Ruby Ibarra has won the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest with her song "Bakunawa," which is performed in English, Tagalog, and Bisaya. The song draws upon Filipino folklore and addresses themes of cultural resistance, motherhood, and personal empowerment, as Ibarra was pregnant when she recorded it. She emphasizes the importance of breaking generational trauma while reclaiming her identity. The performance features a multi-generational band, symbolizing the transmission of oral mythology. Ibarraâs entry deeply resonated with contest judges, highlighting her as a rising star in the music industry.
This song interprets the story as a metaphor for resistance and a battle cry against erasure. Much of Philippine history consists of colonization and imperialism.
I wanted to step into motherhood breaking the generational trauma, celebrating and accepting all parts of myself and reclaiming my power.
Every detail in my entry is intentional; I wanted intergenerational artists to represent how oral mythologies are passed down over time.
The level of talent and emotion displayed in Ruby's entry made it clear to our judges that she is a star.
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