Finding Purpose and Strength in Stillness and Grief | Zymba Ding | TEDxAteneodeManilaU
In the Philippine drag scene, Zymba Ding is known as the fierce, fearless, and ferocious drag superstar that is never afraid to push the boundaries of performance and authenticity. In this talk, Zymba shows a side of her unknown to many as she bares her story of experiencing loss within her family while forging her identity as a drag queen.Zymba shares how drag was an escape for her—a platform for her to experience the glitz, glamour, and the applause of life. At the same time, she was struggling with the loss of her father and sister. Zymba explains how her success in drag felt heavy and how her happiest moments were overshadowed by the grief over her loss of the people that mattered to her the most. However, she never let her grief stand in the way of her dreams. She emphasized how she transformed her grief into the looks and performances that allowed her to witness her survival and create the drag queen known today as Zymba Ding.To Zymba, stillness is not the absence of movement, rather it is the presence of meaning. Zymba proclaims that in the stillness of her grief, she found meaning in her art and her soul in drag. Zymba emphasizes that grief is part of life’s path and that it is something people go through.
Formerly a contestant on Drag Race Philippines Season 3, Zymba Ding is a rising drag performer. In just over a year, she has managed to earn titles in competitions such as Dragdagulan, Ikaw Nemen, and Bunganga Battle Royale. Zymba takes pride in incorporating her Christian identity within drag, aiming to bridge two seemingly different worlds through her strong performances. Her representation of her hometown and history with leprosy is evidence of her love for the craft and unapologetic spirit, making her one of the most promising new voices in Philippine drag. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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