Trans icons Lance Reblando, Nic Chien inspire theater dreams for next-gen ‘trans nene,’ ‘trans totoy’

Trans icons Lance Reblando, Nic Chien spark hope as more trans youth eye theater spotlight.

They are paving the way for “future trans nene at trans totoy” to step onto the theater stage.

For trans theater icons Lance Reblando and Nic Chien, that vision is no longer just a dream—it’s already taking shape.

Fresh from their stint in “Mizzcast: Musical Theater Backwards” on June 25, Reblando took to Instagram to share a quiet but powerful moment with Chien, posting a selfie from inside a theater that has become more than just a performance space—it’s a symbol of possibility.

“This man right here!! Kami ay living proof na kaya ng trans!!” Reblando wrote, underscoring a reality that once felt out of reach: trans artists not just participating in theater, but thriving in it.

Reblando admitted it brings them to tears to realize they are now among the people young queer dreamers may look up to—those same “trans nene at trans totoy” who dare to imagine themselves under stage lights someday.

Beyond the celebration, there was also a quiet call to action. Reblando expressed hope for more opportunities and a continuously inclusive space in the arts, writing, “Hindi ito ang huli nating pagkikita, Nic! Sana dumami pa sa teatro ang mga kagaya natin!”

Reblando closed the post with a message that’s both personal and poetic: “Mahal kita! Lipad! Mahiwaga ka!”—a cheer not just for Chien, but for everyone still waiting in the wings, ready for their turn.

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