Exclusive: First look at Ruby Ibarra in action on Fox’s ‘The Cleaning Lady’

Ruby Ibarra’s on-screen presence and contributions in “The Cleaning Lady” not only highlight her talent but also serve as a testament to the growing representation of Filipino culture in mainstream media. Image: Screencap/episode 2

Filipino American rapper Ruby Ibarra is back on-screen, and this time, she’s joining the roster of Filipino talents in the third season of Fox’s primetime drama, “The Cleaning Lady.”

Having previously collaborated with the series to compose music for Season 1, the Fil-Am artist is now returning to the show on-screen as a Filipino performer in the upcoming episode on March 12. (Scroll down to watch an exclusive preview.)

In the episode, viewers are reintroduced to the Filipino character portrayed by Japanese Chinese American performer Sean Lew, who embodies Chris, the undocumented Filipino son of Martha Milan’s character, Fiona.

Both were seen strolling in a Filipino night market, where Fiona said to Chris, “it’s important to know where you come from,” and where Chris shares snippets of his somewhat limited Filipino vocabulary “kumusta ako si Chris.”

Enhancing the authenticity of the moment is Ibarra’s performance in the background, her lyrics echoing, “Pilipino ako sa gawa, Pilipino sa mga mata (I am Filipino by action, Filipino in the eyes),” and Chris found himself enjoying the beat while watching her.

As the sequence unfolds, Fil-Am actor JB Tadena, portraying a turo-turo stall vendor Paolo Belleza, adds depth to the scene as he calls and engages with Fiona.

Ibarra’s on-screen presence and contributions in “The Cleaning Lady” not only highlight her talent but also serve as a testament to the growing representation of Filipino culture in mainstream media, with Filipinos like her gracing the screen.

The latest season of the series ramps up the tension with Arman’s (Adan Canto) disappearance and Thony’s (Élodie Yung) mission to bring Fiona back to the US. Thony faces challenges alone as she fights to protect her family, forming risky alliances with a dangerous Cartel along the way.

Thony turns to Ramona to get Fiona back to the United States but finds herself indebted. Meanwhile, a secret Fiona has kept hidden for decades comes to light, creating friction between herself and family members in the all-new “For My Son” episode of The Cleaning Lady airing Tuesday, March 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Watch this exclusive preview (episode 2):