Rebelde contains a mix of drawing, painting, and digital and tradition collage. Sources of fashion, clothing and fabrics are used as tools to depict and portray my diasporic experience, idea of nationality and cultural identity. It also challenges aspects of masculinity and gender. I embrace the duality of his Filipino heritage and his Canadian/western upbringing through fusing punk and grunge rebellious fashion such as laced gloves drawn in ink, studded belts, fishnet tights, and leg warmers, along with traditional cultural attires from the leather butterfly sleeves inspired by the Terno, drawn layout of a Barong Tagalog top and the draped skirt inspired by the Igorot group of the Philippines containing plaid patterns. The green backdrop of lush flowers and plants serves a reminder of home, including the Sampaguita flower, a native and national flower of the Philippines.  

 Inspirations include Kehinde Wiley’s use of classical florals for his portrait paintings, designs from Ed Hardy and its clothing apparel by Christian Audelier popular in the 2000s, and Mickalene Thomas’ playful assemblage of various mediums.