Marina Summers and Kaladkaren. Images from Miss Universe Philippines Facebook page, INQUIRER.net file photo
When the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant announced that Filipino drag superstar Marina Summers is set to take the stage at the coronation show, many netizens expressed their disapproval thinking that she will be one of the candidates. For news anchor and actress Kaladkaren, the incident showed the lack of reading comprehension among social media users.
“Of course she’s not gonna join, she’s just a guest artist,” Kaladkaren told INQUIRER.net at the sidelines of her hosting gig for a beauty product last week.
“It’s just sad because people always think negatively of other people’s success. Parang nakita lang nila ang picture ni Marina with Miss Universe Philippines na nakalagay akala nila sasali na si Marina (They just saw Marina’s picture with Miss Universe Philippines written they thought that Marina will join). So it’s a problem of reading comprehension, number one,” Kaladkaren said.
She also cited that several other social media users did not approve of Marina Summers even as a guest performer on the national pageant. “Bakit hindi siya pwedeng mag-perform eh performer siya (Why can’t she perform, she’s a performer). It has nothing to do with her being a drag queen or being a homosexual, let’s say, or being gay, ‘di ba (doesn’t it)? Hello, deserve niyang mag-perform doon noh (she deserves to perform there)!” she declared.
The “Frontline Pilipinas” anchor said she is grateful for the Miss Universe Philippines pageant for opening its platform to drag artists. “Kasi before hindi masyadong mainstream ang drag eh (Because before drag isn’t mainstream). It’s a niche market. Pero ngayon (But now) it’s the biggest beauty pageant in the country, and drag queens are included in terms of performances,” she said.
“Hindi kasali bilang kandidata ha, malinaw tayo (Not included as a candidate, huh, let’s be clear)!” Kaladkaren continued.
She said she is proud of what Summers has achieved as a drag superstar, and said it is about time that the global audience gets to witness how great drag performers from the Philippines are. “Gano’n kalakas at gano’n katindi ang kalibre ng drag queens natin (That’s how strong, that’s how high the caliber of our drag queens are). They should be internationally-acclaimed,” Kaladkaren said.
She continued: “Kailangan makilala sila sa buong mundo (They should be known throughout the world). And I love how Marina represented the drag community of the Philippines on the world stage. Deserve niya (She deserves it).”
Summers will perform at the coronation show of the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on May 22, with 2022 Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel as host.
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