Off-kilter queens
The Santacruzan is often held during the month of May to honor the Virgin Mary, who is very much a cultural icon as she is a religious fixture of the Catholic faith. When flowers emerge and mature in full bloom, a procession of full regalia crystallizes in her honor, putting forth the mortal, yet, in her radiance, seemingly immortal Reyna Elena.
Said to be a living embodiment of the Lady who hovers over the land, the Reyna Elena walks the streets to the adoration and admiration of her people. Think Evita but in full gown, scepter, crown, and all — a.k.a. Queen Mother. Less geriatric, and with a heavy dose of sexy back.
As the month of flowers draws to a close and Manila looks forward to the commemoration of her independence, we at Young Star decided to pay homage to the Reyna Elena as our “last hurrah” to the summer that was. Though, of course, our predilections gravitated not so much to the iconic but the iconoclastic — something a little less beauty queen and a little more off-kilter.
A band manager and curator for gig series Attraction! Reaction! A double vocalist for indie outfits Ang Bandang Shirley and Slow Hello. A woman whose amber hair shines brighter when she spins every Thursday at Laboratory in Future. A nimble-fingered mother and one half of the visual art group IdKids. A lilac-haired Internet blogger who’s been yapping about herself since 1998. A reality show has-been (LOL) who is a fashion designer for the street-girly label Electric Cutes. And a woman named Xtina Superstar — ‘nuff said.
Sound the trumpets! Announcing the arrival of the Off-Kilter Queens a.k.a. the Reyna Elenas of Manila’s top indie haunt, Cubao X.
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Nice Buenaventura (Artist)
Title: Queen of Inappropriate Moments
My crown: They’re pompoms I made for a group show.
My scepter: A used frame for art to mount with.
Distinguishing trait: I look like a boy!
I dream of… another episode of the Single Decker with my friend Mara.
Dear Cubao X… one day you’ll be cool again! Just kidding!
Off-Kilter Queen Self-Rating: 8
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Denise San Jose (Club DJ)
Title: Cubao X Khaleesi aka DJ Spincognitoglam
My crown: Inspired by the Iron Throne on Game of Thrones.
My scepter: My iPod. It holds all the ideas that come to me at ungodly hours.
Distinguishing trait: I’m pant-less in a national newspaper! Ha-ha!
I dream of… Cubao X becoming home to more artists and lovers of life.
Dear Cubao X… you are the heart of the city and where the wild things are.
Off-Kilter Queen Self-Rating: 10
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Kathy Gener (Band manager)
Title: Indierella
My crown: A reversible, personally sewn fabric crown.
My scepter: An Attraction! Reaction! Gig poster!
Distinguishing trait: I know my PBA and NBA.
I dream of… being a rich, successful entrepreneur, yo!
Dear Cubao X… thank you for being a unique place that we Northeners can boast to our friends from the South. Ha-ha!
Off-Kilter Queen Self-Rating: 8
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Selena Salang (Vocalist)
Title: Prudy Prude Prude
My crown: A wreath of wildflowers.
My scepter: My guitar because it’s the tool I use to be creative.
Distinguishing trait: I have the deepest voice of all of them.
I dream of… touring the world with my bands.
Dear Cubao X… I miss you. I miss the fantastic times we had.
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Ava Paguyo (Fashion designer)
Title: Needle Ann Go
My crown: A lopsided, Jughead-inspired crown in neon yellow with neon pink piping and black buttons as gems.
My scepter: A giant golden needle, great for jousting and mending cracks.
Distinguishing trait: My queenly heart.
I dream of… Swedish summers and a first-world Philippines.
Dear Cubao X… Kneel! Love, Ava.
Off-Kilter Queen Self-Rating: Relative to the weather. During summer, 7. On rainy days, it’s a 5.
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Xtina Superstar (Stylist, Panty Monster)
Title: #Cursetina
My crown: Luxury and all that sparkles.
My scepter: I was named after Christina Aguilera so I used her face from when she was way thinner.
Distinguishing trait: My legs and fabulous arms.
I dream of… lambs and unicorns. Mariah Carey style.
Dear Cubao X… Thanks for the memories! Love lots, Xtina Superstar
Off-Kilter Queen Self-Rating: I’m way off the scale.
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Helga Weber (Blogger)
Title: Tacky Ferocious
My crown: Doll parts because I want to be the girl with the most cake.
My scepter: Three stuffed animals because animals are my homies!
Distinguishing trait: I have a Pokedex on my phone and I still sleep on the floor.
I dream of… traveling with my favorite bands as they tour the world.
Dear Cubao X… I don’t regret giving you the best of my 20s because you gave me cheap beer and lots of funsies.
Off-Kilter Queen Self-Rating: Special snowflake 10!
