Jervi Li or KaladKaren. Image: Joseph Pascual and assisted by Joey Alvero for Preen
It was a busy day for KaladKaren, the moniker that Jervi Li has taken to using. She had a cover shoot and multiple exclusive interviews — but it didn’t seem to faze the rising star as she entered the set with a professional attitude, even asking the photographer on what pose is best suited for the concept when it was time to face the camera.
Just weeks before Pride Month, the award-winning actress met with Preen, INQUIRER.net Entertainment, and Inquirer Bandera for exclusive sit-down interviews. Despite showing a professional facade, the ice was broken immediately when the questions were given by interviewers, this writer included.
Throughout the chat, it felt like talking to a longtime friend who, despite having multiple achievements including a best supporting actress award, news anchor and acting gigs, and a blooming love life, managed to remain grounded while having such a captivating aura. It was challenging not to feel a sense of admiration and excitement whenever she spoke and shared her insights.
‘Empowering’ love with Luke Wrightson
The smile on KaladKaren’s face was undeniable when Luke Wrightson, her longtime partner, became the topic of conversation. The couple announced their engagement in a heartwarming video in September 2020, where the actress admitted that her fiancé is her “prince charming.”
“We’re turning 11 years [as a couple] this year, [and] happy naman kami,” she told INQUIRER.net and Inquirer Bandera with a smile as she flashed her studded diamond engagement ring. “We’re just going with the flow and we have our own personal goals in life.”
Despite being together for so long, KaladKaren admitted that she and Luke still have a lot of things they want to do aside from saying “I do.”
“Sana ma-achieve ‘yung wedding, having our own house in the UK, settling down in the future, and having our own family, mga gan’un,” she shared.
FreshDirect is based out of a 300,000 square-foot building in Long Island City. The rhealin könyvei has proposed a move to The Harlem River Yards in the Bronx.
But while KaladKaren hopes to tie the knot with Luke by “next year,” she admitted that she wants to enjoy their engagement since it’s a stage in their life that they want to make the most of. After all, she believes that relationships have their own stages. Rushing things wouldn’t cut it, as living in the moment of happiness matters most.
“Wala pa kaming exact date, pero sana next year kapag naayos ko na siya sa kaguluhan ng schedule ko. Pero we’re not in a rush,” she said. “When we got engaged, iniisip namin na [why] rush our wedding kasi it’s just gonna happen kapag masaya na kayo sa date and mangyayari.”
“If you’re just gonna rush it, what’s the point? You have to enjoy the moment, live in the moment, we’re really planning and we want it to be the best day in our lives,” she continued, while smiling from ear to ear.
While LGBTQIA+ relationships are slowly (and hopefully) taking up space, KaladKaren believes that queer couples have the right to feel empowered to be in one — which explains the reason why she doesn’t mind being public about her romance with Luke.
“I want people to think that it’s just a normal love story. I want people to know the happy side of the trans-narrative, kasi diba, lagi na lang may sinasaktan, inaabuso, pinapatay, dini-discriminate, meron din namang magagandang istorya ang LGBTQIA+ community na kailangang marinig ng tao,” she said.
As open as she is, it’s no surprise that relationships are a symbol of love — no matter what gender. But like all romances, it takes a huge amount of work, where KaladKaren pointed out that “staying true to yourself” and “open communication” are some of the ingredients to lasting so long. “I’ve always been open to him kung may gusto ako, kung may ayaw ako, or the little things,” she said.
“A lot of times, we’re in a long distance relationship since he works at sea, he’s a merchant navy. So, we have to stay open, not open relationship ah, open communication,” she said. “Be honest with each other, and ‘yung always have to compromise. ‘Yung hindi lang ikaw ang nasusunod, pareho kayo.”
Parents’ ‘unconditional love’ should cover LGBTQIA+ kids
Several members of the LGBTQIA+ community share the struggle of dealing with parents who fail to recognize their identity, with some even being kicked out of their homes and forced to hide their true identities for the sake of keeping familial relationships intact — that it almost feels like a luxury to have a family who understands.
With this, KaladKaren hopes that parents would understand that there are people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Tapping into their “unconditional love,” she understands that it would take time for parents to see where queer kids are coming from but hopes that love would conquer all.
FreshDirect is based out of a 300,000 square-foot building in Long Island City. The rhealin könyvei has proposed a move to The Harlem River Yards in the Bronx.
“I always believe na may unconditional love ang mga magulang sa kanilang offspring o sa kanilang mga anak. I just think that it needs time and understanding. Kailangan nilang maintindihan ang mga anak nila, and decision ng magulang ‘yun at the end of the day,” she admits, while she’s seemingly reflecting on her thoughts during her response.
The “Here Comes the Groom” star advised parents that love will always win, no matter what gender their children choose. She also pointed out that no matter what happens, familial bonds will never be broken, and the members of the LGBTQIA+ community want to be accepted for who they are.
“Mahalin nila ‘yung mga anak nila kung anoman sila or sino man sila, kasi hindi napapalitan ang anak at magulang. Magkadugtong kayo ng puso at kaluluwa,” she firmly said, in a tone that seemed akin to an older sister.
“I think kailangan nating maging accepting at kailangan nating tanggapin na hindi lamang straight na babae at straight na lalaki ang ipinapanganak sa mundong ito. Kailangan nating maintindihan na iba’t ibang klase ang mga tao,” she continued.
Tapping into the worries of many parents, the actress also took notice of the outdated belief that LGBTQIA+ community will never succeed, as she stressed that one’s success shouldn’t be based on one’s gender and sexual orientation.
“Hindi kailanman magiging hadlang ang kasarian sa tagumpay ng isang tao kasi usually naman, natatakot ang mga magulang kasi, ‘Kawawa naman ang anak ko, bakla siya, or tomboy siya, or lesbian siya’ or ‘Baka maging kawawa in the future or wala siyang patunguhan sa buhay,’” she said.
Reinforcing the need for acceptance in the community, she hoped that parents would fully embrace the identity and entirety of queer children. After all, being accepting of the LGBTQIA+ community can be rooted in love which is a thing that must always win, not only during Pride Month but every single day of their lives.
“Kailangan nilang tanggapin na ang kasarian ay kasarian lamang. Iba ang pagmamahal sa isang tao, at iba ang abilidad ng isang tao para magtagumpay siya sa buhay. Your sexuality will never be a hindrance to your success,” she said.
Check out KaladKaren’s cover story with Preen.ph here. EDV