Surely, Jiggly Caliente's ‘unkabogable’ journey and legacy remains beyond drag

As the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in the Philippines continues onward, Bianca Castro-Arebejo, known by her drag name Jiggly Caliente, stands as a leading figure for equality, a transgender icon, an activist, and an avid supporter of local Filipino drag.

With her untimely passing on Sunday, April 27, a private statement from her family said that she passed peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones. To recall, Caliente’s family also announced earlier this week that she would not be able to do public engagements for an extended period of time due to a severe infection that led to the amputation of most of her right leg.

Cementing her 21-year drag legacy as a resident judge of all current seasons of queer reality TV show Drag Race Philippines, a two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race alumna herself, and an international drag superstar — let us revisit her beginnings, how she rose to fame, and her mission for Philippine representation in queer media.

Born on November 29, 1980, in San Pedro, Laguna, she stated in an interview with Tumblr blog Thotyssey in 2018 that she lived the first 10 years of her life in the Philippines, before moving to Queens, New York. Caliente had shown to be capable of standing for herself from a young age — recounting a time where she stabbed a classmate with a pencil in first grade due to them bullying and insulting her for her weight.

“I don’t let bullies get to me, and I never let someone get the last word in on me!” she declared in the interview.

However, being a drag performer wasn't her first career choice. In fact, she studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology to become an illustrator and comic book artist, dreaming of working for Marvel.

Caliente started doing drag in 2004, according to an interview with Rappler. She was a part of the legendary Brooks drag family, known for pageantry, and started out in Asian-centric New York City drag bar “The Web.”

Before her time on Drag Race, she also experienced doing escort work, and was an advocate for destigmatizing this profession, indicating that one should not be ashamed for doing something with their own body.

“I think that in this society, we need to stop hating on what a person’s hustle is, and start congratulating someone else on their hustle,” she stated.

Despite initially not wanting to go on Drag Race, former contestants Manila Luzon and the late Sahara Davenport convinced her to audition for the show in 2011, which would later propel her to stardom.

Strutting into the werkroom of the fourth season of Drag Race, she called herself “New York’s plus-size Barbie.” Throughout the season, she was known for her fierce lip-sync performances, equally fierce personality, and an infamous post-apocalyptic runway look for the season’s first episode’s design challenge.

However, competitor Willam would send her home in the season’s seventh episode, placing 8th in the show. Nine years later, she would return to compete in the competition’s sixth season of All Stars in 2021 — where she placed 12th.

A year later, Caliente was announced to be a resident judge of the Philippine franchise of Drag Race, alongside fellow transgender icon and news anchor KaladKaren — with Paolo Ballesteros serving as the show’s host. She would then judge on three seasons of Drag Race Philippines until she stepped down from her post due to her aforementioned health setback.

In her interview with Rappler, she emphasized that her competing on the show was something bigger than herself — as she was representing Filipinos, the transgender community, and every brown-skinned person who found themselves a victim of the country’s toxic beauty standards.

Caliente continued to represent the country in her fashion and activities, donning a butterfly-sleeve dress for her All Stars promotional look and wearing a gown inspired by the Philippine flag for her finale look of the same season.

As for her stint on the opposite side of the judges’ panel, the Filipina-American drag queen stated that they ensured the Drag Race Philippines production would be a piece of media made by Filipinos for Filipinos, emphasizing that they did not want to imitate the main American franchise of the show.

A star that still shines 

Since her passing, multiple Drag Race alumni have expressed their condolences and disbelief over the incident, highlighting her kindness and supportiveness for her fellow queens, and especially for Filipino drag.

“You [Jiggly] were there when all I had were dreams. Now that some of them are finally coming true, I can’t even show you. Ma Jiggly naman e. I will miss you so much,” Maxie, winner of Drag Race Philippines season three, said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.

The official RuPaul’s Drag Race social media accounts have also expressed their devastation with the news.

“Her talent, truth, and impact will never be forgotten, and her legacy will continue to slay — always. We’re holding her family, friends, and fans close in our hearts during this difficult time,” the show’s X (formerly Twitter) account stated in a post.

Meanwhile, her brother Giancarlo Arabejo has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser in order to put together a memorial ‘befitting her bright spirit’, and a celebration of her life and the lives she has touched. The raised money will also go towards paying medical bills, funeral services, and other related expenses — with any excess funds going towards causes Caliente has advocated for.

Caliente's family described her legacy as one filled with love, courage, and light. And even if she is not here physically anymore, her voice, advocacies, and the impact she made on the world will never be forgotten. 

As the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in the Philippines continues onward, whether you knew her as Jiggly Caliente or Bianca Castro-Arebejo, will forever be celebrated as a pillar of support and excellence by those who have been graced with her presence and radiance.