Photography
A Malong can be Worn in Many Ways
2023
Digital Photo
The malong, a traditional Filipino garment, is a symbol of versatility, both in its function and style, and has historically been worn by people of all genders. Its adaptability allows one to fashion it in various ways to suit their needs or desires in any given moment. In this photograph, I wear the malong in different forms: pants, skirts, and dresses while deliberately turning away from the viewer, obscuring my face and body.
The exploration of my gender and gender expression is deeply personal and vulnerable. The malong, a garment imbued with the traditions and expressions of my ancestors, serves as a conduit for my own exploration of fluidity. Just as the malong can be reshaped and redefined, so too am I learning to embrace the fluidity of my gender. By shielding myself from the viewer's gaze, I deny them the opportunity to objectify my body, compelling them to confront the more intimate, internal aspects of my trans experience—moments that cannot be reduced to fetishization.
My Cloths Are Having a Talk
2023
Digital Photo
This piece stages a conversation between two garments, the dress I wore to prom and the suit I obtained after graduating college, each representing different moments in my gender journey. By removing my body from the image I resist the objectification of trans identity and let the clothes speak for themselves.
The work reflects my ongoing process of reconciling gender fluidity, self-acceptance, and freedom from societal expectations. It is both a dialogue and a declaration: an exploration of identity unbound by binaries or external definitions.
Testing Testing One Two Three
2022
Cyanotype on paper
8” × 10”
This series captures the used vessels of testosterone from my hormone replacement therapy. Navigating gender-affirming care was marked by trial and error, moving from injections to patches to gels, each with its own challenges. My fear of needles made the process especially difficult, but seeking autonomy led me to the Inject-ease, a device that allowed me to self-administer my shots.
Through these images, I reflect on resilience, agency, and self-acceptance, the quiet power found in confronting fear and reclaiming control over my own body and transition.
Untitled (Filipino Americans)
2022
Lumen prints
8” x 11” inches
This series was created in collaboration with Filipino American artists Cyrena Rosati and Zak Ashburn, exploring our complex identities through lumen prints. These prints were developed using acids found in common Filipino ingredients, such as soy sauce and vinegar, blending cultural elements with the chemistry of creation.
In the images, we experiment with visual symbols that reflect our experiences as racially mixxed Filipino and white Americans. We depict ourselves wearing bolo ties and cowboy hats, eating pancit and white bread, and reading Captain America. These seemingly contrasting elements speak to the hybridity of our identities—how we navigate the intersections of heritage, history, and personal experience, balancing the cultural influences of both our Filipino roots and our American upbringing.