‘Bakunawa’: Fil-Am rapper Ruby Ibarra celebrates Filipino folklore
Ruby Ibarra delves into Filipino folklore, focusing on the mythical Bakunawa, a dragon-like creature. Image: rubyibarra/Instagram
Filipino American rapper Ruby Ibarra has unveiled her latest project, “Bakunawa,” a track that intertwines her journey into motherhood with a deep dive into Filipino folklore.
At the heart of “Bakunawa” is a unique yet personal element: the sound of her first child’s heartbeat.
The song, just under five minutes long, serves as a testament to Ibarra’s transformative experiences over the past few years.
In a detailed Instagram post, the artist expressed her excitement about the “ambitious” music video for “Bakunawa,” describing it as her most daring visual project to date.
She credited her Director of Photography, Des (@lacapturevisuals), for embracing her bold ideas and bringing them to life.
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The video delves deeper into Filipino folklore, focusing on the mythical Bakunawa, a dragon-like creature believed to cause eclipses.
“There were at least 2 weeks straight where I seriously only thought about the bakunawa and found references, symbolism, and connections in the things I was learning. It became my life,” she explained.
In the video, Ibarra and her team personify various natural phenomena. Each artist represents different elements: wind, eclipse, rain and earthquake, respectively. This concept required meticulous research and creative design, culminating in a visually striking and symbolic portrayal of the Bakunawa legend.
Ibarra also noted that the production process was intricate, with every visual element carefully crafted to represent its respective phenomenon.
She expressed her gratitude to her nail tech and hair and makeup artists for their contributions. Notably, Gwen and Carla created the “wind” effect by meticulously designing suspended braids.
“We both understood that we couldn’t just merely look like these things, but had to become them in motion, action, & effect,” Ibarra stated. “We hope that every time someone pauses the MV, that it looks like a portrait/photo!”
As Ibarra steps into this new chapter of motherhood, “Bakunawa” becomes a mirror of her personal and artistic evolution.
The project not only highlights her commitment to her craft but also celebrates her cultural heritage in a profoundly personal way – with her first baby.
Ibarra concluded her post with an invitation for fans: “There’s a lot more I want to share, and I’m curious to see if y’all caught them! What other symbolism and references did you notice in the video?”
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