Filipina-American rapper and spoken word artist Ruby Ibarra delivered a groundbreaking performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, spotlighting Filipino stories, languages, and musical talent in a rare all-Filipino lineup.
The set included performances in Tagalog, Bisaya, and English, and featured a special appearance by Filipina-American rock pioneer June Millington, co-founder of the iconic 1970s band Fanny.
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A Cultural Narrative
The performance opened with “Bakunawa,” Ibarra’s winning entry for the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest. The song references a creature from Philippine mythology—a serpent said to devour moons—and explores themes of resistance, healing, and reclaiming cultural identity. Delivered across three languages, the piece stands out as one of the few Tiny Deskperformances to incorporate regional Philippine languages on a mainstream U.S. platform.
Other songs in the set included “7000 Miles,” which delves into the Filipino immigrant experience, and “Someday,” a deeply personal track originally written for Ibarra’s mother.
Joining Ibarra onstage was June Millington, who is often referred to as one of the first openly gay Filipina-American rock musicians to achieve mainstream success. Millington, whose band Fanny was the first all-female rock band to release an album on a major label, added vocals and guitar to the performance. Her presence marked a historic collaboration between pioneering and contemporary Filipino-American artists.
Full Ensemble of Filipino Talent
The performance brought together an all-Filipino ensemble led by Ruby Ibarra, who delivered vocals and rap. She was joined by June Millington on guitar and vocals, Ouida on vocals, and Han Han with additional rap verses. Anna Candari contributed on guitar, while Camille Ramirez played both bass and flute. Jojo Gajardo Ramirez completed the group on drums.
During the set, Ibarra acknowledged her family seated in the audience and dedicated “Someday” directly to her mother, adding a personal and emotional layer to the already powerful performance.
A Moment for Representation
This Tiny Desk concert stands out not just for its musicality, but for its intentional representation. The use of Philippine languages, the incorporation of folklore, and the presence of both legacy and emerging artists created a powerful statement on identity, heritage, and the global reach of Filipino music.
NPR’s Tiny Desk platform, known for its stripped-down and intimate format, provided a space where Ibarra and her collaborators could showcase the depth and diversity of the Filipino experience—something rarely seen at this scale in American media.
