Thailand Special: sex transplants, elephants, and the Grand Palace

Episode on August 2, 2008 Saturday, 8:30 p.m. Each day brings Mhel closer to his dream of becoming a “real" woman. After having his sex-transplant operation last April in Thailand, Mhel proved his mettle in gay beauty pageants… and even found true love! The only thing missing in his life is the acceptance of his high school teachers. For the first time in Philippine television, Mhel will reveal his “new" identity to his beloved mentors! Mhel is just one of the thousand homosexuals lured by the promise of a “norma;" life in the “Sex Change Capital of the World"… Bangkok, Thailand! Among the hottest medical institutions in the country is Yanhee General Hospital… and their most controversial patient is none other than the “Beautiful Boxer" Nong Toom… a famous gay Muai Thai Champion. From sex change, Thailand is also known for its great elephants. Before, they used to roam the mountains. But the slowly denuding forests forced these elephants to stomp their way into the city! Tourists also flock Thailand’s unique shopping haven… the floating markets! And visit the historical Grand Palace… former house of the King of Thailand. These stories and more in the Thailand Special of 2008 US International Film and Video Festival Silver Screen Awardee, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (One at Heart, Jessica Soho) this Saturday at 8:30 pm.

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Malapit nang maging ganap ang “pagkababae" ni Mhel… isang bading. Nagpa-sex change siya sa Thailand noong Abril. Sulit daw ang ibinayad niya dahil mula nang siya’y operahan, sunod-sunod na ang panalo niya sa mga gay beauty pageant. Natagpuan na rin niya ang pag-ibig! Iisa na lang daw ang kulang sa buhay niya… ang pagtanggap ng mga kaibigan niyang guro rito sa Pilipinas. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, haharap siya sa mga dati niyang guro bilang babae! Isa lang si Mhel salibo-libong homosexuals na nagpapapalit ng kasarian sa Bangkok, Thailand--- ang “Sex Change Capital of the World." Dito, hindi lang katanggap-tanggap ang pagiging bakla… pinagkakakitaan pa! Dinarayo ng mga turista ang mga institusyon tulad ng Yanhee General Hospital… ang pinaka-kontrobersyal na pasyente nila… walang iba kungdi si Nong Toom, ang bading na Muai Thai Champion na tinaguriang “Beautiful Boxer." Kilala rin ang Thailand sa kanilang mga elepante! Dati ay sa mga kagubatan lang sila makikita, pero ngayon, gumagala na rin sila sa mga lansangan ng Bangkok para mamalimos! Sa Samphran district naman matatagpuan ang Elephant Ground and Zoo… tahanan ng pinakabonggang elephant shows sa Thailand! Bisitahin din natin ang floating market at Grand Palace… dating tirahan ng Hari ng Thailand. Ilan lang ito sa mga makukulay na kuwentong aabangan sa Thailand special ng 2008 US International Film and Video Festival Silver Screen Awardee, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho ngayong Sabado, 8:30 ng gabi