The cast of “Drag Den Philippines” with host, Filipino-American drag queen Manila Luzon, and judges Nicole Cordoves and Sassa Gurl. Image: Instagram/@dragdenph
Drag queens embody what it means to be fearless. Fancy looks and powerful performances aside, they aim to shatter socio-political issues and certain ideologies — especially when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community — to defy conventional norms.
Challenging social norms in a conservative country like the Philippines is a tall order, but the contestants and creator of “Drag Den Philippines” prove why drag is indeed political through their advocacies, sprinkled with their signature tawdry humor.
Drag as a message
“I believe that drag has a purpose. You remind yourself that it’s not just about being pretty,” drag performer Pura Luka Vega said at a press conference. “You have to set a clear perspective and message to everyone who’s watching to challenge these ideas that might be detrimental for certain groups of people, particularly with the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Touching on the topic of religion, Pura Luka Vega spoke up against certain “notions that the LGBTQIA+ community will go to hell for being gay.”
“Not really. If Jesus was alive, he would love everyone,” she said, much to the applause of her fellow queens.
Aries Night, whose real name is Thom Cipriano, said being a drag queen is not just about herself.
“My drag is a culmination of everything that I fight for and believe in. It’s not just about me, Aries Night. I’m here to send a message to them, let’s say sa mga ibang nagdi-disagree sa mga paniniwala ko. At the end of the day, kung nasa tama ka naman, bakit ka matatakot,” she added.
Despite the critics, Aries makes sure to remember the purpose of why she chose to be a drag queen. “It all goes back to your intent, ‘yung purpose mo of why you’re doing drag. I find it easier to process if I know that my drag is not about myself,” she said.
Accepting criticisms in stride
“Drag Den PH” takes a cue from barangay pageants on paper, but it offers an experience that demands more from society. Throughout the show’s run, it hopes to break away from marginal spaces and to fight for acceptance.
Despite its clear purpose, show creator and filmmaker Rod Singh admitted that the show receives criticisms even from the fans itself.
“Isa sa naging training namin is to process critics and bashers,” Singh shared, admitting that some of the contestants are new to the showbiz industry. “Ang ginagawa ko to help them process kung ano man ang nakukuha nila. We can never get rid of them but at least, we have an avenue to move forward.”
Singh also revealed that some of the show’s critiques are valid.
“May mga valid naman. ‘Yung mapapaisip kami na, ‘If only nagawa namin ‘yun.’ Siyempre, ino-note namin ‘yun. Pero of course, may mga criticisms na misplaced and out of context,” she said. “How do we move forward? Pag-usapan natin at dedma.”
As a veteran performer, Lady Gagita admitted that she started filming for the drag reality show when she faced criticisms for her political beliefs.
“Nagsimula ako sa time noong marami pang issues ang binabato sa’kin. I believe that the best way to move forward is to count your blessings,” Lady Gagita, whose real name is Vinzon Leojay Booc, said. “You have to surround yourself with people na naniniwala sa iyo. Kung mabibilang mo lang ‘yung bashers sa kamay, bakit mo pa kailangang mag-exert ng effort and energy with them?”
Honesty in drag
The essence of drag lies in the art of impersonation. Performers take on various roles, as they step away from the shoes of themselves to take on a character. But for Lady Gagita, humbling yourself is one of the most important lessons she learned throughout her career.
“I really believe in my mantra that everyday is a learning process,” she said. “Even though may napatunayan ka na, you just have to accept that there are younger ones na mas magaling sa iyo.”
The drag performer also believes that it’s important to nurture younger artists to help them succeed in the industry.
“Hindi mo sila kailangang banggain. You just have to respect them, kasi matututunan din nila ‘yun at madadala nila ‘yun sa kanilang pagtatagumpay,” Lady Gagita added.
Shewarma, who was born as Jamil Crescini, admitted that “Drag Den PH” helped her to stand firm with her beliefs.
“Hindi lang ako naging part ng Drag Den para manalo. Naging matapang at vocal din ako sa drag ko kasi valid ako eh. Ito ang iniisip at sinisigaw ng puso ko,” she said.
She added, “Actually, hindi ako marunong mag-take ng critique ng tao dati. Ngayon, tumatanggap na ako. At tinuturan ko na ‘yung sarili ko. Tinuruan din nila akong maging bukas ang isip ko. Ngayon, open naman ako sa changes but still, kailangan mo pa rin sundan ang sarili mo.”
Brian Black, or NAIA, admitted that honesty is “crucial” in improving her craft as a drag performer.
“It’s very weird because in drag, you’re not honest to everyone. It’s a transformation, and you’re fooling everyone into thinking that you’re a glamorous being. So, honesty happens inside. It’s about knowing yourself and knowing what you can do and your worth,” she said.
The “Drag Den PH” finalist also shared that being delusional helps in being a better performer, but there will always be a fine line.
“Being honest with yourself is very, very crucial in improving your art. Kasi kung hindi ka honest sa sarili mo, paano ka magi-improve,” she stressed. “If you’re going to be lying to yourself, there’s a brand of delusion in drag but too much delusion will kill you.”
NAIA also admitted that she used to be very experimental with her drag since she used to struggle in finding her own identity.
“NAIA wanted to do a lot of things all at once. She wants to do everything kasi hindi pa niya kilala ang sarili niya at kung ano man ang strengths niya,” she said. “I always had a voice naman, regardless of how long you’re doing drag. But right now, I feel more confident in my skills and it’s something I didn’t have [before Drag Den].” EDV