‘Drag Den Philippines’ Season 2 aims to be ‘accessible’ for Filipino drag artists

Manila Luzon (third from the left), Nicole Cordoves, Sassa Gurl, and director Rod Singh on the set of “Drag Den Philippines” season two.

“Drag Den Philippines” creator, director, and writer Rod Singh said the show’s sophomore offering would be different from season one at a set visit.

“If they want drama, we’ll give them drama,” said Singh. But apart from the drama, Singh, who uses the pronoun “she” and “her,” hoped it would be an avenue for Filipino drag to take center stage.

True enough, the interview took place at a psychedelic cyberpunk-inspired set inspired by the alleyways of Poblacion in Makati, as well as Binondo and Tondo, Manila. The area was surrounded by colorful plastics hung on a clothes wire, neon lights, balloons, and scrap metal and tires bringing viewers into the city.

For “Drag Den” creator, writer, and director Rod Singh, the show’s second season is a “total shift” and a turn to psychedelics.

Rod Singh

“Season one is the origin story of ‘Drag Den,’” Singh said. But the second outing, especially when it comes to casting the competing queens, is meant to focus on revealing the many facets of what Filipino drag culture can offer to the community. And for her, it shouldn’t focus on the mere intention of promoting “diversity.”

“Diversity is an innate response. If you’re gonna cast a group of drag queens, you know that you couldn’t cast the same type of queen. It has to be different,” she continued. “Kapag Pilipino ka, hindi ka tumitingin sa kutis [para maging diverse]. Tumitingin ka sa diversity ng kwento nila. Ang ‘Drag Den,’ hindi siya pagandahan ng drag. It’s a battle of wit and talent, and how you execute drag in a challenge.”

(As a Filipino, you shouldn’t look at one’s skin color as a way of practicing diversity. You’re looking at how their story is diverse. “Drag Den” shouldn’t be determined by how one’s drag is more beautiful than the other. It’s a battle of wit and talent, and how you execute drag in a challenge.)

Manila Luzon is the resident “Drag Lord” of the show.

Chosen queens

This means that season two cast — consisting of Deja, Margaux Rita, Elvira B, Feyvah Fatalé, Maria Lava, Mrs. Tan, Moi, Marlyn, Jean Vogue, and Russia Fox — were selected based on their respective styles of drag and what they can offer in the local scene.

One noteworthy aspect of the cast is Marlyn, who is the first performer to be an Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB) to join a Filipino drag show. However, according to Singh, she is not cast because of her assigned sex. She made it to the lineup because of how she “set the standard” during production.

Sassa Gurl on the set of “Drag Den” season two.

Nicole Cordoves on the set of “Drag Den” season two.

“We don’t want it to be tokenistic. It’s not a requirement to have a trans queen. In terms of casting, we didn’t have the pressure of having to cast trans queens. What I want to explore in trans narratives is for us to appreciate how far we have come in terms of trans representation,” she said.

“After all, if you want to avoid tokenism, you have to base it on talent. The same thing with casting an AFAB queen [like Marlyn] she is the standard at this point. In terms of technical execution, she sets the standard,” she further added.

One of the set pieces for “Drag Den” season two.

Another set piece for “Drag Den” season two.

More than ‘ganda gandahan’

Over the past years, drag queens showed up in glamorous looks, reality TV-esque personas, and explosive characters. There’s nothing wrong with the classics, but Singh wants the sophomore offering of “Drag Den” to not be based on “ganda gandahan” — a term used to describe the act of being and feeling beautiful — alone.

“As much as drama is real, it’s not the center of drag as an art form. You can be a drag artist without the reality TV persona. They just stand in the center of the stage and show their look. But people don’t really know the story behind it,” she said, noting that all drag queens deserve to have a spotlight to show what they can offer.

Another set piece from the set of “Drag Den” season two.

“Hindi kami nagbibigay ng challenge na ganda-gandahan lang lahat. Kung alternative drag queen ka, iisipin mong lugi ka kasi the drag is about ganda-gandahan,” she further added. “Ang category namin is regardless kung anong klaseng drag ang ibibigay mo, meron kang maibibigay.”

(We will not give a challenge that revolves around beauty alone. If you’re an alternative drag queen, you would think that you’re a failure because of that fact. Our categories would be based regardless what kind of drag you offer, you would bring something new to the table.)

Manila Luzon on the set of “Drag Den” season two.

Manila Luzon while filming an episode from “Drag Den” season two.

But of course, the show’s sophomore outing — more than it being an “account of the political climate of the Philippines during the time” of its production — will still contain a format that audiences are familiar with in terms of a reality show.

“‘Drag den is drag. The show is drag. Everything is drag. We maintained true to the essence of what the show is trying to capture. If you would look at it, it’s a TV show in drag. It’s what we want to capture. The show itself has a responsibility to capture the setting while maintaining the reality show format that they look forward to.,” Singh said.

Nicole Cordoves is in the zone while an episode of “Drag Den” season two is being filmed.

Sassa Gurl preparing for an episode on “Drag Den” season two.

The show will also feature the return of host, chief judge, and resident “drag lord” Manila Luzon, who rose into popularity after competing in “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season three, “All Stars 1,” and “All Stars 4.”

Also making their return are Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves and internet personality Sassa Gurl as the show’s “drag dealer” and “drag runner,” respectively.