H.E.R. Opens Up About Her Filipino Identity As Vogue Philippines’ Latest Cover Star

While spending the vacations within the Philippines together with her household, H.E.R. sat down with Vogue Philippines — which launched this previous August — to speak about the whole lot from her Black and Filipina American id to her household and tradition, together with her favourite Filipino meals.

1.

H.E.R.’s actual identify is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, however she goes by Gabi.

2.

In 2014, H.E.R. launched her first single below the identify Gabi Wilson. Two years later, she selected to reinvent herself as an nameless singer-songwriter (H.E.R. is an acronym for “Having Everything Revealed”) to permit her music to shine.

3.

While H.E.R. can perceive Tagalog, she’s not snug talking it. So, she requested her mother to assist her follow earlier than they went to the Philippines.

4.

She collaborated with Beauty and the Beast costume designer Marina Toybina to signify her Black and Filipino tradition aesthetically. As a consequence, they wrote “Belle” on her apron in Baybayin (historical Philippine writing).

5.

H.E.R.’s favourite Filipino meals is sinigang (a traditional bitter and savory tamarind stew). “My grandma makes the best sinigang,” she added.

6.

When she was 11, H.E.R. was on an episode of weekly journal discuss present Adobo Nation on TFC (The Filipino Channel), the place she was launched as “the girl with ginormous talent” and sang “Maging Sino Ka Man.“

7.

She bought a sequence with the Filipino flag, the solar, and the celebrities for Saweetie, who can also be of Filipino and Black heritage (in addition to Chinese).

8.

Adobo, a soy-vinegar marinated dish, reminds H.E.R. of her tita Joan. “She makes the best adobo,” H.E.R. stated, earlier than including, “and it’s not complete without saging,” a sweetened banana-based dessert.

9.

In 2019, H.E.R. returned to the Philippines for the primary time since she was 4. She introduced her speedy household together with her, and so they visited her mom’s previous dwelling. “She’s from Nueva Ecija, Cabanatuan City, the tricycle capital of the world,” H.E.R. said of her mother. “It was a humbling expertise too, simply to see. … Since that journey, I felt much more linked to my roots.”

10.

H.E.R. is aware of a ton of Pinoy popular culture, having grown up watching Home Along Da Riles and as a fan of Sharon Cuneta, Gary V., and Jay-R.

11.

While in Manila for the vacations, H.E.R. bumped into Jo Koy in her lodge, and he acknowledged how blessed they had been to have the ability to convey their households to the Philippines.

12.

Growing up, H.E.R.’s after-school snack was Choc Nut (a chocolate sweet bar).

13.

Lastly, whereas many people might acknowledge H.E.R. by her sun shades and signature massive hair, she’s been embracing bolder appears to be like and sharing extra of herself past her H.E.R. persona.