RIDING THE WAVES OF ACTIVISM
Tatler Malaysia|June 2023
From Hawaiians battling for their sovereignty to long-haired hippies safeguarding the planet, surfers have been politically active for centuries. Now, young surfers in Asia are fighting for a better future
Salomé Grouard
RIDING THE WAVES OF ACTIVISM

“Surfing has a deep history of white-washing and racism. I really wanted to take the opportunity to show our pride: I wanted to empower the brownness in us, as well as the femininity of our culture.”

To challenge the postcolonial narratives of what it means to be Filipino, Geotina dubbed his project Pearls, a reference to a line from the national anthem, Perlas ng Silangan, that translates to “pearl of the Orient”.

With the help of surf photographers Bren Fuentes and Jose Mirasol, Geotina captured his friends riding the waves while wearing the traditional Filipiniana style of dresses. He included both cis and trans women in his project as a way of highlighting the role Spanish colonialism and Christianity played in the repression of gender diversity in the country. The clothes, Geotina says, have both a metaphorical and physical weight. Soaked in water, the women’s ability to surf while wearing them proves both their talent and resilience. The decision to produce them in black and white, he says, adds to their timelessness.

The Pearls project, which was symbolically released on Philippines Independence Day in 2021, quickly went viral, generating thousands of likes, shares and comments on social media from both the local and international community. It has also been exhibited outside the Philippines.

After extending the project to feature surfers from Indonesia, Geotina says that Pearls evolved organically into “a project for humanity, transcending the boundaries of myself and my team.

“Never has a project I’ve done met so much success. It shows how much the people of the Philippines, and of the rest of Asia, need to be included in the global surfing conversation.”

INDONESIA

FLORA CHRISTIN Female empowerment

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TATLER MALAYSIAView all
How Working Out Transforms Your Skin
Tatler Malaysia

How Working Out Transforms Your Skin

When we think about the benefits of exercise, glowing skin might not be the first thing that comes to mind. That said, getting that sweat going is not only great for your body but also an absolute game-changer for your skin

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Mane Attraction
Tatler Malaysia

Mane Attraction

Dr Chang Chee Seong of Kaiteki Clinic shares his expert insights on hair loss, from the most common causes to cutting-edge solutions and what to expect on the journey of hair recovery

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Body Manscaping
Tatler Malaysia

Body Manscaping

Discover the entrepreneurial journey of Jared Chuah, cofounder of Nateskin, and how this Malaysian brand is breaking taboos around men's grooming, particularly below the belt

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Skin Superfoods
Tatler Malaysia

Skin Superfoods

Glow from within with these six ingredients that are good for your complexion

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Elevated Wellness
Tatler Malaysia

Elevated Wellness

Discover Amani Biohacking Club: Malaysia's first biohacking society for optimal leadership and life balance

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
The Dior Warrior
Tatler Malaysia

The Dior Warrior

Drawing inspiration from the world of sports and the strength of female Amazonian warriors, Maria Grazia Chiuri redefines empowered femininity as something both graceful and formidable for Dior's spring-summer 2025 collection

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL - MALAYSIA
Tatler Malaysia

ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL - MALAYSIA

Meet the country's most influential individuals: 100 prominent figures who are changing the landscape in Malaysia across industries in our main categories, from business and STEM, to social impact and culture.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Innovating with Purpose
Tatler Malaysia

Innovating with Purpose

Chor Chee Hoe, co-founder of Qarbotech, talks about how carbon-based innovations are changing the face of farming and ensuring a greener, more productive future

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Grounded Vision
Tatler Malaysia

Grounded Vision

Minister of housing and local government, Nga Kor Ming shares the personal experiences and guiding principles that have shaped him, revealing the thoughtful man behind politician

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Raising Penang's Bar
Tatler Malaysia

Raising Penang's Bar

Backdoor Bodega's Koh Yung Shen is elevating Penang's bar scene with Penang Cocktail Week

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024