Marina Summers ends journey on 'RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World 2'

Filipino drag queen Marina Summers
Marina Summers via Instagram

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino drag queen Marina Summers remains a "Filipina winner" despite coming up short on "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World" Season 2.

All 11 contestants walked the finale runway and Marina dubbed her outfit "Queen of the Philippine Seas," a black dress with ocean-like qualities and accessories representing the country's marine biodiversity.

The judges praised Marina for her overall season performance, with Alan Carr calling her a Lip Sync Assassin and Michelle Visage saying she was "a drag queen's drag queen."

"We all know drag is an amazing, amazing art form to entertain, to make people smile. Drag touches people's lives, I can attest to that because drag saved my life," Marina said in response to RuPaul's question about the importance of and need for drag today.

"Growing up in a very small town, I never thought that drag existed. This is the kind of person that I wanted to be when I was young, but I did not know it was possible," Marina ended. "I'm so happy to be part of this army. Drag is in good hands and I'm just so happy to be a part of this."

Before moving over to the next queen, Marina repeated her now-iconic stare attributed to Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, quipping "the world needs it" as well.

The Filipino drag queen performed Anasticia's "I'm Outta Love" but was defeated by Australia's Hannah Conda in the first Lip Sync Smackdown For The Crown. France's La Grande Dame lost to British queen Tia Kofi in a tight match-up of Booty Luv's "Boogie 2Nite" in the other Smackdown.

After acknowledging the path to final was clearer and easier with Marina out of the picture, the final Lip Sync saw Hannah and Tia perform Kylie Minogue's "Your Disco Needs You."

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Last season's winner, Blu Hydrangea, crowned Tia as her successor to be Queen of the Mothertucking World.

Also awarded during the show's finale was Spain's trans queen Arantxa Castilla-La Mancha, who previously went out in the second episode in 10th place, as Miss Congeniality.

For winning the second season of "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World," Tia received £50,000 or roughly over P3.5 million (which is more than the prize money of the two "Drag Race Philippines" seasons combined).

Hours after her exit, Marina said that she was honored to be part of the show on X, formerly Twitter. 

"We might have not liked my ending, but I had the best time with my lovely @dragraceukbbc girls! I am so so so damn honored to be part of this amazing show!" she wrote. 

I think I’ve seen this film before… ????

We might have not liked my ending, but I had the best time with my lovely @dragraceukbbc girls! I am so so so damn honored to be part of this amazing show! ????????

Philippines, Asia, World, thank you so much for giving this little Filipina a… pic.twitter.

com/7oeqZFQ8eA

— Marina Summers (@marinaxsummers) March 29, 2024

The sole Filipino on this season's cast previously finished as the runner-up of the inaugural "Drag Race Philippines," which crowned Precious Paula Nicole.

Marina proudly represented the Philippines on "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World" and is the only contestant with multiple badges from maxi challenges and runways at three.

The Filipino drag queen's highlights include impersonating boxer Manny Pacquiao during the Snatch Game, being dubbed the best dancer on the cast, and receiving an uplifting comment from RuPaul that she was "born to do drag."

Marina has also been donning Filipino outfits on and off the stage, often wearing terno or woven textiles when in the Werk Room and tapping the help of designers for the runways.

Among those runway looks are a volcano dress and lava gown designed by Job Dacon and Mak Tumang (a spin on Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray's iconic dress), a Bangus Terno designed by Axel Que, and a traditional Yakan wedding ceremony attire.

RELATED: Trans queen Captivating Katkat wins 'Drag Race Philippines' Season 2

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