Once an art form that is hidden in the dim lights of the night bars, drag has been a phenomenon that is taking nations by storm one amazing death drop at a time. Here in the Philippines, Filipino drag artists use their craft not only to bring to light the issues surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community, but also the beauty of local designs, initiatives they support, and, in many times, the political changes they want to see.
The latest to put the art of drag in a much larger purpose is San Francisco-based drag queen Lady P Galore, a.k.a Joffer Palmares offstage. Wearing towering heels and a mug that is beat for the gods, his jump into drag became more than just for performance art. It became a way to showcase his Filipino roots through fashion and an avenue to help change children’s lives through his initiative Backpack For The Future.
In a conversation with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, Joffer details more about his life as a nurse in San Francisco, the emancipation of Lady P Galore, her Filipino-to-the-core fashions, and to him, the importance of giving today’s youth a shot for a better life by giving them the basic and necessary tools.
Hello, Joffer! First off, how are you during this pandemic?
The pandemic has brought so much negativity to the world and disrupted our life pretty much in all aspects. As a nurse, it has been initially difficult and exhausting, but I’ve learned to adjust and conform to everything.
As a human being, the pandemic has made me view life from a different perspective and has brought hope and positivity. First of all, the pandemic keeps me grounded and enabled me to reexamine the value of our existence, what do I need, and what is important for me. Before the pandemic, I would travel around the world and experience what it offers since traveling teaches me so much about life and culture and makes me see and understand the humanity we live in.
I used to work hard for many hours/weeks/months then would take off for a few weeks to travel. When the pandemic struck the world, I thought I would go crazy because I can't travel but it was the other way around, instead, I was happy just being home and enjoying the comfort of my bedroom and catching up on the shows missed. I spend more time in my bed this day. Sometimes I would do my drag and do my photoshoots in my bedroom which is actually more fun―it brings me so much joy.
Secondly, I was able to reconnect online with family and friends whom I haven’t seen and heard from for years. I’m able to explore the world of Instagram for my personal, digital drag platform and outreach and learned to navigate social media. Through Instagram, I've met good people that influence and help me improve and upgrade my drag to a higher sense of fashion. Social media has elevated my growth as a Digital Drag Queen and has led me to connect with fashion designers, artists/makeup, and photographers.
It has been two years that we are living with the pandemic and with ongoing global vaccinations, thank goodness, I'm physically and mentally in shape. I'm still a whole person, better and stronger, and of course still gay. Although, I’m also sad to have lost some loved ones whom I failed to see during the pandemic. Life is short... and we should always help and be kind to one another.
You mentioned that you are a licensed nurse. Are you currently practicing there in San Francisco?
Yes, I’m a registered nurse here in San Francisco and work in the operating room at UCSF Medical Center. I’m also a per diem nurse at Kaiser SF. Since I am the breadwinner of the family, I have two jobs to be able to support them. My drag hobby is expensive as well.
What inspired you to do drag? Can you tell us the story of Lady P Galore?
At 48 years old, I never imagined being involved in drag. In 2015, my co-worker introduced me to it during a holiday party and the three of us performed as Bang Bang Girls wherein I was Ariana Grande that night. My friend Jerome Poblador did my drag makeup but I chose my own outfit and wig for the show. The party was so much fun because of the hit performance. Everyone at work was talking about it and soon my friends and coworkers invited us to perform at the next holiday party.
During the summer of 2016, I enrolled in a drag makeup workshop here at SF so I could learn to apply my own makeup. After watching numerous Youtube tutorials, I improved and enhanced my makeup skills, which include staying up until 5 a.m. to apply cosmetics while I dressed in drag. I'm a perfectionist in my way and will keep trying until I harness my skills. In December of that year, I performed again, but this time I applied my own makeup and changed into four outfits. It felt good performing live in front of my coworkers and friends. From that moment, I started investing in good makeup and brushes and more glamorous outfits.
Designer Val Taguba did my very first glam gown, which I also wore on my first outdoor pictorial in Havana, Cuba. I love adventures, too, so I even hiked Mt. Pinatubo with full makeup to do my pictorial. If the pandemic did not occur, I would be able to do more projects.
LadyPussyGalore aka LadyPG was given to me by my friend April Sabangan. She was the leading lady in the James Bond movie in 1959. We were trying to find an appropriate name for her persona and this one made an impact on me. And that's how they call me LadyP, LadyPG, or ladypussy which is very glamorous and luxe.
Why is it important for you to showcase Filipino culture through your fashions? Who are your go-to fashion collaborators?
Filipino culture has a rich history and there’s much talent, uniqueness, and diversity in our culture which we can showcase to the world. I’m so fascinated by the way we create stuff and the history incorporated in the dresses. Like the piña fiber used to make a dress—a trademark of Filipino creativity. And it's not just the creative minds I'm trying to showcase here but also the beauty of our natural resources and the people. Traveling around the Philippines is so much fun. I'm trying to incorporate and showcase the fabulous dresses and doing a photoshoot in the major islands when I plan to travel.
I have a list of designers whom I go to when I need something. My dresses are designed by Val Taguba, Jearsond Demavivas, Roel Rosal, Ehrran Montoya, and Jaggy Madrigal. I love working with Farah Abuh, who does my accessories and for my shoes, Nereku is the best. I’m so lucky to have met these artists in fashion and I’m also proud to wear all their creations.
How did the Backpack For The Future start? Are you working with other organizations or people for the charity?
The Backpack For The Future initially started as a small project. It was inspired by my travels in the third world countries wherein kids have nothing and have no access to buy stuff for school especially in the remote areas of Africa. The pen and paper are considered gold to these kids. A big part of what compelled me to do this is due to my personal experience growing up in the rural areas of the Philippines back in the late ‘70s. Then, I could only acquire new things once what I owned was broken. Seeing these kids reminded me of my personal experience.
In 2019, me and my good friend and travel buddy, Amor Medina, who is based in the Philippines planned a trip to Balabac, Palawan and I came up with this idea to bring stuff to the kiddos. We planned on giving simple things like pens, an eraser, and some goodies. But suddenly I told her let’s just give backpacks too and other school supplies that include flip flops. We supposedly planned for 200 kids as our first recipients, then a good friend of mine at work, Kathryn Julia, suggested doing a fundraiser.
I was shy and hesitant at first to ask people at work but decided to post the request. I was truly overwhelmed with the results. We were able to raise funds for 600 backpacks, which consisted of crayons, pens, pencils, erasers, a sharpener, and a pair of flip flops. We were able to give away 200 backpacks in Balabac, 200 in Dumaran, Palawan, and another 200 in Biri, Samar. Logistically it entailed hard work since it was mainly me and my friend doing it. We were happy that we have friends and family that accompanied us to help distribute the backpacks. Witnessing first-hand the smiles on the children's faces was priceless.
When I returned to SF, I decided to do it again, but due to the pandemic, we couldn’t visit the provinces, and just mailed 500 backpacks to the children of the small island of Itbayat, Batanes instead. With the help and support of Booktothebarrios, we also send reading books to kids. Last year, our project officially became a nonprofit organization.
How does your drag help you with Back Pack For The Future?
The art of drag inspires me to continue my creative expression which will enable me to complete my project and launch the coffee book soon. My coffee table book will be featuring the dresses created by our local designers and also the beautiful places I visited in the Philippines. Once it’s published we will do the fundraising of the book and the proceeds will go to the Back Pack For The Future. We also have a vision of launching this in the Philippines wherein we will showcase all the beautiful outfits I wear, and perhaps whoever is interested in the dress can auction it as well, followed by the proceeds which will go to the kids. I'm optimistic that this project will be fruitful.
What are the lessons you've learned from doing drag and charity works?
Being in drag is painful but beautiful at the same time. It allows you to express your artistry and creativity. It makes you funny and also makes people laugh. It makes you stand tall and confident. It provides freedom of expressing yourself. And as the mother of all drags, RuPaul said, “We are all born naked and the rest is drag.”
Being involved in charity has always been in my veins since I was born. I always wanted to give and share and help in any means I can. Giving always proved to be simple and natural for me. Generosity is one of the humble traits a human can possess. It keeps me grounded.
How can people help or support #BackPackForTheFuture?
They can check us out at www.backpack4thefuture.com, on Facebook @Backpack4thefuture, and @backpack _for_the_future on Instagram.
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