'Kailangan pala ng ganito': A barbershop chain openly welcomes all genders

Since giving its first haircut in July 2022, Barbierro barbershop has been turning heads with its loud and proud commitment to inclusivity.

For starters, it has gender-neutral pricing that starts at P170 for a simple cut or trim. 

“Hindi ka naman dapat i-charge nang mas mataas porket babae ka or mas mababa dahil lalaki ka,” its co-founder Paul Sumayao said in a sit-down interview with GMA Integrated News. 

[You shouldn't be charged more because you're a woman, or less because you're a man.]

Relaxed on a hefty barber chair in their first branch in Biñan, Laguna, Sumayao says cuts are generally priced on actual cost considerations.

For example, time-intensive cuts, which they fondly call “slow cuts,” go upwards of P270.

“Mas mahalaga sa amin to really charge you based on kung gaano kahirap gawin ‘yung gupit, gaano katagal ‘yung gupit, or gaano kasimple ‘yung gupit,” said Paul.

[It's more important for us to charge you based on how hard your cut is, or how long it's going to take us, or how simple it is.]

Their services include haircuts, perms, shaves, as well as color, dye, shampoo and blow-dry services.

PHOTO: JAIA YAP/GMA INTEGRATED NEWS

‘A safe space for all’

Having co-founded Barbierro with his partner Jedi Directo, Sumayao said their battlecry is to provide superior grooming within a comfortable space for everyone.

According to Sumayao, the Pride flags displayed inside and outside the barbershop does not serve to identify his and Jedi’s queerness, but to signify to members of the LGBTQ+ community that they are especially welcome in Barbierro.

Even then, the majority of their customers are still straight and cisgender—those whose gender identity corresponds to their sex assigned at birth.

“Isa siyang safe space para sa lahat,” he said.

“Mayroon siyang parehong aspeto sa karamihang barbershops pero ang pinagkaiba lang is mas open tayo, mas inclusive siya sa lahat ng klase ng SOGIE,” Paul added, mentioning the acronym for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression.

[We have similarities with the usual barbershops. They difference is we are more open. We are inclusive to all no matter their SOGIE.]

PHOTO: JAIA YAP/GMA INTEGRATED NEWS

‘Kailangan pala namin’

The two-year-old barbershop chain had already gone viral multiple times, garnering much praise for its unique positioning.

“It's so cool! I feel really comfortable. As a queer woman, having androgynous haircuts in a salon was quite awkward for me, and this place brought me comfort,” said one netizen.

Barbierro opened its second branch in Sampaloc, Manila in April 2023, with more in the immediate pipeline, Sumayao said.

“Marami pang nag-aapply for franchisees sa iba’t ibang lugar. ‘Yung dalawang location na pinaka-sure kami na papasukin namin ay Quezon City at Pili, Camarines Sur—kung saan ako lumaki,” Paul said.

[There are a lot applying for frachise in different places. The two locations we are most sure of are Quezon City and Pili, Camarines, Sur, where I grew up.]

He says that Barbierro’s further expansion will be a big help for many, especially for queers.

“Ang sinasabi nila ‘Hindi namin alam na kailangan pala namin ng ganitong espasyo, na puwede naman pala kaming magpagupit na hindi kami komprontahin or tatanungin kung bakit gusto namin ng maikling buhok, gusto namin ng mahabang buhok, gusto namin ng may kulay, etcetera.’ So ganoon ‘yung madalas na feedback: na masaya sila na may ligtas na espasyo,” said Paul. 

[They often tell us, 'We didn't know we needed a space like this, where we can have a haircut and we won't be confronted, or be asked why we want short hair, why we want long hair, why we want it colored, etc. That's the common feedback: They are happy there is a safe space for them.]

— LA, GMA Integrated News