No categories for Arnell

MANILA, Philippines - With a navigator, Arnell competed in Cannonball 2016 held in Subic on Jan. 7 with the likes of Albert Martinez to Formula Three drivers Renan Ponce Morales and Gabby dela Merced. He clinched the No. 1 spot in the 4x4 category and No. 5 in the over-all standing.

“Nagtataka sila paano ko napatakbo ng ganoon kabilis ‘yung jeep kasi 4x4 ‘yun na diesel, hindi designed for speed,” Arnell revealed. He commented with pride, “Kaya most of the time people are so confused. I make things simple.”

With just a trophy and a ribbon as prizes after shelling out a four-figure participation fee, he feels good and well-rewarded just the same. After all, he beat the virile, fully equipped and professionally trained drivers that dominate the circuit. What then is the incentive from such a no-cash reward competition? Arnell’s main concern is to prove that his gender preference is co-equal with all.

Isn’t Arnell in the habit of describing himself as luka-luka? Yes, in the feminine pronoun. The slip-up is intentional, to make it funny. Yet like them, he has demanded might in driving skill, concentration and stamina, maybe just more determined.

His botched two-month engagement to aspiring singer Jen Psalmer hit traditional and new media gossip. Despite this sexuality, he is well-accepted in the car racing circuit and can maneuver the breaks and steers of what he describes as “pang-grocery” cars alongside the sleek brutes with awe-inspiring brands such as Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini.

He even pooh-poohs to be in the richest car collectors list like Manny V. Pangilinan or Willie Revillame. He is not cash-loaded but acquires his cars with charm, creativity and continuation. Acquiring them by installment, he resells them when fully paid, infrequently at no margin.

“Most of the things I do and love are guy stuff and I do just what I want. No categories,” the now occasional entertainer (“Ayoko na ng gay roles”), hair restorer, Siomai House franchisor and house builder and seller explains his motive.

As an openly gay car racing enthusiast, Arnell Ignacio is an enigma.

Arnell makes a new track in men’s turf by this developed lifestyle that goes contra to type. He believes gays must not be stereotyped as having particular shared characteristics. The LGBT community can be anything that they want to be, that personal happiness is ultimate.

Arnell’s recent race was the Ironman Motorcycle Challenge that took off from Quezon Memorial Circle on Feb. 5, navigated through the Luzon loop in three days and finished up at Hotel Stotsenberg Clark on Feb. 7.

Doing extremely well with road machines, Arnell avoids traffic like a contagious disease. He prefers not to go through the hell of the metro’s convoluted traffic, for sure, as he cannot enjoy the adrenalin rush of the freedom of riding with the wind. Feeling cooped up by speed limits and snarled traffic, he drives out to socialize or shack after 10 p.m.

Targeting to be the cover of Men’s Health that he describes as an “illusion,” he is developing his body through gym workouts. He often posts selfies on Facebook with captions from wishful, “Mangupahan na kaya ako dito sa Golds (Gym),”  to wry, “Mas masarap nang kaunti sa nabasang plywood... yung medyo patuyo na” while chewing dietary biscuit.

That’s Arnell for all of us. For himself? Having unclassified his gender, Arnell’s ultimate goal is not motor-driven. He wants to complete his Music Composition and Conducting degree to be able celebrate his individuality as an orchestra conductor.