It’s proven throughout history that people from the LGBTQIA+ community are some of the most important and influential contributors in various artistic fields. They continue to shape and redefine artistic expression because of their unique experiences and perspectives.
What better time to highlight our remarkable local queer artists than Pride Month! These artists are phenomenal in their respective fields that we think they deserve a bit more recognition. Get to know them and fall in love with their work. Support your local artists!
Maraschin0 Bb
they/them
“Motel” 
“Haha, I Think I Need Help.” 
“AGAY! Art Show”
Giann Mikhael Alipar, known as Maraschin0 Bb, is a sweet and queer scatterbrain of an artist from Cebu City who dabbles around the visualities of art, real and not real.
For them, to be queer is to be free from constraints. As a queer person themselves, they always try to challenge the norm with their works. They channel that bravery by sharing stories and experimenting with different styles, materials, and techniques.
Follow Maraschin0 Bb on all their socials: Instagram and Website.
Samantha Solidum
she/her
“First Kiss by Mandaue Nights”
“Luding’s Station” 
“Touch by Alice Who“
With more than a decade of filmmaking experience and 15 full external hard drives to show for it, Samantha Solidum has written, directed, and edited short films that have made the rounds in local film festivals such as CinemaRehiyon and Binisaya. Her most notable brainchild is the satirical film group Sutukil Sauce. She has also worked on commercials for various brands, as well as music videos for local Cebu acts such as Mandaue Nights, Sepia Times, Alice Who, and Route 83.
Her queerness is in her so it naturally comes out in her “art”. When she tries to write a story, she creates a character that experiences the world in the most unapologetic way and then creates obstacles for them that stem from reality—but she makes sure that the character’s “queerness” is not the problem. Queerness is simply being human… with more colors. As these colors continue to be grayed out by our society’s conservative and patriarchal systems, she plans to continue contributing a strong arm in the push (or punch, if needed) for equality.
Follow Samantha on all her socials: Facebook, YouTube, Wixsite, and Instagram.
Karl Adrian Aguro
he/him
“11 Hours” 
“ITSAY” 
“Flower Boys”
Karl Aguro is a graphic designer, illustrator, and Uncurated Studio’s founder. His works range from working with brands like Uniqlo and Ayala Malls to creating illustrations and merch designs for local bands like Ang Bandang Shirley and Mandaue Nights.
Being a queer designer has dramatically impacted all areas of his work through his personal lived experiences—bringing a unique perspective to any design and illustration work.
Follow Karl on his Instagram and website.
Zach Aldave
he/him
“In Your Arms” 
“Invocation” 
“The Blue Album”
Moved by the energy and sights of his hometown, Zachary Villegas Aldave, a self-taught photographer and artist, captures the mundane scenes of Cebu City. The 26-year-old’s candid aesthetic emerges from his informal sensibilities and eye for light and motion, made palpable in a fluid range of subjects, including portraiture, food, editorial, and street photography.
Having spent three years in the Fine Arts program of the University of the Philippines – Cebu, Zach carved his artistic path by participating in community work and in movements centered around creativity, music, and queer culture.
Follow Zach Aldave on his Instagram (Account 1 and Account 2) and Show Catalog.
Karina Marga
she/her
“Mangubat St.” 
“Muelle”
Karina Marga Cuizon is currently a senior graphic designer at Happy Garaje Design Studio Co. She is also a vocalist and guitarist for the band School Girl Classic. Her work evokes feelings of nostalgia and wonder. In her spare time, she likes to read, write songs, travel, or just daydream. As a queer artist, her art is heavily influenced by her personal experiences and emotions related to her queerness.
Through storytelling and visual elements, she tries to capture what it is like to be queer. This self-expression makes room for her to connect with other people who may share similar feelings and backgrounds. With this, she hopes to contribute to promoting visibility and a sense of belonging for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.
Follow Karina Marga on her Instagram.
Tommy Mitra (FKA Berns)
they/them
“Artboard 7” 
“Hope Blossomed And I Watched It Dispatch Unwhittled In The Fairest Of The Season” 
Dia III – Mirame
Controversialist-turned-artist Tommy Mitra uses digital collage and abstract art to elaborate on the critical relationships between technology, aesthetics, organic life, and consumer behavior. They believe that creative expression and technology are each other’s greatest purpose, mutually pushing boundaries and treading the way to expand the human experience.
“I believe queer people have a special connection with technology because it provides the means to find, organize, and express one’s identity in a world that’s both rapidly decaying and progressing.”
Follow Tommy on their Instagram (Account 1, Account 2) and Facebook.
Subhelic
he/him
“This Is Not A Square” 
“We Are All Going to Die!”
Subhelic is a reminder to walk slowly on this earth. He does visual art, nature journaling, identity design, and hand poke tattoos. His works are expressions of his relationship with the world, and therefore his art will always be queer art.
Follow Subhelic on Instagram.
Robert Andrew Hiyas
they/them
“KNJ” 
“Pleated Dress for KNJ” 
“Pulse”
Hiyas’ design practice draws inspiration from reflections on social-cultural constructs like gender and sexuality. Their present work explores the intersection between gender and clothing. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s imperative for queer artists to utilize their platforms as avenues to discuss and represent queer narratives.
Follow Hiyas on his Instagram and check out his website.
Van Oscar Tabaloc
he/him
Van Oscar Tabaloc is a doll fashion designer and maker. He believes queerness was always a factor in his creativity. Since he was young, he was prohibited from playing with dolls, and that frustration turned into a hobby, which then unleashed his passion for making beautiful things. He loves feminine things and making fashion for dolls has been an outlet for him to let that femininity shine.
Follow Van Oscar Tabaloc on his Instagram.
Shayne Lopez
they/them
Shayne Lopez is an artist and fashion designer based in Cebu, though they used to work as a stylist in the Manila film scene. They mainly focus on tie-dye and designing magical creatures. Their queerness factors in their work as seen in how queer culture inspires how they express color and do their shoots. They like making their pieces really vibrant, feminine, and crazy.
Follow Shayne on their Instagram (Account 1, Account 2).
SANG
she/they
“You Asked for This” 
“Burning”
Jessa Terez is a 24-year-old artist who goes by the artist name “SANG.” Terez is from Mindanao but currently resides in Talamban, Cebu City. She does traditional and digital art. Terez considers herself bisexual, and explains that most of her comic prompts and fan art are queer-coded because “it’s easy to create something you’re so familiar with”.
Follow SANG on her Instagram.