Bolo Lingling-O (2021)

Necklace

Cast aluminum and paracord bolo

12” × 6”

This hybrid necklace merges the traditional Filipino lingling-o amulet with the Western bolo tie, embodying the tension of being Filipino-American, between East and West, masculinity and femininity, heritage and modernity.

Distorted and asymmetrical, the piece reflects my distance from ancestral roots and the struggle to reconcile cultural identity within the diaspora. The frightened Anitos face longhorn bulls, symbols of colonization, while the heavy pendant and clashing neon cords convey the weight of history and hybridity.

Bolo Lingling-O becomes both armor and burden- a reflection on conflict, resilience and belonging.