Manila Luzon reaffirms Filipino drag as ‘best in the world’

Since being introduced to the world in the third season of the reality competition series, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Filipino-American drag queen Manila Luzon has traveled around the world, performing alongside other internationally-acclaimed drag artists.

However, after her stint as the “Drag Lord” of Amazon Prime Video’s Filipino reality competition show, Drag Den, she stands by her statement that drag in the Philippines is the best in the world.

“Well, I kind of knew this already, but drag in the Philippines is the best drag in the world,” Manila told the media during a press conference for the show’s season finale last Jan. 24. “I had no idea how good the drag was here. I know how the Philippines is jampacked with entertainers, dancers, singers, comedians, and I’m so happy that we’re now opening up a category for Filipino entertainment and that is drag.”

By the time this article is printed, Manila would have already chosen between the Top 3 queens NAIA, Shewarma and Maria Cristina and crowned the first-ever Filipino Drag Supreme during the Jan. 26 season finale of Drag Den. This after the show’s seven episodes of stunning fashion looks and powerful socio-political statements.

A finale concert and live coronation night was also set to take place on the aforementioned date at the SM Aura Samsung Hall in Taguig City.

Comparing her experiences to drag around the world, Manila said Filipino drag is beyond anything she had encountered.

“I traveled the world. I’ve performed with some of the most famous drag queens and none of them compare to the queens here. Their dedication, their talent, their beauty, of course,” she said.

Moreover, the drag icon shared her realizations about the passion Filipino drag queens have when it comes to their art form, as well as expressed how proud she is that she can finally showcase local drag to a global audience.

“I’ve learned how much dedication and love they have for what they do and I’m so proud to be able to showcase that and let my audience, whom I’ve garnered over the years around the world, see how amazing the drag is out here,” she said.

Manila also expressed elation that, through Drag Den, she was able to show what Filipino drag is all about to the local audience.

“(We were able to) showcase it to the Filipino people who might have not known everything about drag and I’m so excited that everyone here is intrigued and entertained by our queens,” she explained.

With Drag Den being an avenue not just to showcase the queens’ jaw-dropping, glamorous ensembles but also to voice out their socio-political advocacies, Manila explained drag’s significance to the society.

“I think that when you get all dolled up and you look as fabulous as all these queens here, you command the attention of anyone that can see you, so we want to be able to use that attention that we have to further up the world and society,” she explained. “We like to make people think, to challenge norms. We like to show how you can express yourself in an extreme way and inspire other people to do the same.”

Manila further reiterated that drag is political, commending Drag Den creator-director Rod Singh for creating a medium that can speak to a wider audience about the art of drag.

“Drag is political but it’s also fabulous, it’s also silly, it’s also glamorous. It’s a lot of things, but what’s really cool about what direk Rod has provided us is another level of drag and that is putting out messages that speak to people who don’t necessarily do drag. Everyone can think, learn, and open up their minds,” she said.

Adding to what Manila said, the Drag Den queens expressed what taking a socio-political stand means for them.

“I think it’s very important as drag queens. As drag queens, we do command so much attention and I feel like that attention can be used for the greater good and to further platforms and advocacies that we need in this society,” finalist NAIA said. “So, as drag queens, maganda na nga kami, may advocacy pa.”

For contestant Pura Luka Vega, people should not be shocked when drag queens become involved in and take a stand on political issues as the art itself challenges social norms.

“It’s not something to be shocked about when drag queens become political because the act of putting on make-up, being loud and proud and out there is already political,” Luka said.

“It is my favorite part of doing drag,” said contestant Aries Night. “I also see it as a platform, an art form. I love how we use drag as a medium to relay our advocacies and stories. For someone like me who is soft-spoken and introverted, I love the way drag serves as this medium for me to deliver messages through visuals and performances.”

For Shewarma, she admitted that in the past, she chose to veer away from being vocal about political issues. However, her experience with Drag Den taught her to utilize her drag for the better.

“’Pag labas ng Drag Den, kailangan ko ng gamitin si Shewarma para maging vocal,” she said. “Si Drag Den ’yong nag-change sa akin and super thankful ako doon na mas nagagamit ko na ng mas malawak ’yong platform ko.”

Concluding the press conference, Manila dedicated her final words to her Drag Den queens, expressing her excitement towards their journeys after the show.

“This show is changing entertainment here in the Philippines. I am so excited for every single one of you and I’m so proud to watch all of you shine so bright and inspire so many people, including myself,” the drag legend said.

“These queens have taught me so much about family, love, silliness, and determination. These queens are going to have very successful careers in drag moving forward and I’m so excited for all the people that they are going to inspire,” she concluded.

Produced by CS Studios, Rod Singh and Project 8 Projects’ Antoinette Jadaone, Drag Den can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Hosted by Manila Luzon, the show features drag queen contestants Aries Night, Barbie-Q, Lady Gagita, Maria Christina, NAIA, O-A, Pura Luka Vega, and Shewarma, as well as Internet sensation Sassa Gurl as the show’s “Drag Runner” and beauty queen Nicole Cordoves as the “Drag Dealer.”