It is a fictional story set in the real world. It is perfectly directed, well-executed, and deserving of everyone’s interest hailed as Netflix-worthy story. And guess what, they got an award they deserve – the unwanted scrutiny of the public.
Ever since the community quarantine started due to the unprecedented growth of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines caused by the incompetence of the government, people keep on looking for something to hold them busy. Perhaps, most of us grab the opportunity to either binge-watch our favorite K-Drama series or make the most out of our premium subscription on Netflix. There are also some, actually, just a handful of them, choose to review their notes and enrolled themselves in online classes. Regardless of how you spend your “quarantine life,” you deserve no judgment. Days have passed and we feel like we already had exhausted everything on the internet. Not until the night of March 30 when the Twitter world made a noise loud enough to reach someone like me who’s not even active on Twitter. It was a Twitter thread by Jzan Vern Tero, a transwoman and a victim of catfishing. It was a lengthy thread and I bet you know every detail of it.
The Cast
It is like any typical story which has a battered protagonist and devilish antagonists. The same applies to the catfishing incident which topped the worldwide trending list on Twitter. The story involves at least 3 characters: Jzan Tero, the victim; Sam Morales, the evil mastermind/puppeteer; and Bill Iver Reyes who eventually identified to be Bilko Argana, the puppet, and a rapist. There are other individuals involved in this conundrum and their identities are yet to be disclosed as of writing this article. Jzan Tero is a transwoman college student from Cebu who claimed to be a victim of catfishing or the “act of luring men or women into a relationship using a fictional online persona.” As someone longing for true love, Jzan risked by meeting guys through online dating platforms like Tinder where she was matched with Bil Iver Reyes or Bilko Argana in real life. Argana is a freelance model working in Manila. Sam Morales came in the picture when she introduced herself as a cousin of Bil Reyes. However, when everything unfolded, Morales turned out to be the mastermind of the entire fiasco. She was behind the online identity of Bill Iver Reyes and she allegedly forced Bilko Argana to be the stand-in boyfriend. She describes herself as a “dedicated and meticulous multimedia artist” who worked with celebrities like Alex Gonzaga, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Kim Chiu to name a few. She also worked for big brands like H&M, Teviant, and Jag. More than being a thriving artist, Sam Morales is a liar, transphobic, manipulator and social predator.
The Plot
To cut the story short Jzan was a victim of catfishing by a woman who manipulated and uses her male assistant as a cloak to satisfy her fetish of hurting the Trans community. For 8 long, traumatic months, Jzan endured her bittersweet relationship with someone who’s technically unknown to her. They exchanged sweet messages. They also had some fights just like any couple out there. Yet, Jzan, who admitted being “marupok,” holds up to the last string just to keep their unconventional relationship. They also attempted to see each other in person but most of the time it ended up being canceled until Jzan found the true identity of Bil Iver Reyes through social media with the help of her friends. She was devastated for knowing the truth. But before ending her relationship with him, the transwoman wants “closure.” She messaged Sam Morales asking her to help in fixing her problem with Bilko and to finally have closure. Sam vowed to do her best in convincing Bilko to talk to Jzan for the last time. It eventually happened. Bilko asked forgiveness and Jzan forgave. However, it did not end there. The two continue to talk to each other for a couple of months. Until one time when the stars aligned, Jzan and Bilko, with the help of Sam, got the chance to see each other in Manila. They spent the entire day together. When Sam left, the couple finally had their private moments together. Jzan asked Bilko for a kiss, but he didn’t want to until apparently, Bilko started f*cking her. “Masaya ka na?” Bilko asked her after their sex which is, by the way, happened without the consent of Jzan. The transwoman felt molested. After the encounter, everything was unveiled. Bilko divulged that their entire relationship was fabricated by Sam Morales.
An unusual addiction of a traumatized child
After the big revelation of the entire show, Sam Morales confirmed that she was the one behind the identity of Bil Iver Reyes. She confessed that it was not Bilko who exchanges messages with Jzan but instead it was her. As a defense, she told Jzan that what she did was caused by a traumatic experience during her childhood. According to the thread of Jzan, Sam was bullied by gay people when she was young. The homophobic uncle of Sam made a revenge for her. He manipulated one of the gay people to fall in love with him and eventually break up. This absurd “legacy” was passed down to Sam until it became her “addiction.” She was invested and passionate about what she was doing that she is willing to spend a lot of money on foolishness. Aside from Jzan Tero, other transwomen claimed that they were caught on the trap of Sam Morales. Accordingly, they would victimize Trans or gay people, make them fall in love and then ghost them. It appears like before we had a Gerald Anderson, there is a Sam Morales.
Sam Morales and the transphobia in PH
The case of Sam Morales is not just a catfishing incident; it also pictures the status quo of transphobia in our homeland. At this age and time where acceptance and respect for the “rainbow community” are thriving, it is sad to hear stories that bring back horrible memories. History tells us that Trans people where once objectified as means to satisfy sexual desires. They were even accused as perpetrators of catfishing because of their sexual orientation and gender identities. In the case of Jzan Tero, it is clear that Transgender people are the true victims of longstanding hate and discrimination against them. Playing with someone’s feelings regardless of gender can never be justified by anything, not even a childhood trauma.
With the drastic reaction from the LGBTQIA+ community and the online world, the curtain has finally closed for Sam Morales, Bilko Argana and company.
DISCLAIMER: To give Sam Morales the benefit of the doubt, everything in this article is based on statements of Jzan Vern Tero published through Twitter and some research of the writer. Sam Morales remains silent as of writing. All her social media accounts are deactivated.
