there look at me. “Sometime it hurts whenever people say ‘Ay, she is a lesbian.’ I mean, they already know but why do they have to say it. What’s the problem?” Though Ace embraces who she is, it is how some people deliver their disapproval that hurts her. “It’s like they show you you’re ‘Yuck,’” she said. “I hope they would simply respect what they see.” What’s her advice to people who are contemplating on coming out of the closet? “Just try to talk to the people around them. First, of course, is their family, find out if they could accept you for who you are. Then your friends who could be hard to englighten. Just talk. I believe everything could be cleared up by a good conversation.” Her style Ace was asked on her style as far as courting girls goes. Well, she revealed that her being a woman gives her the upper hand. “If you like girls then you are also a girl, it’s an advantage because you already know what they like and don’t like,” she said, smiling. (From left): Louie Anne Culala, Ace, Princess Sevillena, Kimberly Baluzo, and Carmela Ariola Ace said she had been in many relationship but she claimed the reason she broke up with her last girlfriend of two years was that the family of the girl allegedly couldn’t accept she is a lesbian. So what did she tell her girlfriend, we asked. “We followed her parents. Who am I, right? I admit there is no forever in this kind of relationship,” she said. “It also depends on the couple but for me, I just let go because I get really sad (if many people disagree). It’s like you can’t insist.” In any case, those heartbreaks help her emote when she sings. Ace added breakup songs are her specialty. Among her musical influences are Bruno Mars and Ice Seguerra. More blessings By now, Ace had already held her concert with the other Wishful 5 – Princess Sevillena, Kimberly Baluzo, Louie Anne Culala, and Carmela Ariola. Their much-awaited “Wishful Journey” concert last night was their first major project as bonafide recording artists since their online singing competition stint. The concert coincided with the unveiling of their debut album as the Wishful 5, released under Star Music. It is composed of 18 original and revival tracks. Ace’s track on the album is “Kaya Ko Ba” written by Kiko Salazar. According to her, the song is for those ditched by their partners. “It asks you, ‘Can you live life alone?’ I hope many people could relate to the song especially those who came from heartbreak,” she said. She is thankful to Wish 107.5 for opening doors for her. “Now that I’m with Wish, I have proven a lot of things to people. Regardless of my sexual preference, my gender identity, my fans love me,” she enthused. “I’m really happy that despite being a lesbian, doors are still opening for us. People are still giving us a chance to prove ourselves in this industry.” Ace believes her being lesbian has its advantages as far as finding her corner in the music industry goes. “I do have my own character and that’s an advantage because people will remember you.”