Nic Chien, the son of theater icon Lea Salonga, revealed that he is bisexual.
Speaking with TV host and veteran journalist Korina Sanchez on Rated Korina earlier this week, the theater actor shared his journey as a transgender man and opened up about his gender identity and sexual orientation.
According to the University of the Philippines Diliman Gender Office, gender identity is “one's personal conception of one's own gender, refers to how a person thinks about oneself.” This includes being a transgender, an “identity label for individuals who whose gender identity, gender expression, or behavior does not conform to the constructs associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.” Sexual orientation, on the other hand, is “one’s pattern of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to other people.” This encompasses being a bisexual, where “individuals whose sexual and/or romantic attractions are not limited to one sex and/or gender.”
READ: Nic Chien celebrates milestone in transition journey after undergoing top surgery
During the interview, Nic shared that even in grade school, he already knew that he was attracted to both boys and girls. As he grew older, his understanding of himself became clearer, especially when he began to feel discomfort with how he looked.
“Aesthetically – because I like to draw – from an artist's standpoint, seeing the human body is nice. But I didn’t want it for me. I didn't want a female form for me,” Nic said, explaining how those feelings played a role in realizing that he is transgender.
He emphasized that being bisexual and being a trans man are not contradictory, as they describe different aspects of who he is. Nic also acknowledged that his journey included a period of uncertainty.
“I think like [it was] for 2 years or so. I was gender fluid for a while, but I figured that I am bisexual. I am okay with saying that out loud. I figured that out in Grade 5. I’m attracted to my friends who are girls, but I am also attracted to guys,” he shared.
READ: Lea Salonga shares how she supported her child Nic Chien into transitioning
Nic said he was able to put words to his feelings at a young age, but he also understood his parents’ hesitation when he first spoke about labels. They reminded him that there was no need to rush and that he could take his time figuring things out. When he was sure about himself, he recalled how his parents openly accepted him for who he was, especially his mother.
“I figured it out pretty early. I remember telling my mom at around 11 [years old] or so, ‘Mama, I think I’m bisexual.’ And she was like, ‘Okay’, that’s it,” he exclaimed.
Despite being accepted by his parents for both being bisexual and a trans man, Nic is aware that there will be people who have different views on his situation and that there may also be those like him who are bullied for expressing themselves. With this, he offered some advice to those navigating similar paths of dealing with negative comments online.
“There are going to be bad comments. If you look at all [of] them all the time, then you’re only going to feel terrible. The good comments, try to focus on that instead. No matter where you go, there will be people that don’t like you and that’s okay,” he said.
Sharing how he personally handles criticism, Nic added, “I figured, the [negative comments] really doesn’t matter. These people’s minds are never going to change. If they hate me, I don’t think they’re going to change their minds. Because they hate me for a reason that I cannot exactly control. I didn’t do anything to them, and they don’t like me and that’s okay.”
Throughout the interview, Nic highlighted how supportive his parents have been with his personal choices. Almost one year into his hormonal therapy, he assured that both his parents are all for the better of it, even now that they have separated.
As news about his parents' separation recently made a buzz online, Nic also took time to clarify the situation, emphasizing that respect and care remain within their family.
“My parents are on very good terms. My dad never cheated on my mom. My parents are still friends. They love each other but they do not love each other romantically. They care for each other very much and they both love me very much. They can both pursue relationships and it’s totally fine with me,” Nic said.
“My dad is with another woman, a very lovely woman. She is my stepmother and I love her very much. It doesn't mean I am betraying my mom. I love my mom, of course more because she is my biological mom, you know? I love my parents, that’s all there is to say,” he added.
Thriving in both his personal life and career as a theater actor, Nic is all set to hit the stage and star in Sandbox Collective’s Spring Awakening as Moritz Stiefel from February 13 to March 22, 2026.