Cover Lance Reblando during the 21st Cinemalaya Film Festival press conference (Photo: Instagram/@lancereblando)
Lance Reblando during the 21st Cinemalaya Film Festival press conference (Photo: Instagram/@lancereblando)
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By stepping into parts long denied to transgender women like herself, Lance Reblando is reshaping the narrative of what it means to belong on stage and screen
At a time when Philippine theatre and cinema are beginning to broaden their lens on queer representation, Lance Reblando stands at the forefront. A transgender actress who has made a mark on both stage and screen, she continues to defy conventions and create space for trans visibility in mainstream storytelling.
Her journey began on the theatre stage, where she has taken on roles that were once thought unimaginable for a trans woman. In Rent, she embodied Angel Dumott Schunard, the free-spirited character whose presence sheds light on love and resilience amid the realities of HIV and AIDS. For 9Works Theatrical’s production, the company foregrounded the epidemic in a way that resonated deeply with today’s audiences, and Reblando’s portrayal amplified the play’s emotional heart.
More from Tatler: 9Works Theatrical’s ‘Rent’ colourfully paints the New York City bohemian life with HIV/AIDS awareness at the front and centre
Lance Reblando went on to make history with PETA’s Walang Aray. Here, she played the female lead Julia in what may well be the first time a trans actress has headlined a heterosexual love story in Philippine theatre. Romantic, witty and satirical, the production ended on a joyous note, further proving that trans women can—and should—inhabit roles that go beyond stereotype or limitation.
On television, Reblando continued her mission for authentic representation. In iWantTFC’s Love at First Spike, she took on the role of a transgender volleyball player, Diamond, a part that tackled inclusivity in sports while also addressing misconceptions about transition and identity. It was a performance that blended honesty with advocacy, showing the real stories trans women carry into arenas often closed to them.
See also: PETA’s award-winning musical ‘Walang Aray’ returns, featuring new cast members
As the 2025 Cinemalaya Film Festival opens, Reblando takes the lead in Warla, one of this year’s full-length film entries inspired by true events by director Kevin Zarate Alambra. She portrays Kitkat, a 19-year-old transgender woman who finds solace in a sisterhood of outcasts. Together, they turn to crime to fund their gender-affirming surgeries, only to confront the moral price of survival. The film is a daring study of power, longing and chosen family, and it continues Reblando’s commitment to telling stories that place trans voices at the heart of the narrative.
Each role Lance Reblando takes on is more than a performance. It is an act of representation, a statement that trans women belong at the heart of Philippine theatre and film. By carving out her place in an industry long resistant to change, she has opened doors for others to follow, reshaping the cultural landscape for queer Filipinos who, like her, deserve to be seen.
Christofer Palentino tells stories the way a digital marketer reads a campaign report: seeking patterns, turning points and the human truths hidden behind the numbers. A digital marketing professional with a keen eye for analytics, he fuses data-driven insight with creative vision to capture moments that define the cultural pulse.
His niche spans the spectrum of pop culture—music, film and fashion—anything that shapes and reflects the zeitgeist. For him, every trend has a story, and every story has a strategy.
Connect with him on Instagram @_chrspl or at christofer@tatlerphilippines.com
