By Robert R. Requintina
Filipino entrepreneur, producer, filmmaker and actor RS Francisco said he's proud of creating a safe space for drag queens to express their artistry though Rampa Club in Quezon City.
During a recent sneak preview at Rampa, RS said the venue has changed dramatically since it opened in February.
"It has changed dramatically since we opened last Feb. 10. May mga concept and parties na kami every day. And then every Sunday, kahit sino pwedeng mag-perform dito. Just bring your USB," said RS.
He added: "Yung iba nagpupunta rito in drag costumes. So bibigyan namin sila ng platform kung saan pwede silang mag express ng artistry nila. Kung saan pwede sila magperform na hindi gina-judge. Lahat yun ginagawa natin every Sunday.
"Rampa is a safe place for everyone. We embrace and welcome everybody: babae, lalaki (lalo na kapag pogi), mga trans, mga L, mga G, mga B, mga T. Lahat ng alphabets. Lahat ng body shapes at kulay. We make everybody welcome here. We're one big happy family," RS also said.
RS said Vice Ganda's comedy club is not a threat to Rampa. “No. Not at all. Actually, yun nga yung parati kong sinasabi. Yung queens namin, gusto ngang mag-perform doon.”
At the same press conference, the drag queens shared how Rampa changed their lives since they started performing in the popular venue.
Brigiding: "Happy kami kasi ang pinakamagandang nangyari is we changed the lives of our queens here. Nagpa-audition kami and over 100 ang dumating. Pero meron kaming mga 15 artists na hinio-hone namin ngayon to be the best versions of their artistry. Happy kami na bukod sa nabago ang buhay namin meron kaming binabagong buhay."
Vinas De Luxe: "Super happy ako sa mga developments na nangyayari sa new babies namin. Noong umpisa ang papangit nila. Char! Ngayon ang gaganda na nila. Si Brigiding kasi nagpa-makeup tutorial siya rito. Kapag may rehearsals kami sinabihan na rin namin ng tamang pag-uugali sa backstage pati sa stage at customers. Pay it forward to the next generation of future stars."
Zimbading: "We were inspired us we saw on television and to be part of the family they were creating. Sino makapagsasabi na nakipagsayawan kami sa mga queens natin and it's all because of Rampa. Practice makes perfect, but the advice these queens gave us is more than the practice we get every night."
"Feliciading: "Bukod sa guidance ng aming mga boss, they created a safe space for us. Now, I am supporting my whole family financially, and I'm doing what I love and what I deserve. Hindi lang ako binigyan ng rampa ng stage kundi binigyan nila ako ng hope."
"Bong Bading: "Ang pinaka-proud ako sa Rampa is very diverse ang representation. I think the world needs to know that gays are also human beings. Rampa is a platform where we can express ourselves and are represented well. The arts are very important because they nurture our souls."
Precious Paula Nicole: "Binago ng Rampa ang buhay ko dahil nabibigyan namin ng opportunities ang iba't ibang queens to shine. Na-inspire raw namin sila and hindi ko alam kung bakit. I'm grateful na may may taong naniniwala sa aming magkakaibigan. Yun pinapangarao namin noon na bar online, isa na siyang club na siya. Punta po kayo rito dahil tahanan po ito ng nagmamahalan."