Today I talk with Enzo Escober about his profile of the trans Filipina model Geena Rocero in LA Review of Books titled “Homespun Tiara.” We discuss the gender fluid indigenous history of the Philippines, the colonial history of the Philippines, its Catholic fiesta culture and trans beauty pageants, American imperialism, the long reach of American soft power, legal recognition versus cultural recognition for trans people in the Philippines and the US, and the complicated feelings that accompany expatriation to the US. “We left in the name of opportunity but the reason opportunities are so limited in the first place in the Philippines is because of colonialism.” - Enzo Escober.