MARIPOSA SUBD.

Mariposa Subdivision is inspired by an iconic moment inside the Pinoy Big Brother house when Rustom Padilla (now BB Gandanghari) came out to Keanna Reeves. One evening, the two were hanging out in the outdoor area near the pool: Keana sitting on a duyan, Rustom sat on a bamboo chair close by, with bottles of alcohol near them like in a typical chill tambay. In the middle of this casual, unguarded scene, a mariposa suddenly appeared. It settled on Rustom’s leg, then gently made its way to his hand. It stayed there for a moment, then lifted toward his face in what looked like a light kiss, before flying away. Before social media, this small exchange became one of the most memorable coming out moments on Philippine national TV.

The title Mariposa Subdivision is inspired by a real subdivision in the artist’s hometown, known for its many “phases” – with phase referring to residential partitioning, but through this project also echoing the phases within a lifecycle, like from a caterpillar to butterfly. In this layering, the mariposa becomes a metaphor for the different ways people come out, not only in terms of sexuality, but also belief, preference, desire, or any part of the self that is ready to be seen.

With this moment unfolding during a simple tambay, the project also reflects on how pockets of simply being there, without purpose, create openings for what quietly wants to emerge. Sometimes these in-between moments hold the brief calm needed for certain truths to surface.

Returning to the scene, after the mariposa lifted off, Rustom quietly said, “thank you, thank you, thank you very much” – as if acknowledging a sign. Moments later, he finally spoke his truth.

This is part of the “Over Time” exhibit in ESC Biennale 2025 “Tambay Lang”, which is supported by the British Council’s Biennials Connect Grant.