Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon said people can’t force anyone to accept or reject art, amid the controversy involving Filipino drag queen Pura Luka Vega’s performance of “Ama Namin” or the “Lord’s Prayer” in a club.
Vega is seen in a video wearing a Jesus Christ costume while performing “Ama Namin.” The performance stoked nationwide debate on religion and freedom of expression.
According to Biazon, “Art is subjective.”
Filipino drag queen Pura Luka Vega’s performing “Ama Namin” (Screenshots from Vega's video)
“You may like a particular work of art but somebody else doesn’t. You can’t force anyone to accept or reject. Art may provoke; it may also soothe;it may spark joy or rouse anger,regardless of the artist’s intent. Appreciation may not necessarily match the intent,” he said.
He added, “I think there’s a difference between ‘I am offended’ and ‘That is offensive.’”
Thank you for coming to church! 🙏 https://t.co/aCw7fap3fH pic.twitter.com/nUKWV1M7PW
— Pura Luka Vega 🙃 (@ama_survivah) July 9, 2023
Vega addressed the controversy and posted on Twitter, “I understand that people call my performance blasphemous, offensive or regrettable.”
“However, they shouldn’t tell me how I practice my faith or how I do my drag. That performance was not for you to begin with. It is my experience and my expression, of having been denied my rights. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion,” she added.
She also told the Twitter account Philippine Drag Updates, “| won't delete it nor will apologize for doing it. To begin with, our mere existence as queer individuals already offends people.”
“Drag is also queer and when I think about it, to me. it's really just a yassified worship/lipsync of the Lord's Prayer. There's a part of me that feels weird to explain my art when I don't owe anyone an explanation of things,” said Vega.
She added, “People are free to make interpretations of it. The way I see it, our reactions and perceptions reveal our values which we need to reflect on.”