Alex Bruce bites the snake, not the apple, in new anthem 'Gabriela'
At just 19, Alex Bruce has already learned what many artists spend a lifetime chasing: the confidence to trust her own voice. In her latest single, Gabriela, the hip-hop artist from the Philippines delivers a track that is equal parts playful and pointed, flipping biblical imagery on its head and calling out those who talk big without the skills to back it up.
The song's title pays homage to Gabriela Silang, the Filipina revolutionary known for her courage and defiance. Bruce says she wanted to channel that same spirit of standing her ground, but on her own terms, in her own era.
One line stands out as the track's boldest statement: Kakagatin ko 'yung ahas kesa sa mansanas, which translates to biting the snake instead of the apple. It is a direct reimagining of the story of Eve, a choice Bruce explains with a knowing smile.
Why flip the story of Eve?
For Bruce, the line is about agency. Instead of taking the fruit, she chooses the serpent. It is a metaphor for confronting challenges head-on rather than taking the easy path. The rapper says she wanted to play with the imagery in a way that felt fresh and unapologetic.
That spirit runs through the entire track. She takes aim at male arrogance with lines like Talking too loud, eh di ka naman equipped, and nods to Beyoncé with Ladies, you know who run the world, we do. The song moves from street-level taunts to pop culture references without missing a beat.
Trusting yourself when others don't
Bruce admits that confidence did not come easily. She says she had to work at it, and she still has moments of doubt. But she has learned to move forward even when she is not completely sure of herself. That shift, she explains, has been the key difference between the artist she is now and the 12-year-old who first started rapping.
Back then, she felt she had to prove she was more than just a young girl with a talent for rhymes. Now, she says, she no longer feels the need to explain herself. She can simply do the work.
Connecting with 'Bilyarista'
The song has found a home beyond her own catalog. Gabriela is featured on the soundtrack of Bilyarista, a film that premiered at the International Film Festival of India last November. The movie follows a young woman navigating the male-dominated world of billiards, a story Bruce says resonated deeply with her.
Both the film and the song, she notes, are about women being sure of themselves in spaces where they are not always expected to belong. Seeing her music become part of someone else's narrative, she admits, feels surreal.
Confidence seen differently for men and women
Bruce has firsthand experience with the double standards around confidence. A confident man, she observes, is simply seen as confident. A confident woman, on the other hand, can be labeled intimidating or too much. She has faced that criticism herself, but she refuses to shrink to make others comfortable.
She would rather be honest about who she is, even if it makes some people uneasy.
More space for women in Pinoy hip-hop
Looking at the landscape of Filipino hip-hop, Bruce sees progress. Women have always been part of the scene, she says, but now more of them are being heard and owning their space. She cites Ate Ruby Ibarra as an inspiration, praising how confidently she represents herself and her roots.
The growing number of young women entering the scene fills Bruce with excitement for what comes next.
What's next for Alex Bruce?
For now, Bruce is focused on experimentation. She does not want to be boxed into one sound or one version of herself. She has plenty of ideas she wants to try, and she is eager to share them with her fans.
If Gabriela is any indication, whatever comes next will be worth the wait.