Kelvin Miranda claps back at toxic masculinity

Kelvin Miranda, one of the breakout stars of the upcoming Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre, is making waves — this time not with a sword, but with style. The young actor’s recent cover feature in Rank Magazine’s second The Hot Damn! issue stirred conversations online after his bold, body-confident, and boundary-pushing editorial look drew both admiration and unwarranted hate.

Dressed in edgy, high-fashion ensembles that celebrated his sculpted physique and fearless take on modern masculinity, Kelvin redefined what it means to be a leading man in today’s entertainment landscape. But while many hailed the shoot as refreshing and empowering, others hurled derogatory labels, calling him “bakla” in a feeble attempt to insult him for embracing non-traditional masculine fashion.

This sparked a social media uproar — with fans and fellow creatives quickly coming to Kelvin’s defense. “Hindi pagiging bakla ang pagiging fashion-forward,” one netizen fired back. “Kelvin is secure in who he is. That’s real masculinity.”

Others pointed out the tired and toxic mindset still prevalent in online spaces. “It’s 2025. Can we stop equating style with sexuality already?” a user wrote.

Rank Magazine itself made its mission clear. The Hot Damn! issue was created to “celebrate the many layers of modern masculinity” — showing that strength and sensitivity, power and vulnerability, are not opposites but can coexist beautifully in one person.

Despite the backlash, Kelvin remains unfazed. Supporters continue to praise him for embracing authenticity and pushing back against outdated gender expectations. His choice to confidently stand in the intersection of art, fashion, and identity is being seen as a bold step — not just for his own career, but for the industry at large.

“He’s not afraid to stand out,” one fan tweeted. “And that’s exactly why he’s rising.”