SINGER BUGOY DRILON, SECOND-PLACE winner in the reality talent search ?Pinoy Dream Academy: Season 2,? said he is aware of people in the biz who suspect that he?s gay.

?I?m straight,? he told writers last week in a gathering to promote his self-titled album under Star Records. ?I try not to get affected by people who are spreading these rumors. My close friends and I joke about the issue a lot.?

Bugoy explained that his ?effeminate personality? came from growing up with four sisters. ?Plus, my father wasn?t really around to be much of an influence,? he told the Inquirer .

Bugoy, Jay Drilon Bugayon in real life, released his first album titled ?Paano Na Kaya?? in 2008.

What did you do with your P500,000 prize?

I paid off a lot of my family?s debts, then I gave the money that was left to my parents.

How has winning changed your life?

Whenever I visit my hometown, people ask their pictures to be taken with me, even my carabao Goofy (laughs). I was finally able to buy a car?a black Ford.

Your kababayans seem very proud of you.

Nakakatuwa. Parang kailan lang, inaapi ako. All of them said sorry already. I just try to ignore mean people. If I get affected, ako ang talo.

Do you have crushes in the biz?

Ate Toni (Gonzaga) and Ate Anne (Curtis).