Start your engines, hennies!
Saying that Filipinos are big fans of "drag race" is a huge understatement. For years, fans have been waiting for the drag queen reality show to come to the country, and it looks like their prayers have finally been answered with "Drag Race Philippines."
Announced by the show's matriarch, RuPaul Charles, on Aug. 16, 2021, the latest World of Wonder offering is calling all Filipino drag artists to participate in its casting for its pilot season that is set to be streamed on WOW Presents Plus app.
"The 'Drag Race' franchise has shined a spotlight on so many incredible queens from around the world and we are so excited to introduce audiences to the dazzling queens of the Philippines," World of Wonder co-founders Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey said in a joint statement. "WOW Presents Plus was created to serve as a springboard for underrepresented voices, so we are thrilled to exclusively premiere Drag Race Philippines on the platform for our global viewers."
With the show on its way, the Philippines becomes part of the growing international family of "Drag Race," which includes countries such as Australia, Britain, Canada, Chile, Holland, Italy, Spain, and Thailand.
Last July, a Filipino drag queen reality show was announced to happen with Fil-Am "Drag Race" alum Manila Luzon hosting the show. Dubbed as "Drag Den," the reality series is produced by Cornerstone Entertainment and directed by Rod Singh. Auditions for the show were announced last Aug. 15, 2021.
"I'm excited that we're going to create an opportunity similar to RuPaul and World of Wonder have given to me," Manila told Entertainment Weekly. "I'm so excited to be able to give back in some way. In the Philippines, the drag scene is still quite small and underground, so I'm excited to bring it to the forefront. Hopefully, they'll have a similar journey that I've had and that the rest of us queens have had we'll take over the world, one little island at a time!"
No tea, no shade. But it looks like there's going to be a battle of drag competitions here in the Philippines.