Keb Cuevas

Early life and education Keb Cuevas was born as Kevin San Miguel Cuevas on October 6, 1995, in Las Piñas City and is of Chinese-Filipino descent. He is the first child of a tricycle driver and a sari-sari store owner and has a younger sister. Growing up, Cuevas started working at a very young age, participating in amateur singing contests to help finance his education, and helped run his family's computer shop business until he moved to Los Baños, Laguna for college. He completed his elementary education in 2008 at Almanza Elementary School, where he served as associate editor of the school paper.

He then pursued advanced studies in economics at Brown University from a scholarship of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs.

Outside traditional media, Cuevas produces explainer videos on TikTok, where he discusses topics such as science education, food myths, economics and public policy. He also covers urban agriculture, standards of identity for food, and board exam review content, offering science-backed guidance to students and general viewers.

Entrepreneurship and innovation policy In 2019, at age 22, Cuevas co-founded Tagani, an agri-tech startup that began as an online marketplace and expanded into an education and digital solutions platform for farmers. Tagani also partnered with the Department of Agriculture under the Kadiwa program to enhance market access for smallholder farmers.

In 2021, Cuevas joined the National Economic and Development Authority as part of the National Innovation Council, where he became chief of the Innovation Policy Monitoring and Evaluation Division. He led the framework formulation of the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document, the flagship policy output mandated by the Philippine Innovation Act.

Corporate and data science work Since 2018, Cuevas has worked as a digital transformation consultant for government agencies and NGOs, using data science to improve public services and promote evidence-informed policy. He previously served as head of analytics at Solaire Resort & Casino and as head of data science for a cybersecurity company.

In 2020, Cuevas addressed systemic issues in the Philippine agricultural sector, particularly the economic vulnerability of farmers due to exploitative intermediaries. He pointed to the role of social enterprises and non-governmental organizations in supporting marginalized producers, while also proposing solutions such as the construction of additional postharvest facilities and the implementation of transparent pricing mechanisms to improve market access. He has also encouraged more conscious consumer behavior, urging Filipinos to be informed about the sources of their food and to support local producers.

Cuevas advocates for the modernization of agriculture through digital technologies and greater youth engagement in farming. Drawing inspiration from models in countries such as Kenya, he emphasizes the role of social media and e-commerce in connecting farmers to markets, disseminating knowledge, and transforming the public perception of agriculture as a viable and modern career path.

In partnership with Save the Philippine Seas in 2022, Cuevas emphasized the urgent need for climate change adaptation in agriculture. He identified climate-related threats such as extreme weather, shifting precipitation patterns, and the spread of plant diseases, and advocated for the use of climate-resilient crops, sustainable farming practices, and strong policies that promote environmental stewardship and food security.

LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality and cultural advocacy

Cuevas is a vocal advocate for women's rights and the LGBTQ+ community, with a focus on anti-discrimination, inclusion, and sexual and reproductive health. He supports the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill and has expressed public support for same-sex marriage and greater access to HIV/AIDS prevention, including the promotion of PrEP.

His advocacy extends to collaborative initiatives with platforms like TikTok and Queer Safe Spaces, where he helps amplify queer visibility and awareness campaigns. Cuevas has also participated in events such as pride marches and other community-driven gatherings celebrating LGBTQ+ expression.

In 2021, Cuevas became involved in public discourse surrounding Nas Daily and his online learning content featuring tribal tattoo artist Whang-od. Cuevas raised concerns about cultural appropriation and representation, contributing to broader discussions on ethical storytelling and responsible social entrepreneurship in the Philippines.

Kym Chua Valencia (drag artist) Kym Chua Valencia, sometimes referred to as Kym Chua or mononymously as Miss Kym, is the drag persona of by Keb Cuevas, particularly in the Filipino drag and LGBTQ+ advocacy scene.

The name Kym was given by fellow drag artist Salmo Nella, who originally introduced him as Kimberly Valencia at Hoesik Bar & Lounge. As a nod to his Chinese heritage, he added Chua to the name, while Kym was inspired by the popular Chinese-Filipino actress Kim Chiu. Himself Contestant