Living with a Virus, Dying from Stigma: A Psychological-Sociological and Gender Analysis of Kalel,15
- deskvalor
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
By: Quian Fuertez
Introduction
Kalel,15 (2019), a film written and directed by Jun Robles Lana, stars Elijah Canlas as a young 15-year-old boy who tests positive for HIV. As the son of a pastor and a mother who runs an eatery, Kalel’s HIV diagnosis is kept secret, reflecting societal stigma and religious hypocrisy. Despite living a seemingly normal teenage life having friends, playing basketball, and falling in love with a girl, his world shrinks as he struggles with isolation. The film presents a raw, unfiltered look at how societal norms fail the vulnerable. Through a psychological, sociological, and gender approach, Kalel,15 exposes the profound stigma and neglect of marginalized youths with HIV. Rather than sexualizing it, The analysis will explore Kalel's internal struggles with identity and isolation, the societal forces that reinforce discrimination and hypocrisy, and the role of gender and sexuality in shaping his experiences, ultimately revealing how the film critiques the failure of both personal and institutional support systems.
Body
A narrative of solitude and self-destruction unfolds as Kalel, a 15-year-old teenager living with an absent mother, a secretive priest father, and struggles with his HIV diagnosis. Seeking refuge in risky behavior, he is left by himself to navigate life without proper guidance. The film shows themes of abandonment, secrecy, and societal prejudice, reflecting the broader issue of institutional neglect towards vulnerable youth. The absence of his parents defines Kalel’s experience. His father, a religious figure, epitomizes the hypocrisy within its moral institution, while his mother prioritizes personal desires over parental duty. Isolation compels Kalel toward destructive choices, reinforcing the cycle of negligence. The absence of his parents forces Kalel into a world where self-reliance becomes a necessity rather than a choice. Kalel navigates his emotional turmoil without guidance or support. The film explores institutional neglect, internalized stigma, and societal alienation, reflecting the broader issue faced by many Filipino youth grappling with similar struggles (Mateo, 2004).
Critical Analysis
From a sociological perspective, Kalel,15 exposes the failure of social institutions, family, and religion to
adequately support vulnerable individuals, particularly teenagers with HIV, as systemic inequalities and conservative moral ideologies exacerbate his suffering. The film highlights the way systematic inequalities and conservative moral ideologies become a factor in Kalel’s suffering. A rigid and judgemental society exacerbates his predicament, leaving him with few options for support. The silence surrounding discussions of sexuality and HIV in Philippine culture forces young individuals like Kalel into isolation, deepening their struggles (Kontomanolis, 2017). The film critiques these systemic failures but does not offer pathways to dismantling oppressive structures.
Psychologically, Kalel’s situation and behavior are an exemplar of deep-seated trauma. His reckless sexual
encounters, detachment from emotions, and self-destructive tendencies are symptomatic of a neglected child seeking validation in a world that continuously denies him of it. The absence of a secure and trustworthy attachment like a father figure leaves him vulnerable to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Rather than portraying his choices as mere rebellion, the film subtly suggests that his actions stem from an unconscious effort to exert control over his fragmented identity. The psychological distress presented in the film effectively conveys the reality of youth struggling with neglect and social rejection, yet the film reduces Kalel to a symbol of suffering rather than a fully realized individual capable of resilience.
A gendered lens will reveal the oppressive expectation placed upon masculinity within a patriarchal society
(Mburu, 2014). Kalel’s father represents the contradiction between institutional morality and real-life behavior, exposing the hypocrisy embedded in religious structures. Without strong male role models, Kalel constructs his perception of masculinity through peer influence and risky behaviors, reinforcing never-ending cycles of recklessness and secrecy. The absence of nuanced discussions on gender diversity and LGBTQIA+ experiences limits the film’s exploration of how HIV stigma intersects with queer identity, leaving an unexplored dimension of the film (Green, 2007). However, a deeper exploration of hope and resistance could have made its societal impact more compelling.
Conclusion
A sociological, psychological, and gendered approach to critiquing Kalel,15 reveals a deeply unsettling yet significant portrayal of systemic negligence, stigma, and institutional hypocrisy (Sison, 2022). The film succeeds in bringing light to the intersection of poverty, family dysfunction, and toxic ideas of society regarding masculinity, making it a valuable commentary on the struggles faced by marginalized youth in the Philippines. The raw storytelling and unfiltered realism enhance its impact, effectively exposing the societal failures that push vulnerable individuals into cycles of secrecy and self-destruction. However, its unrelenting bleakness and lack of alternative narratives limit a more holistic representation of resilience and agency among the affected youth.
As an overall commentary, Kalel,15 is both intriguing and troubling. While it effectively highlights the oppressive
structures that shape Kalel’s teenage life, its overwhelmingly grim perspective risks reinforcing a sense of inevitability rather than inspiring critical disclosure on reform and empowerment. The film remains an important piece of Philippine cinema, but a more nuanced exploration of hope and resistance would have strengthened its societal impact.
REFERENCES LIST
Green, A. I. (2007). Queer theory and sociology: Locating the subject and the self in sexuality studies. Sociological Theory, 25(1), 26–45.
Kontomanolis, E. N., Michalopoulos, S., Gkasdaris, G., & Fasoulakis, Z. (2017). The social stigma of HIV/AIDS: Society’s role. HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care, 9, 111–118.
Mateo, R., Sarol, J. N., & Poblete, R. (2004). HIV/AIDS in the Philippines. AIDS Education and Prevention, 16, 43–52.
Mburu, G., Ram, M., Siu, G., Bitira, D., Skovdal, M., & Holland, P. (2014). Intersectionality of HIV stigma and masculinity in eastern Uganda: Implications for involving men in HIV programmes. BMC Public Health, 14(1).
Sison, O. T., Baja, E. S., Bermudez, A. N. C., Quilantang, M. I. N., Dalmacion, G. V., Guevara, E. G., Garces-Bacsal, R. M., Hemingway, C., Taegtmeyer, M., Operario, D., & Biello, K. B. (2022). Association of anticipated HIV testing stigma and provider mistrust on preference for HIV self-testing among cisgender men who have sex with men in the Philippines. BMC Public Health, 22(1).
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