HOTSPOT
Tonyo Cruz
Wow Presents Plus, Discovery+ and HBO Go have yet to release the final viewership numbers, but there’s no denying that Drag Race Philippines was a success as the show this week crowned Precious Paula Nicole as the winner of its first season.
Yes, Precious Paula Nicole prevailed over her competitors Marina Summers, Xilhoute, Eva Le Queen, Minty Fresh, Brigiding, Vinas Deluxe, Lady Morgana, Turing, Gigi Era, Corazon and Prince. But together, they made an indelible mark in Philippine lore.
We also have to mention host Paolo Ballesteros, and judges Jiggly Caliente, KaladKaren, BJ Pascual, Jon Santos and Rajo Laurel. Props too to Pops Fernandez, Pokwang, Nadine Lustre, Regine Velasquez, Boy Abunda, Patrick Starr, and Pia Wurtzbach for being guest judges.
Drag Race Philippines is the 10th international edition of RuPaul’s hit franchise, and just the second in Asia. In a world where there’s rising hatred and violence against trans persons, this is a shared and happy achievement for Filipino LGBTs, and their families, friends and allies.
Six years ago, a major film festival featured a movie about decent and hardworking Filipino barangay queens. Six years later, we have Season 1 of an international drag show franchise featuring 12 Filipino queens.
For the uninitiated to drag, perhaps the closest event one could remember are the gay beauty pageants in our year-round fiestas and festivals. Anthropology and history also speak about pre-colonial Philippine societies giving high honor and power to gender-bending and gender-fluid figures. Many argue they are the spiritual ancestors of Filipino trans and other LGBT persons.
Local forces of intolerance were largely quiet, perhaps out of laziness. But many know them as lacking in beauty in thought and action, so they most probably steered clear of protesting against the queens. It is just that difficult to dish out hate against beautiful persons who aspire for nothing but full acceptance, as well as prove to everyone the viability of drag as an enterprise, career, vocation, skill or medium of personal expression.
Fan feedback more than made up for the lack of outside criticism from the usual suspects. The show’s production team attracted sometimes harsh and biting reviews from fans. Some are justified, in the opinion of many. Other reviews appear to be “clickbait” for podcasts and social media shows feeding off from the show. It is not impossible that rivals of the production team were not quiet and were complicit in some of the toughest feedback.
Sure, fans of drag who are LGBTs and straight were the show’s main audience. Mostly middle-class and upper class too, considering that one has to have access to the paid streaming platforms in order to watch. There were viewing parties at events places and at homes, so more people could share the fun while watching.
Elsewhere, there were many anecdotes and social media posts about entire families watching and following the show, and the queens’ performances. Yes, entire families. That speaks a lot about drag’s growing appeal and the evolving attitudes on trans persons and LGBTs.
At least for the queens and their old and new fandoms, they rediscovered that there’s a future beyond the merciless division of the last elections.
There’s no announcement yet about a Season 2 for Drag Race Philippines, but many are already looking forward to it. People are also eagerly awaiting the start of Drag Den, a Filipino drag-reality competition headlined by Manila Luzon, herself a Drag Race alum.
It might just be a matter of time before a major television network brings drag to primetime. If this happens, this would raise awareness, make drag more accessible to our big country, and cement drag as a career and enterprise worth investing in.
Asked by GMA News about the future of drag in the country, Precious Paula Nicole had this to say: “Very bright. As a 12-year drag queen, I was really waiting for this to happen. To be honest, I was a little hesitant before because I wasn’t sure if Filipinos would like it. But with what’s happening right now, everyone is celebrating with us. Everyone is celebrating us. So, I’m happy and confident that many exciting things are just about to unfold. Drag Race Philippines is just the beginning.”
The queen has spoken.