In this personal video, Jethro Patalinghug (also known as Virginia Please) recounts his early career as a member of the Filipino hip‑hop/R&B boy band KIR (Keepin' It Real) about 26 years ago, alongside Canadian bandmates Lawrence (Rockboy) and Kenneth (Kenjohn). He describes the nascent state of K‑pop and the limited popularity of such groups in the Philippines at the time, and explains how, as a queer artist, he faced prejudice and hidden his identity, which ultimately contributed to stepping away from music. He emphasizes the profound allyship and brotherhood he received from Lawrence and Kenneth, who accepted and protected him despite societal hostility. Marking Pride Month, Jethro delivers a heartfelt message about the vital role of allies for queer individuals, celebrating the supportive friendship that helped him survive a hostile industry. He announces that KIR has reunited after many years and will release new music and a music video this coming Monday, inviting viewers to check out his solo work as Jethro/Virginia Please.
Chapters
I was part of a boy band. Yes, for real. About 26 years ago, before Virginia Please, before the artworks and the films, I was part of a boy band called KIR, which stands for Keepin' It Real. This was a very different time, and K-pop was still isolated in Korea, I believe so, and it had not taken over the world yet. And in the Philippines, a hip-hop and R&B boy band was not exactly as popular as it should have been, although we sort of kind of made it. My bandmates were Canadians Lawrence and Kenneth, or better known as Rockboy and Kenjohn. Nowadays. Check out their music if you have time, they are both incredibly talented. But more than that, Laurence and Kenneth became my brothers. At a time in the Philippines where entertainment could be very cruel to queer people like me, Kenneth and Laurence accepted me. They protected me. And believe me, back then there was no space for openly queer artists in the Philippines. We tried to hide that part of me as much as we could, but there were probably times where we lost opportunities because people found out who I was. That was actually one of the reasons why I stopped pursuing music. But Ken and Laurence never disappeared in my life. We went our different paths, but we stayed connected all throughout the years. We kept creating in our own ways, and we all kept coming back to music. And as a queer person, I know how lucky I am to have men like them in my life. They chose love over prejudice. They chose friendship over fear. They were never insecure about their own identities, so they never made me feel small because of mine. And even now that I am known as Virginia Please, They fully accept me. They are not scared or embarrassed about who I am. That is what real allyship looks like. Keeping it real. And because it is Pride Month, I wanted to say this: Allies matter. The people who stand beside us, especially when the world makes it hard, can change the course of our lives. And newsflash! After all these years, KIR has reunited. We made new music together, and we are releasing it this coming Monday with a music video. So stay tuned! And if you have time, please check out my music under Jethro, aka Virginia Please. Happy Pride Good evening, everyone.
