‘Drag Den PH’ queens, creator Rod Singh open up about difficult social norms, self-awareness of their craft
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The forged of “Drag Den Philippines” with host, Filipino-American drag queen Manila Luzon, and judges Nicole Cordoves and Sassa Gurl. Picture: Instagram/@dragdenph
Drag queens embody what it means to be fearless. Fancy appears to be like and highly effective performances apart, they intention to shatter socio-political points and sure ideologies — particularly in relation to the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood — to defy typical norms.
Difficult social norms in a conservative nation just like the Philippines is a tall order, however the contestants and creator of “Drag Den Philippines” show why drag is certainly political by means of their advocacies, sprinkled with their signature tawdry humor.
Drag as a message
“I consider that drag has a objective. You remind your self that it’s not nearly being fairly,” drag performer Pura Luka Vega stated at a press convention. “It’s a must to set a transparent perspective and message to everybody who’s watching to problem these concepts that may be detrimental for sure teams of individuals, significantly with the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood.”
Pertaining to the subject of faith, Pura Luka Vega spoke up in opposition to sure “notions that the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood will go to hell for being homosexual.”
“Probably not. If Jesus was alive, he would love everybody,” she stated, a lot to the applause of her fellow queens.
Aries Night time, whose actual title is Thom Cipriano, stated being a drag queen is not only about herself.
“My drag is a end result of every part that I struggle for and consider in. It’s not nearly me, Aries Night time. I’m right here to ship a message to them, let’s say sa mga ibang nagdi-disagree sa mga paniniwala ko. On the finish of the day, kung nasa tama ka naman, bakit ka matatakot,” she added.
Regardless of the critics, Aries makes certain to recollect the aim of why she selected to be a drag queen. “All of it goes again to your intent, ‘yung objective mo of why you’re doing drag. I discover it simpler to course of if I do know that my drag will not be about myself,” she stated.
Accepting criticisms in stride
“Drag Den PH” takes a cue from barangay pageants on paper, but it surely gives an expertise that calls for extra from society. All through the present’s run, it hopes to interrupt away from marginal areas and to struggle for acceptance.
Regardless of its clear objective, present creator and filmmaker Rod Singh admitted that the present receives criticisms even from the followers itself.
“Isa sa naging coaching namin is to course of critics and bashers,” Singh shared, admitting that a few of the contestants are new to the showbiz business. “Ang ginagawa ko to assist them course of kung ano man ang nakukuha nila. We are able to by no means eliminate them however a minimum of, now we have an avenue to maneuver ahead.”
Singh additionally revealed that a few of the present’s critiques are legitimate.
“Might mga legitimate naman. ‘Yung mapapaisip kami na, ‘If solely nagawa namin ‘yun.’ Siyempre, ino-note namin ‘yun. Pero in fact, might mga criticisms na misplaced and out of context,” she stated. “How can we transfer ahead? Pag-usapan natin at dedma.”
As a veteran performer, Woman Gagita admitted that she began filming for the drag actuality present when she confronted criticisms for her political views.
“Nagsimula ako sa time noong marami pang points ang binabato sa’kin. I consider that one of the best ways to maneuver ahead is to rely your blessings,” Woman Gagita, whose actual title is Vinzon Leojay Booc, stated. “It’s a must to encompass your self with folks na naniniwala sa iyo. Kung mabibilang mo lang ‘yung bashers sa kamay, bakit mo pa kailangang mag-exert ng effort and power with them?”
Honesty in drag
The essence of drag lies within the artwork of impersonation. Performers tackle varied roles, as they step away from the sneakers of themselves to tackle a personality. However for Woman Gagita, humbling your self is without doubt one of the most essential classes she realized all through her profession.
“I actually consider in my mantra that on a regular basis is a studying course of,” she stated. “Despite the fact that might napatunayan ka na, you simply have to simply accept that there are youthful ones na mas magaling sa iyo.”
The drag performer additionally believes that it’s essential to nurture youthful artists to assist them succeed within the business.
“Hindi mo sila kailangang banggain. You simply need to respect them, kasi matututunan din nila ‘yun at madadala nila ‘yun sa kanilang pagtatagumpay,” Woman Gagita added.
Shewarma, who was born as Jamil Crescini, admitted that “Drag Den PH” helped her to face agency together with her beliefs.
“Hindi lang ako naging half ng Drag Den para manalo. Naging matapang at vocal din ako sa drag ko kasi legitimate ako eh. Ito ang iniisip at sinisigaw ng puso ko,” she stated.
She added, “Truly, hindi ako marunong mag-take ng critique ng tao dati. Ngayon, tumatanggap na ako. At tinuturan ko na ‘yung sarili ko. Tinuruan din nila akong maging bukas ang isip ko. Ngayon, open naman ako sa adjustments however nonetheless, kailangan mo pa rin sundan ang sarili mo.”
Brian Black, or NAIA, admitted that honesty is “essential” in enhancing her craft as a drag performer.
“It’s very bizarre as a result of in drag, you’re not sincere to everybody. It’s a change, and also you’re fooling everybody into considering that you simply’re a glamorous being. So, honesty occurs inside. It’s about figuring out your self and figuring out what you are able to do and your price,” she stated.
The “Drag Den PH” finalist additionally shared that being delusional helps in being a greater performer, however there’ll at all times be a superb line.
“Being sincere with your self could be very, very essential in enhancing your artwork. Kasi kung hindi ka sincere sa sarili mo, paano ka magi-improve,” she careworn. “If you happen to’re going to be mendacity to your self, there’s a model of delusion in drag however an excessive amount of delusion will kill you.”
NAIA additionally admitted that she was very experimental together with her drag since she used to battle to find her personal identification.
“NAIA needed to do a variety of issues suddenly. She needs to do every part kasi hindi pa niya kilala ang sarili niya at kung ano man ang strengths niya,” she stated. “I at all times had a voice naman, no matter how lengthy you’re doing drag. However proper now, I really feel extra assured in my expertise and it’s one thing I didn’t have [before Drag Den].” EDV
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