To Wong Foo, Thanks for everything, YStyle
August 12, 2005 | 12:00am
When Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze, flush from the success of DemolitionMan and Point Break, decided to don dresses for the flamboyantly entertaining To Wong Foo, audiences were struck by the sheer audacity of a film that featured two major action stars – read: too macho for words – posing as drag queens hilariously named Noxeema Jackson (Snipes) and Vida Boheme (Swayze). While Swayze looked the part of a southern debutante, his blond hair pulled back into an elegant chignon and his body corseted into a graceful hourglass figure – aristocratic gentility oozing from his every testosterone-filled pore – Snipes’ tight figure-hugging dresses and high-maintenance coiffure couldn’t mask his masculine physique and downright mannish tone. This film, a romp from start to end, details the life and times of three drag queens – or in John Leguizamo’s character’s case, drag princess – as they redecorate every un-glittered surface around them.
This entire film is the training manual for drag queens everywhere and makes every girl and guy in the audience wish they had the same chutzpa to throw on some makeup and a wig and prance about like there’s no tomorrow. Drag queens command attention. From every follicle of their synthetic hair down to their glitter-encrusted platform shoes, everything about them screams fun and fashion, which makes it totally natural to feature a few of Manila’s drag queens for YStyle’s man issue. We put together the most stylin’ drag queen rock band ever to hit our shores and made them pose for a cover shoot that channels Hedwig and the Angry Inch meets Liza Minnelli. Nothing made more sense. Who else has more spunk and style than these fashionable men?
Noxeema Jackson (Snipes’ character) said it best: "When a straight man puts on a dress and gets his sexual kicks, he is a transvestite. When a man is a woman trapped in a man’s body, and has a little operation, he is a transsexual. When a gay man has way too much fashion sense for one gender, he is a drag queen."
Greta Garbage, On lead vocals
When did you start dressing up in drag?
Right after I saw To Wong Foo. That’s when I really wanted to start wearing wigs and high heels. I loved the illusion of looking like a woman yet still having masculine qualities – just like Wesley Snipes’ character.
Are you a professional drag queen?
I do it only when I feel like it – if there’s a party or an event that’s really worth dressing up for. I mean, nothing catches the attention of a room better than a fabulously dressed woman. I can be an attention whore at times, but I don’t bask in it. I just love it when people come up to me and tell me how fab I look. Being in high heels and having long hair makes me feel better too sometimes – I walk better and I carry myself better. There’s a certain powerful air of command whenever I’m in drag and I love it.
Do you copy anyone when you dress up?
I go out in drag because I want to be original, so there’s no point in copying a so-called gay icon’s look. Being a cross-dressing rock star has always been on my list of dreams, but I was never given the gift of music. If I had a band, it would be called Live Via Satellite, and we would sound like Republica crossed with Smashing Pumpkins. Greta Garbage would have the voice of Skin of Skunk Anansie.
Who inspires you fashion-wise?
I think Naomi Campbell is pretty hot.
Do you shop alone or with friends?
Alone. I trust my taste.
What’s better, bags or shoes?
Bags. It’s hard to find a pair of fab shoes that can carry all my weight, but it’s so easy to find a fab bag that can carry all the essentials – lipstick, cellphone, cigarettes and mace.
Would you rather be a girl or a drag queen?
Being a drag queen is too much fun.
What do you say to people who trash-talk about drag queens?
A lady shuts her trap when she has nothing nice to say.
What’s the best thing about being a drag queen?
It’s being excited about your next big outfit, and people just going gaga over you. It’s pure power. One time, during a network’s Christmas street party, I went in a sexy ‘70s outfit – super short hot pants and huge shades– and people just went berserk. It was like having fans. I went up on-stage while the band was performing and made an entire street of people raise their hands up in the air for a snap shot.
In a wrestling match between Mariah and Whitney Houston, who would win?
Mariah’s boobs are just too big. They would clobber Whitney in a second.
Coco La Belle, On bass
When did you start dressing up in drag?
When I was in New York City back in the early ‘90s. I was very curious because I met this French guy in a club who told me I looked very androgynous. Then the club manager, who was his friend, personally asked me if I would like to join a beauty pageant – and I did! I was Miss Dream Queen ’94 and a member of the House of Super Models of Club 58.
Is this a job?
I don’t consider myself a professional drag queen because I don’t perform on-stage. I just do it when I feel like it.
Do you do it for the attention?
That’s part of it, being glamorous – because being fierce is a virtue.
Do you ever dress up as a straight man?
Yes, when I was in college back in NYC. When I began doing drag, I had to maintain my feminine look but by wearing regular, not-so-ostentatious clothing during my down-time. But when I came back home, I had no choice but to stop doing the whole drag thing (on a regular basis) due to family reasons (laughs).
Fashion accessory you can’t live without?
A bra.
Bags or shoes?
Both. I’m not really a bag person, but if I ever do use one when I’m in drag, they have to go with my shoes.
Fashion icons?
Elsa Klensch.
Is there anyone in particular you’d like to emulate?
I love Jackie Onasis because of her beauty and her sense of style. She’s fabulous.
Vivorah, On rhythm guitar
When did you start dressing up in drag?
When we started this group called Raging Divas way back in '99. I was one of the original members of the group.
Do you do this professionally?
Nope, I’m a sing-along master by profession. I perform at the Library, Klownz in Quezon Ave., Comic Lab and Zirkoh. Only when we have special shows, do I go in drag.
Do you ever dress up as a straight man?
Yeah, when I’m not performing.
Your must-have accessory?
A watch, because I hate being late. That’s what my bosses love about me.
Any fashion icons?
Jennifer Lopez, Kuh Ledesma, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Julia Roberts
How about gay idols?
I like Cherie Gil and Maricel Soriano, and Jaclyn Jose. Idol ko sila because they are very good actresses. And then there’s Melanie Marquez, of course – Miss International na, supermodel pa.
Do you do any impersonations?
Actually I do a really good Kuh Ledesma and Miriam Quiambao – and even Senator Loi Ejercito. I do them at People's Pawis at the Music Museum with Ai-ai delas Alas.
What’s the best thing about being a drag queen?
Being able to experiment, express and exaggerate.
Do you think Gwen Stefani has the makings of a drag queen?
Malay ko! I don’t care. Hindi kami close!
Mariah, On lead guitar
Do you do the drag thing on a regular basis?
I’m a professional drag queen at night and makeup artist by day at Tony &Guy. I love to perform on-stage. It’s such a rush, especially when people around me look amazed and stunned when they see me performing.
Do you ever dress up as a straight man?
Yes, of course. I don’t want to be a tease. I only dress up in drag when I’m performing in Government.
Who are your gay idols?
Mariah Carey! I saw her live performance when she came here. I love impersonating her.
Do you do any other impersonations?
Yes, any good impersonator should be able to do five different people. I can do Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Britney, Diana Ross and, of course, Mariah.
Why do drag queens love Cher so much?
Because she’s so beautiful – and she’s got a ton of different wigs and fabulous costumes!
In a wrestling match between Mariah and Whitney Houston, who would win?
I don’t know. I love them both.
The Heiress, On drums
When did you start dressing up in drag?
Ever since I was little, as in grade school! I would try on my mom’s shoes, makeup and jewelry, even her dresses. Then when I turned 15, I started to do drag full-time!
Do you do this professionally?
I really don’t consider myself a "drag queen." I’m "trans-gender." From what I know, drag queens are men who dress to the extreme as women – I mean heavy makeup, fully-sequined gowns with wigs that are higher than the Eiffel tower and shoes that have a life of their own. While on the other hand, trans-gendered individuals like myself live our lives as women 24/7! Dressing up is fun. I get to express how I feel with what I wear – sometimes happy, sometimes sad, but most of the time slutty (laughs). The only bad side to this whole arrangement that I can think of is not knowing how to mix and match accessories, which, by the way, is rampant in our beloved metropolis.
Do you ever dress up as a straight man?
Hell no! Well, I do put on guy shirts but only when I spend the night at his place and I don’t have anything to wear the morning after!
Any gay idols?
Ever since I was a kid, Madonna has been my ultimate idol. I remember singing Papa Don’t Preach at our Christmas party when I was in the second grade and my teacher went crazy! ‘Di nya carry, promise!
Accessories you can’t live without?
There are so many! But if I have to choose, it’ll have to be shoes! No question about it. Especially those strappy stilettos. Hmmm... yummy!
Fashion icons?
Again, there’s so many! Christina Aguilera, Carrie from Sex and the City, the Olsen twins, J.Lo, Nicole Kidman, Alessandra de Rossi, Cherrie Gil, Mylene Dizon, and Paris Hilton – damn, I love that beyotch!
Do you dress up in drag with a personality or look in mind?
It’s a mix of all the girls that I look up to. I get little bits of inspiration from every one of them.
What’s the best thing about being a drag queen?
Knowing that I can pull off an outfit that even real women are afraid to try on and hearing compliments like "Uyyy in fairness, mas-carry mo yang outfit kesa sa totoong girl ha!"
Any local actor you think is hot?
Ehhh, it’s hard to pick out one lang eh. Pwede top five? This is in no particular order, so walang tampuhan. Love ko naman sila lahat eh. Jay-R (That ad for bench made me realize that I love him!), Jay Manalo (Those eyes! They make me go crazy!), Jericho Rosales (I would love to kiss those dimples on his face and… any other place that he has them!), Mark Gil (Ultimate daddy!), John Hall, Eric Menk, Rich Herrera, Alfred Vargas, Wendell Ramos, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Alvin Alfonzo! Pasensya na. They might make tampo if I didn’t mention them!
Catch these performers at the following venues: Mariah at Government (every second and third Friday of the month); The Heiress a.k.a. Peter Castrillo at Klownz, Angeles, Pampanga (Thursdays), Comic Lab, J. Bocobo St., Malate (Fridays and Saturdays), and at The Library, M. Adriatico St., Malate (Sundays); and Vivora at The Library (Wednesdays and Sundays), Klownz, Quezon Ave. (Mondays and Thursdays), Comic Lab (Fridays and Saturdays) and Zirkoh (Mondays).
Government is located at 7840 Makati Ave., Makati City. It’s open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 10 p.m. onwards. Visit www.kokunevents.com or e-mail management@kokunevents.com for more information.
Contact designers Puey Quinones at 889-4650 or 0916-7763098, Joel Acebuche at 0917-6204850 and Aireen Enguito at 0915-3192350.
This entire film is the training manual for drag queens everywhere and makes every girl and guy in the audience wish they had the same chutzpa to throw on some makeup and a wig and prance about like there’s no tomorrow. Drag queens command attention. From every follicle of their synthetic hair down to their glitter-encrusted platform shoes, everything about them screams fun and fashion, which makes it totally natural to feature a few of Manila’s drag queens for YStyle’s man issue. We put together the most stylin’ drag queen rock band ever to hit our shores and made them pose for a cover shoot that channels Hedwig and the Angry Inch meets Liza Minnelli. Nothing made more sense. Who else has more spunk and style than these fashionable men?
Noxeema Jackson (Snipes’ character) said it best: "When a straight man puts on a dress and gets his sexual kicks, he is a transvestite. When a man is a woman trapped in a man’s body, and has a little operation, he is a transsexual. When a gay man has way too much fashion sense for one gender, he is a drag queen."
Greta Garbage, On lead vocals
When did you start dressing up in drag?
Right after I saw To Wong Foo. That’s when I really wanted to start wearing wigs and high heels. I loved the illusion of looking like a woman yet still having masculine qualities – just like Wesley Snipes’ character.
Are you a professional drag queen?
I do it only when I feel like it – if there’s a party or an event that’s really worth dressing up for. I mean, nothing catches the attention of a room better than a fabulously dressed woman. I can be an attention whore at times, but I don’t bask in it. I just love it when people come up to me and tell me how fab I look. Being in high heels and having long hair makes me feel better too sometimes – I walk better and I carry myself better. There’s a certain powerful air of command whenever I’m in drag and I love it.
Do you copy anyone when you dress up?
I go out in drag because I want to be original, so there’s no point in copying a so-called gay icon’s look. Being a cross-dressing rock star has always been on my list of dreams, but I was never given the gift of music. If I had a band, it would be called Live Via Satellite, and we would sound like Republica crossed with Smashing Pumpkins. Greta Garbage would have the voice of Skin of Skunk Anansie.
Who inspires you fashion-wise?
I think Naomi Campbell is pretty hot.
Do you shop alone or with friends?
Alone. I trust my taste.
What’s better, bags or shoes?
Bags. It’s hard to find a pair of fab shoes that can carry all my weight, but it’s so easy to find a fab bag that can carry all the essentials – lipstick, cellphone, cigarettes and mace.
Would you rather be a girl or a drag queen?
Being a drag queen is too much fun.
What do you say to people who trash-talk about drag queens?
A lady shuts her trap when she has nothing nice to say.
What’s the best thing about being a drag queen?
It’s being excited about your next big outfit, and people just going gaga over you. It’s pure power. One time, during a network’s Christmas street party, I went in a sexy ‘70s outfit – super short hot pants and huge shades– and people just went berserk. It was like having fans. I went up on-stage while the band was performing and made an entire street of people raise their hands up in the air for a snap shot.
In a wrestling match between Mariah and Whitney Houston, who would win?
Mariah’s boobs are just too big. They would clobber Whitney in a second.
Coco La Belle, On bass
When did you start dressing up in drag?
When I was in New York City back in the early ‘90s. I was very curious because I met this French guy in a club who told me I looked very androgynous. Then the club manager, who was his friend, personally asked me if I would like to join a beauty pageant – and I did! I was Miss Dream Queen ’94 and a member of the House of Super Models of Club 58.
Is this a job?
I don’t consider myself a professional drag queen because I don’t perform on-stage. I just do it when I feel like it.
Do you do it for the attention?
That’s part of it, being glamorous – because being fierce is a virtue.
Do you ever dress up as a straight man?
Yes, when I was in college back in NYC. When I began doing drag, I had to maintain my feminine look but by wearing regular, not-so-ostentatious clothing during my down-time. But when I came back home, I had no choice but to stop doing the whole drag thing (on a regular basis) due to family reasons (laughs).
Fashion accessory you can’t live without?
A bra.
Bags or shoes?
Both. I’m not really a bag person, but if I ever do use one when I’m in drag, they have to go with my shoes.
Fashion icons?
Elsa Klensch.
Is there anyone in particular you’d like to emulate?
I love Jackie Onasis because of her beauty and her sense of style. She’s fabulous.
Vivorah, On rhythm guitar
When did you start dressing up in drag?
When we started this group called Raging Divas way back in '99. I was one of the original members of the group.
Do you do this professionally?
Nope, I’m a sing-along master by profession. I perform at the Library, Klownz in Quezon Ave., Comic Lab and Zirkoh. Only when we have special shows, do I go in drag.
Do you ever dress up as a straight man?
Yeah, when I’m not performing.
Your must-have accessory?
A watch, because I hate being late. That’s what my bosses love about me.
Any fashion icons?
Jennifer Lopez, Kuh Ledesma, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Julia Roberts
How about gay idols?
I like Cherie Gil and Maricel Soriano, and Jaclyn Jose. Idol ko sila because they are very good actresses. And then there’s Melanie Marquez, of course – Miss International na, supermodel pa.
Do you do any impersonations?
Actually I do a really good Kuh Ledesma and Miriam Quiambao – and even Senator Loi Ejercito. I do them at People's Pawis at the Music Museum with Ai-ai delas Alas.
What’s the best thing about being a drag queen?
Being able to experiment, express and exaggerate.
Do you think Gwen Stefani has the makings of a drag queen?
Malay ko! I don’t care. Hindi kami close!
Mariah, On lead guitar
Do you do the drag thing on a regular basis?
I’m a professional drag queen at night and makeup artist by day at Tony &Guy. I love to perform on-stage. It’s such a rush, especially when people around me look amazed and stunned when they see me performing.
Do you ever dress up as a straight man?
Yes, of course. I don’t want to be a tease. I only dress up in drag when I’m performing in Government.
Who are your gay idols?
Mariah Carey! I saw her live performance when she came here. I love impersonating her.
Do you do any other impersonations?
Yes, any good impersonator should be able to do five different people. I can do Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Britney, Diana Ross and, of course, Mariah.
Why do drag queens love Cher so much?
Because she’s so beautiful – and she’s got a ton of different wigs and fabulous costumes!
In a wrestling match between Mariah and Whitney Houston, who would win?
I don’t know. I love them both.
The Heiress, On drums
When did you start dressing up in drag?
Ever since I was little, as in grade school! I would try on my mom’s shoes, makeup and jewelry, even her dresses. Then when I turned 15, I started to do drag full-time!
Do you do this professionally?
I really don’t consider myself a "drag queen." I’m "trans-gender." From what I know, drag queens are men who dress to the extreme as women – I mean heavy makeup, fully-sequined gowns with wigs that are higher than the Eiffel tower and shoes that have a life of their own. While on the other hand, trans-gendered individuals like myself live our lives as women 24/7! Dressing up is fun. I get to express how I feel with what I wear – sometimes happy, sometimes sad, but most of the time slutty (laughs). The only bad side to this whole arrangement that I can think of is not knowing how to mix and match accessories, which, by the way, is rampant in our beloved metropolis.
Do you ever dress up as a straight man?
Hell no! Well, I do put on guy shirts but only when I spend the night at his place and I don’t have anything to wear the morning after!
Any gay idols?
Ever since I was a kid, Madonna has been my ultimate idol. I remember singing Papa Don’t Preach at our Christmas party when I was in the second grade and my teacher went crazy! ‘Di nya carry, promise!
Accessories you can’t live without?
There are so many! But if I have to choose, it’ll have to be shoes! No question about it. Especially those strappy stilettos. Hmmm... yummy!
Fashion icons?
Again, there’s so many! Christina Aguilera, Carrie from Sex and the City, the Olsen twins, J.Lo, Nicole Kidman, Alessandra de Rossi, Cherrie Gil, Mylene Dizon, and Paris Hilton – damn, I love that beyotch!
Do you dress up in drag with a personality or look in mind?
It’s a mix of all the girls that I look up to. I get little bits of inspiration from every one of them.
What’s the best thing about being a drag queen?
Knowing that I can pull off an outfit that even real women are afraid to try on and hearing compliments like "Uyyy in fairness, mas-carry mo yang outfit kesa sa totoong girl ha!"
Any local actor you think is hot?
Ehhh, it’s hard to pick out one lang eh. Pwede top five? This is in no particular order, so walang tampuhan. Love ko naman sila lahat eh. Jay-R (That ad for bench made me realize that I love him!), Jay Manalo (Those eyes! They make me go crazy!), Jericho Rosales (I would love to kiss those dimples on his face and… any other place that he has them!), Mark Gil (Ultimate daddy!), John Hall, Eric Menk, Rich Herrera, Alfred Vargas, Wendell Ramos, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Alvin Alfonzo! Pasensya na. They might make tampo if I didn’t mention them!
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