The current feature visual novel, this 2-hour long story has 4 possible endings you can achieve.
Download Requirements:
- 350 MB of space
- At least Windows 7 or Apple Version 10.10+
- CPU: 2.0 Ghz 64-bit Intel-compatible
- RAM: 2.0 GB
- Graphics: OpenGL 3.0 or DirectX 11
To play the visual novel, click on either of the WINDOWS or MAC download buttons. Then, extract the folder from the downloaded zip file and open the EXE file.
The online version of the visual novel is in the visual novel’s itch.io page which is accessible through the ITCH.IO button! You may also download the WINDOWS or MAC files from there.
Story & Characters
A queer Filipino-American teenager in Virginia tries to find themself through guitar chords and lyrics from the heart.
Facing challenges from their school, their friends, and their own family, Gabi gains the courage to fight for themself, and for the people like them as well.
GABI SANTAN
Our main character, they are a nonbinary Filipino-American senior high school student in Virginia. Stuck in an in-between-ness of being Filipino and LGBTQ+, Gabi finds comfort in music and eventually a history they learn through a book about pre-colonial Philippines.
VINCE TONGCO
The laid-back, academically-gifted, childhood friend of Gabi from the same Filipino-American community they grew up in. He seems to have his stuff together and goes with Gabi's every whim, although there is more than meets the eye and he's not afraid to bite back.
LEILA TRAN
A part-timer at their local library and a long-time friend of Gabi. Filled with positivity, she's more of a figure of affection to Gabi more than they would like to admit.
JULIE CHU
The president of the Asian American Union club Gabi is a member of. Taking pride in her Chinese heritage, she commits to her advocacy of making the Asian-American and other marginalized students feel safer in their high school.
GABI'S PARENTS
Mr. and Mrs. Santan who migrated to the United States just before Gabi was born. They want what's best for their child.
Original Song: HALAGA
Also known as the song Gabi composes in the story, Halaga is an original commissioned song written by Marcy Raven Zapanta. You may view her works or contact her here:
Original Filipino Lyrics
Ano’ng tanong mo a’kin kaibigan?
Hindi kanais-nais panindigan
Pa’no mo malalaman kung sino kaba sa puso mo?
Ang hirap nang mabuhay sa lipunan
Naliligaw, nalilito sa katawan
Sabi ng mga iba masama talagang maging ganyan
Makikinig ka ba?
Kahit saan ako tignan
Ang tunay na ako ay lilitaw
Kahit sino pa man ang pupuna
Di magbabago kaluluwa at tunay na halaga
English Translation
My friend, what do you ask?
It’s not easy standing behind it
How would you know in your heart who you truly are?
It’s so hard to live in this world
Being lost, being confused with the body
The others say it’s horrible to be that way
Are you listening?
No matter where I look
The true me will appear
No matter who demeans me
My soul and true worth will not change
The Inspiration
On their college admission essay, Aida (they/she) wrote about their queer self-discovery in relation to their Filipino heritage as an Asian-American. They linked their identity to the history of queer Filipinos, framing it as the foundation for their current advocacy and activism for LGBTQ+ and Asian rights in the United States.
I was natural. I was grounded in history. I wasn't strange. I was always here.
This visual novel takes heavy inspiration from the journey Aida recounted in their essay, how they waded through western standards of being LGBTQ+ and micro-labels in an attempt to justify their complicated identity, while simultaneously experiencing racism, homophobia, and transphobia from their local communities. Upon discovering the babaylan, a role in pre-colonial Filipino society that accepted and celebrated trans-ness and femininity, Aida had felt enlightened that they could connect their ethnic heritage with their queerness. Through their participation in the Thespian Society, the Jamestown Asian Student Union, and in protest towards the Virginia State Board, they continue their advocacy of Asian-American education in public high schools.