Gabriela Rising

This work is inspired by the queer identities that existed in the Philippines before the Spanish colonized the country in the 1500’s. They were members of the women’s group of Shamans who were spiritual and cultural leaders of different tribes and communities. It is also inspired by Jethro’s first encounter with the beauty of drag through their very own mother who hid her identity to escape death through make up when being hunted by the military in the late 80’s due to her political work. She was a member of the the very first militant women’s organization in the Philippines called Gabriela Silang who takes their name from a Filipina warrior who fought against the Spaniards during the occupation.