There hasn’t been any transwoman villain in Philippine entertainment herstory. Maybe because most stories of trans people, or people from the LGBTQIA+ community, are about oppression, about rising up to the challenges and being the bigger person amidst the discrimination and cruelty. But for Bambi Moreno, it’s time for stories that champion strong LGBTQIA+ characters, and maybe even take on the villain or kontrabida role.

Through the years, a lot of transwomen have penetrated and succeeded in the entertainment industry. Iyah Mina is the first transwoman to have won Best Actress at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival in Rod Singh’s Mamu; and a Mother Too, which followed Best Actress nominations at the FAMAS and Gawad Urian Awards. Kaladkaren was also recognized and won Best Supporting Actress at the first Summer Metro Manila Film Festival in 2023 for Here Comes The Groom. And recently, though not a transwoman, Vice Ganda won the Best Actor award at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 for Call Me Mother.

While Bambi doesn’t deny how easy it was, or at least easier than most in the LGBTQIA+ community, for her to decide and transition because of how privileged and liberal her family is, she recognizes that representation still has a long way to go. The lack of kontrabida actors in the Philippines—notably those from the LGBTQIA+ community, who are virtually non-existent in such roles—made her realize how she wants to break the mold and redefine what a trans character can be on screen.

Rather than being relegated to the comic relief or the tragic victim, Bambi is ready to embrace the power of the antagonist. When asked who she wants to work with, if granted, Bambi wants to be the villain in the story of Mara Clara, portrayed by Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes. Yes, she wants to be the kontrabida to both Mara and Clara.

When asked who she wants to work with, if granted, Bambi wants to be the villain in the story of Mara Clara, portrayed by Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes. Yes, she wants to be the kontrabida to both Mara and Clara.

“Lahat ng gusto nilang ipagawa, gagawin ko,” shares Bambi on what she’s willing to do on her comeback project.

With her return to the Philippines, Bambi Moreno isn’t just reclaiming her place in the industry; she’s carving out a new path for those who will follow, proving that in the world of storytelling, it’s finally time for the “queens” to play the “villains.”

Watch our whole interview here: