The most anticipated drag reality competition is now in the Philippines! Drag Race Philippines aired its first-ever episode on August 17, 2022 and “Nako, ang taray!” is an understatement.

 

Drag Race Philippines is the Filipino franchise of the famous reality competition show, Rupaul’s Drag Race, which showcased the world of drag out of the theaters, clubs, and bars into international screens and stages. Rupaul’s Drag Race was introduced in 2009 and it currently has 14 seasons and has various international franchises all over the globe. 

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Rupaul’s Drag Race was produced and hosted by Rupaul Charles—who famously stated “And I knew that drag has more significant meaning and power than just what it seems like on the surface—it speaks to the duality of our lives as humans on this planet.”

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Drag, by its definition, refers to the performance of masculinity, femininity or other forms of gender expression. Its presence in the Philippines has been existent ever since however, this art expression, even with its overwhelming impact, stayed underground in the country—solely because of its conservatism. Drag artist, Manila Luzon, a Filipino contestant and is a ru-girl, believes that the Philippines consistently yet slowly keeps up in this department.

 

It is, indeed, without a doubt that our country’s perception of drag and the people doing it are affected by the inculcated values in us—rooted from the beliefs imparted to us by our colonizers, especially by the Spaniards. The Philippines is well-known for its conservatism and its causes are evident in today’s society. Included in the causes are the discrimination both the members of the LGBTQIA+ and drag community endured in the past years, as well as the oppression each of them experiences on a daily basis. Amidst all these, drag has proven itself to be stronger than all of its suppressor—drag has proven its firmness, the passion inside each person doing drag truly is unyielding.