ABOUT.
Bold, refreshing and deeply embodied, Buddy’s artistry continually redefines his creative boundaries, crafting layered and introspective reflections on identity, cultural memory and belonging.
Buddy Malbasias is a Filipino Australian (Bukidnon-born) independent artist-researcher, director, choreographer and performer. With a rich movement history (from award-winning hip-hop crews, street style to contemporary dance, improvisation, theatre), his practice now exists at the intersection of contemporary performance, w_acking and interdisciplinary experimentation.
His debut independent work, Bahala/o presented by Metro Arts, received critical acclaim, earning a Stage Buzzie Award for Best Sound Design and a 5 star rating from Stagedoor Podcast, positioning him as a bold and rigorous emerging voice. Recognised by Creative Futures as a “creative powerhouse,” his practice spans professional, cultural and community contexts, with recognition from Balay Kasamtangan (Philippines) and the Brisbane Philippine Consulate for his cultural leadership. A leading figure in the Magandjin w_acking community, Buddy continues to nurture and empower dance within community spaces.
Rooted in the Filipino diaspora, Buddy’s practice navigates cultural hybridity, queer identity and imaginative world-building to reimagine the 'immigrant Filipino' body in performance. Working across dance, theatre and design, his shapeshifting works blend movement, text and found objects to create thought-provoking experiences—part self-exploration, part sociocultural reflection. His ongoing inquiry into Kapwa (shared self) invites audiences to engage with notions of belonging, heritage and embodied memory.
Supported through prestigious national and international residencies, his practice spans major organisations including Ars Electronica (Austria), Stephanie Lake Company, Brisbane Festival, Metro Arts, Queensland Museum, Australasian Dance Collective, Studio1, The Farm and Catapult Dance. His portfolio of works includes Lato2x (panel-selected), Anino (award-winning), Obserbahi (QLD Museum) and Project Bugas, reflecting a sustained track record of developing and presenting contemporary performance across diverse contexts.
Images & Video by Georgia Haupt
His recent accolades include the 2026 Lord Mayor Creative Fellowship (QLD), Metro Arts Performance Program (QLD), Stage Buzz Award (QlD), Studio1 Creative Funded Residency (QLD), Studio1 x Catapult Dance East-Coast EXCHANGE (QLD/NSW), Backbone Funded Hub Residency (QLD), Blackbird Foundation Grant (AU/NZ), Festival University Scholarship (EU), Waacking Inferno X Club Concept Performance First Prize (VIC), AFTRS Scholarship (NSW) and Sharp Short Dance on Film Award (AUS).
Images by Retrograde Films
"There is no doubt Buddy is one of the most exciting new choreographic voices in Queensland and we are deeply pleased to be able to present the world premiere of his NEW dance/theatre work, Bahala/o." -Benjamin Knapton, Metro Arts Season Launch 2025
“As a distinctive and rising choreographic voice, Buddy’s practice is refreshing and making a profound impact on the Queensland dance landscape. Bahala/o is a testament to his unique artistry—an ambitious and deeply considered work that demands to be seen.” -Lisa Wilson, Studio1 2025
Image by Georgia Haupt
Malbasias is a Queensland University of Technology Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) University Medalist (Summa Cum Laude) and scholarship recpient, now becoming a dynamic voice in QLD’s artistic landscape. Through choreographic and embodied methodologies, his works construct immersive performance ecologies that challenge conventional spectatorship, centre diasporic narratives and generate critical dialogue within contemporary performance.
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