FILIPINO-AMERICAN beauty and fashion influencer Bretman Rock held a book signing event with Filipino fans on Saturday, March 4, at the SM Megamall Mega Fashion Hall.

This book signing event is part of the promotion for his recently published book You’re That Bitch: & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself.

Published on Valentine’s Day, the book is an honest, comical, and inspiring memoir that would give its readers a roller coaster of emotions as Bretman recalls his experiences as a child, an immigrant in the United States, his love for Hawaii, and his journey to stardom.

His book retails for P1,599 and is available nationwide at any National Book Store outlet.

Bretman’s journey as an author

The Filipino content creator started writing the book in 2019 after he visited the country with his family.

“So I actually started writing the book the last time I was in the Philippines, which is in 2019. I just got back home in Hawaii and my dad was there and I was like ‘I think I need to write a book!’ And four years later, I’m back home, releasing my book and it’s a full circle moment,” Bretman shared.

The 24-year-old also shared with his fans that there were moments when he felt there was nothing else to talk about.

But as per Bretman, the journals he had since high school helped him write the book.

“When I was offered the book, I was 18 years old, I had just signed with my agency and I thought I had nothing to write about,” he said. 

“I thought I was just gonna post, you know, tasteful nudes and coffee table books, kinda like [what] Kim Kardashian and Rihanna did. But looking over the three journals I had that I started to have since high school, and it was full of many things I wanted to write about and it really helped to process the writing of the book, it made it so easy but it did take three years,” he added.

Hardest part about writing the memoir

When asked about his struggles while writing his first book, Bretman said he found it arduous to be serious as he was always the “funny cousin” type.

“I would say the hardest part about writing the book was, obviously, trying to be, like, vulnerable because as a Filipino, I’m very… I treat things as a joke, seeing the silver lining in everything,” said Bretman. “And I think just like getting myself to cry and not joke about everything is probably the hardest part for me, being serious.”

‘Bekiman Rock’ in the Philippine cinemas?

Bretman also mentioned in his book that he wants to become an action-comedy star someday. 

He also said he is open to doing a film in Manila when given the opportunity.

“I feel like if I were to film something I would love to do like a superhero movie here, like super bakla or something. Yeah, Bekiman, Bekiman Rock,” he said.

Bretman’s message to fans

Apart from being grateful for the overwhelming support he received from fans, Bretman also shared one life lesson he learned from his previous experiences — that is to be unapologetically themselves.

“I know that’s easier said than done but truly, once you become you, become who you are supposed to be, everything will just fall [into place]. Be yourself, be unapologetically Filipino. Be unapologetically queer. Be unapologetically moreno, morena, mestiza, whatever you identify as. Just be you. Period.”

What fans say about Bretman

Trixie has been a fan of the Hawaii-based influencer for over a decade. She said watching Bretman never failed to paint a smile on her face and inspire her to strive to become a better version of herself.

“Bukod sa syempre, fellow Filipino s’ya, part din ako ng LGBT, nakakatuwa ‘yung mga videos n’ya, inspiring yung mga quotes n’ya and it drives me na maging mas mabuting tao,” she said while holding a copy of Bretman’s new book.

Trixie (left) with her friends Thea (middle) and Yel (right) as they lined up for the book signing event.

Meanwhile, Federick, who has been a fan of Bretman since 2016, shared that the influencer motivates him to feel better about himself. 

“Bretman is one of the people na nagpaboost ng confidence ko,” he said. “Every time na sinasabi n’ya na parang don’t give a f*ck, don’t mind everybody, parang dati di ko siya pinapansin but now, realizing na sinasabi nya yun, he really influenced me as a person.”

Federick posing with his copy of Bretman’s memoir and their first photo together taken in 2019.

Bretman’s influence doesn’t only involve boosting people’s self-esteem. He has also helped many queer individuals to come out of the closet and embrace their identities.

Joshua, a fine arts student, said they look up to Bretman because of this. 

“Nung time na yon, hindi pa ako out, doon sa mga napapanuod ko parang hinelp n’ya ako to realize and embrace who I am,” they told republicasia.

“Ngayon, nasusuot ko na yung mga feminine clothes na comfortable ako and nasusuot ko na sya sa public,” Joshua added.

Joshua with a portrait of Bretman they painted themself.