“It’s time to lace up, Pilipinas!” This was the post of International Drag Queen Manila Luzon in her social media pages recently. “You wanted a drag cartel? We heard you, and we’re making it MAJOR!”
Manila Luzon is all set to host a new reality show dubbed “Drag Den Philippines.”
“The first ever drag reality show in the Philippines is finally here, and I’m running the show!” the drag queen added. "Its release date and platform remains a surprise, although the producers did tease that it’s “crowning soon.”
In 2011, Manila Luzon made her breakthrough as one of the contestants of the hit US drag reality series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Then, she appeared in two All-Star Editions (2012 and 2018) of the show.
"Drag Den Philippines could be a major breakthrough for the local drag scene, which is thriving even as it remains largely on the fringes of the mainstream.
“It’s been a dream of mine to come back to the Philippines in a bigger way and do bigger projects," said Manila, she shared that she's working on some music ("I am Filipina, so that means I love to sing even if I can't") as well as the drag show. Of course, I’m a drag queen, so I think I’m fabulous, but how much more fabulous is it if I’m surrounding myself with some of the most beautiful and talented queens in the Philippines?" she said.
Manila Luzon also shared what she thinks about the level of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) acceptance in the Philippines.
“The Filipino people are so fabulous and welcoming. I don’t know how anyone walks down the street without being invited in for some food, I feel like the Philippines is on the right track for more acceptance and loving each other,” she said.
Manila Luzon gave a special message to fellow Filipinos.
“We’re taught with our religion to love each other and that’s what it’s all about. I think we all have the capabilities of loving everyone around us. Let’s do it with some glitter on it and have a rave,” she added.
For those who are still processing and learning to accept who they are, Manila has this to say: “I know it’s hard, but come to terms with it yourself and then everything will fall into place. Once you accept and love yourself, everything around you just happens. The things that don’t (happen), they weren’t meant to be."
Manila Luzon, a Filipino-American whose real name is Karl Westerberg, rose to popularity when she finished a runner-up in the reality competition “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
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Congratulations to my very good and beautiful friend, former beauty queen, actress, and now Mayor of Pola, Mindoro Jennifer Mindanao Cruz, also known as Ina Alegre, who recently delivered her second state-of-the-town address.
In her social media account, the beautiful Pola mayor gave thanks to her constituents who supported her projects during the calamities and pandemic that struck the municipality the past months. Jennifer also cited the future programs for better and beautiful Pola, now fast becoming a favorite location for local and international film and TV productions.