By Maria Katrina Segui
Drag show enthusiasts are finally being treated with a locally produced reality drag competition hosted by Manila Luzon.
The Filipino-American alum of the famed global drag reality series RuPaul’s Drag Race made the announcement on her social media pages on Thursday.
“It’s time to lace up, Pilipinas! You wanted a drag cartel? We heard you, and we’re making it MAJOR!” the two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars competitor wrote on Twitter. “The first ever drag reality show in the Philippines is finally here, and I’m running the show!”
No specific release date has been announced yet but the showrunners teased that the show is “crowning soon.” Drag Den Philippines will be directed by Mamu: And a Mother Too filmmaker Rod Singh under Cornerstone Studios and Project 8 Projects.
The drag queen previously revealed in a virtual press conference on June 16 her desire to bring the Filipino drag scene into the spotlight.
“Hopefully with my help, we can bring more attention to the drag scene in the Philippines and opening people’s minds to how fabulous a drag show can be and that it’s an art form and drag queens are multi-faceted, talented artists and creators, and performers, and make-up artists and fashion designers. We do it all and it’s something that’s really impressive and I don’t think a lot of people know how much work goes into it," she said.
"The drag scene in the Philippines needs the attention it deserves,” she added.
Manila also shared that a local drag show would undoubtedly set forth a greater acceptance and representation for the Filipino drag community.
Manila Luzon is a Filipino-American drag queen who gained international attention when she appeared on two seasons of the drag competition show, RuPaul’s Drag Race.