Shom Mabaquiao is a Junior Editor for APAC at Canvas8. He’s a nonfiction writer and a budding folklorist who inspects universal human behaviour through the lenses of his local folkways. Outside Canvas8, he writes personal essays that have been published in Adelaide Literary Magazine, Tint Journal, Rappahannock Review, and Katitikan: Literary Journal of the Philippine South, among others. When he’s not working, he’s busy doing stand-up comedy for his therapist after cry-dancing to Taylor Swift.

Border Reorder

People are refusing to accept purpose-washing

Assertive Audiences

People want their identities to be reflected in mainstream culture

Collective Equity

People are cashing in on their personal brands 

Generation Sell

People are interrogating the meaning of gender in a polarised society

Byegender

Samuel I. Cabbuag is a PhD student at the Hong Kong Baptist University’s Department of Sociology. He is also an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of the Philippines Diliman. His research interests lie in the intersection of digital sociology, popular culture, influencer cultures, and digital cultures. His PhD projects investigate influencer cultures in the Philippines and their engagement with content creation, everyday discourses, and politics.

Desiree Maniquis is a seasoned public relations and marketing professional with expertise in social listening analytics, social media management, events and production management, and talent management. As the co-house mother of the House of Manic, Maniquis is devoted to creating safe spaces for drag artists, enabling them to refine their skills and authentically express themselves. With a diverse background, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and establishing platforms that celebrate authenticity and self-expression within the dynamic realm of drag, reflecting her commitment to inclusivity and creative freedom.

Gen Y (born 1982-1996)

Gen Z (born 1997-2010)

Philippines

Southeast Asia

Media and Entertainment

Live broadcasts and events

The Guardian

Interview with Desiree Maniquis conducted by the author

Village Pipol Magazine

Preen

Them

Statista

The Straits Times

The Business Times

TODAY

Rappler

8List

Vero

Cebu Daily News

Amazon

Ogilvy

Interview with Professor Samuel Cabbuag conducted by the author

With only one Southeast Asian stop in The Eras Tour, Filipino Swifties saw daylight in the form of Taylor Sheesh. The drag queen recreates Taylor Swift’s performances in local mall shows and private events, making the concert hype accessible for fans while pushing queer visibility to the mainstream.