Filipino- American social media personality Bretman Rock wears Cordilleran Lingling-o

Tabuk City, Kalinga - With over 35 million social media followers, Bretman Rock Sacayanan Laforga, a beauty and lifestyle influencer born in Sanchez-Mira, Cagayan, Philippines but raised in Hawaii, went on his Instagram account and flexed his new hairstyle matching it with the Cordilleran lingling-o.

Lingling-o is a jade or metal ornament, worn as earrings or pendants, and used by northern Philippine groups like the Kalinga, Bontoc, Gaddang, and Ifugao. The term 'Lingling-o' was adopted from the Mayoyao, Ifugao by anthropologist Henry Otley Beyer.

Said symbol is seen as a fusion of feminine and masculine energies, believed to hold spiritual power and represent life-giving duality; traditionally associated with fertility, virility, and good fortune.

On Sunday, September 7, Rock, a proud member of the rainbow community, identifying as both gay and non-binary, rocked the internet after showcasing his new hairstyle paired with the traditional ornament.

Rock is renowned for his positive influence and contributions to entertainment and an advocate for representation and identity to which he was even honored by the Hawaii House of Representatives just by simply being himself.

The icon posted his pictures with the caption: “Some pics to show you hairstylist on your next apt.”

Cordillerans who saw the post responded with admiration, thanking Rock for supporting and promoting the culture of Cordillerans by wearing the lingling-o as part of his advocacy for inclusivity.