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Hawaii-based Filipino beauty and social media influencer Bretman Rock is the cover model for Vogue Philippines’ first-ever Pride cover.
The cover photo, captured by Regina David, shows the 24-year-old in a striking green suit paired with a white sleeveless top and pants.
Rock took to Instagram Stories to share his emotional reaction to the milestone.
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“This is Vogue Philippines’ first Pride cover,” he said in the heartfelt clip. “This is Vogue Philippines’ first Pride cover from my country, and to be a part of it, I’m not even a part of it, I am.”
Heartbreaking, Rock stressed the importance of representation and expressed his hope for a future where gay children, especially those from marginalized communities, can also experience the same sense of pride and visibility.
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I waited my turn, and I deserve every single [megapixel] on this image. It’s a really big deal, and I really, I hope every brown queer kid gets their Vogue cover one day because every queer kid deserves to feel like that.
Bretman’s interview with Vogue Philippines delves into his personal journey of reconnecting with his Filipino heritage, self-expression and coming to terms with his non-binary identity.
I think it was hard to be taken seriously because obviously I started doing it when I was seventeen, like before puberty you know! … So I think the struggle was really getting a job when I was young and being taken seriously by the big brands. But they take me seriously now, they know my impact and what I can offer to a brand deal, and I feel like I have the upper hand now. I’m getting picky now, which is great!