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The first season of Drag Den Philippines had a successful run with Naia taking the 'Drag Supreme' title; but the show is not yet over as the cast ponder on the real essence of being queens
When a programme as colourful and witty as Drag Den Philippines appears on your TV screen, it is almost impossible to tune into a different show. Each episode is a testament to the brand: "for the Filipinos, by the Filipinos," and strategically immerses us in all the facets of drag life in the Philippines.
Personally, I find its concept of non-elimination quite appealing; see, in Drag Den Philippines, the queens are hardly worried about getting through another week, instead, they focus on the next big thing they want to share and in a way, it is through this that the artists can truly maximise the platform.
In case you missed it: The Queen Has Arrived: In Conversation with Drag Queen Manila Luzon
What makes the show more inviting are its queens Pura Luka Vega, Aries Night, NAIA, Maria Cristina, O-A, Shewarma, Lady Gagita, and Barbie Q, who were rather blunt throughout the season. The silly moments in between every performance dives into Pinoy Kanal [Pinoy street] culture which, to its viewers, is slightly more relatable than the show's foreign counterparts.
Read also: The showrunner is a she: tales from Rod Singh's (drag) den
Above Drag Den Philippines S1 press conference at Seda Vertis North
Drag Den Philippines S1 press conference at Seda Vertis North
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In a conference held last January 24, the cast pondered on what it really means to be a drag queen. "Drag is political," they reckon. Below are interesting takes from Drag Lord Manila Luzon, Pura Luka Vega, Drag Supreme NAIA, Lady Gagita, and more:
Manila Luzon
"You look at the queens, they are all fabulous. In drag, you command the attention of everyone who sees you so we want to be able to use the attention we have to make people think. We like to challenge the norms, we like to show how we can express ourselves in extreme ways and inspire other people to do the same. So drag is political, but it is also fabulous, it's also silly, it's also glamorous, it's a lot of things."
Pura Luka Vega
"It's not something to be shocked about when drag queens become political, because the act of putting on makeup, being loud, and 'out there' is already political."
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NAIA
"As drag queens, we command so much attention and I feel like that attention can be used for the greater good and for our respective platforms and advocacies; as drag queens, we are not only beautiful, but we also have our respective advocacies. In a way, we're like beauty queens."
More from Tatler: The Many Faces of Drag: Drag Supreme NAIA bares it all
Lady Gagita
"To me, drag is truly a platform, it is where we can send messages most especially to the younger generation of queens. Drag is political, we do not only go around the idea of 'ganda-gandahan lang.' Through drag, you can pass your message, you can empower others. I used to be criticised and misinterpreted online because of my political views, but I think, through Drag Den PH, I was able to bring out what it is that I really want to express."
Aries Night
"I always see drag as a platform and an art form. I love that we can also use it as a medium to relay our advocacies. And for someone like me who is so soft-spoken, I love how drag truly takes me out there."
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Barbie Q
"When I first got into Drag Den PH, I learnt that you really have to be political in drag. It's what our director always says 'drag is not just an art, drag is also a protest,'".
In case you missed it: Eva Le Queen Puts the ‘Queen’ in Drag Queen: Her Thoughts on Being Top 4, DRPH, and Her Advocacy
Shewarma
"Drag Den PH has taught me how to be vocal; and today, even out of the show, I always see to it that I can use Shewarma to send a message. I am super grateful".
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
