Filipina trans reporter shares experience of being denied entry in Macau

“We left Manila on April 16. We arrived around 9:30 p.m… and honestly, I didn’t expect anything unusual. Pero pagdating sa immigration in Macau, dun na nag-iba lahat.

“Hindi nila ako pinatuloy while my other colleague, nakapasok. Instead, I was brought to a separate room. Doon na ako kinabahan. Pinag-fill out ako ng forms, including how much money I had. I answered everything honestly,” she said.

Complete documents, zero explanation

She added she had documents and a small amount of cash, while their travel expenses were stated as covered by the Stevie Awards.

“Our company provided us allowance but hindi ko pa siya fully nawi-withdraw because nagastos na sa pre-departure expenses. May cash din ako na P3,700. And nakalagay naman sa invitation namin na covered ng Stevie yung travel expenses.”

Despite this, Yoniel said she was transferred to another office without a proper interview or explanation.

“So in my head, okay naman lahat. Complete naman ako pero nilipat pa rin ako sa another office. Walang proper interview. Walang explanation. I had all the documents bank account, return ticket, formal invitation kumpleto talaga,” she said.

She said she waited alone for more than two hours before being informed of the decision.

“More than two hours akong nandoon… Hanggang sa sinabi na lang bigla denied entry. Wala masyadong explanation,” she recalled.

“We tried asking for help even reaching out to the Philippine Consulate. Pero sabi nila, sovereign decision daw talaga,” she added.

The sting of systemic stigma

Yoniel said she could not help but question the reason behind the denial.

“So napaisip ako… bakit ako? Hindi naman sa documents. Hindi sa pera. Hindi sa purpose. I can’t help but feel na it’s because I’m trans.”

She also noted reading similar accounts involving transgender travelers facing stigma.

“May stigma talaga. And honestly… ang sakit lang isipin na nadadamay ka sa ganun,” she said. “But somehow, that night, I was treated like I didn’t belong there. Nakakalungkot. Nakaka-frustrate. Nakakaubos ng energy.”

She clarified she shared her experience not to spark conflict, but to highlight reality.

“And I’m sharing this not to start anything, but just to be real about what happened because this is the reality for some of us,” she said.

Yoniel has since safely returned to Manila.