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Paolo Ballesteros has been crowned as the main host of Drag Race Philippines—and we cannot think of a better fit

It's finally official—multi-hyphenate celebrity Paolo Ballesteros will don our screen in the local rendition of the internationally-loved and Emmy-winning show RuPaul's Drag Race. WOW Presents Plus, Discovery+ Philippines, and Drag Race Philippines took to social media to make the awaited announcement that sent fans of the franchise into a media frenzy.

And, well, we say: the wait is worth it!

Our first look at the main host is nothing short of fabulous! Paolo Ballesteros is seen all glammed up in a drag version of the Filipiniana designed by young designer Job Dacon—off-shoulders with puffed, ruffled sleeves hugging his hour-glass figure.

The floor-length gown features prints of the historical Luneta park and other Manila landmarks and is decorated with floral appliqués as a nod to traditional Filipino iconoclasms. The look is amped up with over-the-top makeup and a wig and is completed with statement Sampaguita earrings.

See also: Filipiniana: 7 Stunning Dresses Worn By Celebrities—Jess Wilson, Pia Wurtzbach, And More
 

Paolo Ballesteros is most known for hosting the noontime show Eat Bulaga, and his makeup transformation looks on social media. He also starred in the movie Die Beautiful in 2009, which won him Best Actor awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival and the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival.

See also: Groundbreaking Filipino Films on LGBTQ+ Stories
 

The talented actor will preside the judging panel that includes Jiggly Caliente, a Filipina drag artist who competed on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars. Caliente is the third drag race contestant of Filipino descent to ever compete on the franchise after season 1's Ongina and season 3's Manila Luzon. She was also cast in a recurring role as Veronica Ferocity on the multi-awarded FX series Pose.

Fans of the franchise have been speculating about the judging panel and the lineup of contestants that will compete for the first Filipino crown in Drag Race her-story, which will be announced soon.

Drag Race Philippines is one of the international spin-offs of the franchise, alongside Thailand, UK, Spain, Holland, Italy and France. It will premiere on August 12.

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