Drag is a phenomenon! In the past years, it emerged from the laser-lit bars to the mainstream due to the international TV shows, movies, and other forms of media that put a spotlight on it. The Philippines, too, has been under its spell, with many young creatives diving into the queer art. But long before it hit the screens, many Filipinos have been doing drag through local pageants—one of which was Drag Cartel. In 2022, the drag contest entered the streaming world through “Drag Den Philippines,” a reality competition show led by director Rod Singh and hosted by international drag queen Manila Luzon.
Throughout its first run, Drag Den Philippines presented drag that is centered on Filipino queer culture. It showcased how the craft can be a form of art, a vessel to tell LGBTQIA+ stories, and a way to protest. Its sophomore season, which premiered early this year, continued its mission, even if drag as an art form continued to be a hot topic in the country.
As its second run is about to reach the end of its lap, its season one contestant, Pura Luka Vega, was once again arrested for their viral “Ama Namin” performance last Feb. 29. While its maximalist nature can amplify a topic or concern, can drag be something Filipinos can fully view as a form of art. In a conversation with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, Rod and Manila detailed the journey of the show's second season and how people should see drag as a medium for creative expression.
How is ‘Drag Den Philippines' season 2 different from the first?
Manila: Everyone is so different. When we cast a new set of queens, we want to make sure that we showcase the broad range of what Filipino drag queens have to offer. We have a trans queen, an assigned female at birth (AFAB) queen, and we have queens from different cities in the Philippines. I think that it is important that we showcase that it is not just one sort of drag that we are looking for. Drag is for everyone.
As someone who has done it for years, do you think some topics are off-limits to drag?
Manila: Drag, I think a lot of people don’t realize, is an art form. It is performance art. It is visual art. It is dance. It is music. Just like any form of art, it is up for interpretation by the entire audience. Different forms of art may not be for all people and that’s the same with drag. But there is still something to be interpreted from [it]—-things to learn. I think no topic, just like in other mediums of art, is off-limits to drag.
When ‘Drag Den Philippines' first premiered, it gave a new layer to the art of drag. Drag became bolder and rebellious. What makes the show a space space for these drag artist to showcase that side of their craft?
Rod: I think, grit is important to art in general. It shows that lalim (depth) of drag. There’s something bigger and wider story behind the drag. I think, that is what “Drag Den” is trying to capture. These queens, behind the wigs and the fabulous outfits, are human beings—real people with real struggles. They have their own politics. It is very important to highlight that. While drag is a craft, it is an art form, we need to take into consideration the importance of the expression of drag. It is not who expresses it better, we don’t think of drag that way in “Drag Den.” We see their drag as their expression. It is all a battle presenting their vision and their output. It is more like that with “Drag Den.” Going back to the original point, drag should be gritty, because it is drag.
What does it take to be a Filipino drag supreme?
Manila: We love to celebrate Filipino culture, we love to see it through the lens of drag, an all-encompassing art form. I think that we are just looking for someone who inspires people, to root for them and makes them proud as Filipinos from the LGBTQ+ community. Someone who can cross the line to bring in people, allies, from other countries and cultures, to look at what we have here to offer in the Philippines. We have beauty, we have wit, we have creativity, we have a message. We at “Drag Den” are so proud to give this platform to these artists.
Rod: For season one, we have Naia. I would describe Naia as the voice, the visionary. For season two, I want a dreamer. Someone who dreamed about drag, being a drag artist. I think it sends a very important message to every young queer kid out there that when you dream about something and you work hard for it, you'll get it.
“Drag Den Philippines” season 2 is about to crown its newest Filipino Drag Supreme this March 7. You can stream the entire season on Prime Video PH.
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