Pura Luka Vega returns to stage after being declared persona non grata in 12 localities


At a glance

  • On Aug. 10, Pura addressed critics on Twitter:"Tell me exactly what I did wrong. I'm open for a dialogue and yet cities have been declaring persona non grata without even knowing me or understanding the intent of the performance. Drag is art. You judge me, yet you don't even know me."


Pura Luka Vega (Instagram) .png
Pura Luka Vega (Instagram)

Former Drag Den Philippines contestant Pura Luka Vega made a stage comeback at Apotheka Manila in Makati City last Aug. 20 despite the controversy surrounding her performance of "Ama Namin" or "The Lord's Prayer."

In a video posted on Twitter by Jordy Rae Jepsen, Pura performs Taylor Swift's song "Look What You Made Me Do," holding her picture while singing the lyrics "I'm sorry, but the old Taylor can't come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, 'cause she's dead."

After her performance, Pura gave a brief speech addressing her current issue and acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes.

"Simple lang naman ang masasabi ko, lahat tayo makasalanan tama? Hindi tayo perpekto tama? Para sa mga ibang lugar na gusto pa mag persona jan, dagdagan nyo pa. Pakialam ko sa separation ng Church at ng State. Ayun lamang po. Thank you po," Pura said.

(I want to clarify that nobody is perfect and we are all sinners. For other places that still want me to declare persona non grata, you may do so. I don't care about the separation of the Church and the State. That's all. Thank you.)

Twitter users claim Pura has entered her Reputation Era after being declared persona non-grata in 12 Philippine cities.

On Aug. 10, Pura addressed critics on Twitter: "Tell me exactly what I did wrong. I'm open for a dialogue and yet cities have been declaring persona non grata without even knowing me or understanding the intent of the performance. Drag is art. You judge me, yet you don't even know me."