WE'VE been constantly regaled by TV-film actors, both foreign and local, having a gay time in gender-bending roles. Who could forget Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie," or our very own Dolphy as the swishy Fefita Fofonggay vda. de Falayfay? In recent memory, Kevin Kline had the biggest coming-out party in "In & Out," and Robin Williams flew oh, so high in "The Birdcage."

Here are a four actors who have played, or are currently essaying gay roles on film and television-brave souls who have set aside fears of stereotyping or personal attacks just to breathe life into to the characters they portray. Without batting their eyelashes, Alan Paule, Dominic Ochoa, Raymond Bagatsing and Roderick Paulate share what it's like to be gay in front of the camera.

Dominic Ochoa is Ulysses in the daily dramedy, "Labs Ko si Babes."

"I look at it as a role and it's turning out to be a really wonderful part. Initially, I had some apprehensions about, you know, how the audience would react. I was more afraid about the viewers in far-flung areas, that they would get to know me more as Ulysses rather than Dominic.

"I had to meet with my manager (Boy Abunda) to seriously discuss whether to accept it or nor. But it was too tempting and a rare chance to show what I've got, so we finally said yes. I didn't have too much of a problem getting into my role because I have lots of friends and colleagues who are gay. And I'm quite secure with my sexual orientation, so there's no problem regarding that.

"Of course, I get a lot of kantiyaw from my friends, but it's all in the spirit of fun. They know me better. And my family is so supportive, we can all laugh at what I'm doing.

"I am really enjoying this. In fact, I have gotten close to most of the members in the cast. Pagdating ko sa set, si Dominic ako, pero pag taping na, I transform into Ulysses, parang lagi akong may kasamang fairy godmother who just waves her magic wand on me--ganoon!"

Alan Paule is Melvin, an NGO worker who falls in love with a macho dancer in Maryo delos Reyes' current flick, "Sa Paraiso ni Efren."

"People are telling me that I have achieved some kind of a feat. In my very first film (Lino Brocka's 'Macho Dancer'), ako yung gumigiling, taga-bigay ng aliw sa mga manonood na bading. I even had a kissing scene with Daniel Fernando. Then a few years ago, I played the probinsiyano lover of a schoolmaster in Carlitos Siguion-Reyna's 'Ang Lalake sa Buhay ni Selya.' Naging controversial pa nga yung bed scene namin ni Ricky Davao. Tapos ngayon, ako na yung gay.

"Sabi ni Kuya Lino (Paule's mentor-discoverer), a true actor should always keep an open mind. Hindi raw dapat pangunahan ng hang-ups or insecurities para ma-portray ang role ng mabuti. I guess that stuck with me.

"I am very aware of the risks involved in accepting such roles, because some quarters tend to typecast you, especially if you perform well. Kung sabagay, ilang actors ba ang talagang secure sa kanilang manhood? Pero, in the end, I believe that it is my responsibility to give the most realistic portrayal I can, whatever role I accept, whether gay or straight."

Roderick Paulate is Doc Aga's secret lover in "Oki Doki Doc."

"I have done so many roles of this kind in the past. Yung mga movies ko sa Regal di ba puro gay roles? I am flattered when they say that I'm a natural in those parts.

"I observe a lot of people, especially in this business, ang dami-daming bading-directors, actors, kahit saan ka lumingon, meron. Sa daily show nga lang tulad ng 'MTB,' ang daming bading sa audience, ang daming bading sa mga contestants ng 'Pera o Bayong,' hindi ba? Kaya madaling humugot ng expressions.

"I accepted this role in 'Oki Doki Doc' kasi ibang klase naman. Here, I get to have a dual personality-yung isa, pa-macho, yung isa naman, bading. Pero suppressed, kaya maganda at challenging. Tapos, comedy pa usually ang attack ko. Of course, who can say no if you're paired with Aga Muhlach, hindi ba?"

Raymond Bagatsing is a shoo-in for a double supporting actor nomination in next year's award derbies--first, as a gay writer in "Burlesk King" and second, as Maricel Soriano's gay best friend in "Soltera."

His thoughts on the matter:

"First things first. Not every actor in town will be asked to do a gay role, especially if the role is serious and requires a lot of depth and drama. Of course, I thought about it many times before I finally agreed to play the part. But when I finally faced the camera, everything went smoothly. When they saw me in 'Burlesk King,' they offered me the role in 'Soltera' right away. I couldn't say no because it was a good role. I had to pass up on 'Paraiso ni Efren' because it would be three in a row, and people might start wondering. Of course, I'm just kidding!

''Seriously, gay characters are usually difficult to portray because most of their conflicts are internal. As an actor, I think it is partly my responsibility to show the audience that gays in real life are more than just what society, and films for that matter, have always pictured them to be: limp-wrists, punching bags, weaklings. They're as real as the person seated beside you, they have feelings and rights, they have a right to be happy, like everyone else.

"I'm glad films are slowly tackling issues like homosexuality, which used to be taboo. And I'm even happier that film people are becoming more intelligent, logical and sensitive, which they really ought to be."