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“Gusto ko talagang magkaroon ng safe space dito sa QC.”

This was what businessman-actor RS Francisco said about the drag club called Rampa.

He admitted to being so determined to create a safe space for everyone that he tried to convince his partners to put up Rampa, the first drag club in Quezon City that opened in February 2024.

“Rampa is a club I had in my mind even before the pandemic. I wanted to give the LGBTQIA+ a safe space where they can be celebrated, where they can be themselves, where they are celebrated themselves,” RS said in a pocket interview with GMANetwork.com and other selected entertainment vloggers recently.

He further explained, “Minsan kasi, being part of the community myself, sometimes I feel like a minority sa isang lugar, sa isang event or occasion. Gusto kong bigyan sila ng isang lugar kung saan sila ang bida. Kaya ko kinoin yung word na rampa kasi it's like slaying, working it. Kapag nandun ka, rumampa ka, ikaw ang star.”

Then, he recalled, “Initially, nahihirapan talaga akong mag-propose sa [business] partners. I had to really lobby. I think one of the two LGBTQIA+ member partners… sa sampung incorporators, medyo mahirap i-push yung mga gusto kong agenda for the LGBTQIA+ community.

“But I really pushed hard and in 2023, I told myself, hindi ko na titigilan ito. Sabi ko, kailangan by the end or 2023 or early 2024, magagawa ko na yung safe space ko for the community. So, noong February 17, na-launch na yung Rampa.”

Among his business partners are showbiz personalities such as Boy Abunda, Ice Seguerra, and Liza Diño.

A safe space for everyone

While more of their shows feature drag performers, RS said their club is open to everyone.

He said, “You'll see how safe and welcome you'll feel kapag nandoon ka. Whatever it is you perceived to be, sa Rampa, wala yun. Lahat tayo, star diyan, puwedeng magpabida. Lahat tayo puwedeng rumampa. Lahat tayo celebrated.”

In connection to this, RS also takes pride in its staff who are well-oriented about the LGBTQIA+ community and the SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression).

He said, “With the help of Paulo Castro and Darryl Reciña, they are the expert talaga in LGBTQIA+, SOGIE. I'll be honest with you, even I, as a member of the community, medyo nalilito pa rin ako minsan. Ayaw kong magmarunong na, 'Oh, alam ko na lahat 'yan.' Minsan pati ako, nalilito pa rin. Ayaw kong magsabi na ako yung authority, so kinuha namin sina Paulo Castro at Darryl Reciña para magbigay [ng orientation].

“Our members, bartenders, staff, bouncers, alam kung paano makitungo, paano tratuhin, paano i-address ang situations, even our drag performers. We made sure na everyone, pati na rin ako, we are all properly oriented sa SOGIE, sa mga ganyan, para iwas na sa kung anumang isyu. Katulad ng tinawag na 'sir,' hindi pinapasok, nakasuot ng ganito, ganyan.

“Para sa akin, ang bottom line lang is respeto. Kung ano ang tingin mo sa sarili mo, I respect that. As long as wala kang tinatapakan na tao, wala kang ginagawang masama, hindi ka nanloloko, hindi ka nanggugulang ng tao, I respect you.”

At Rampa, clubgoers can expect performances of popular drag performers including Drag Race Philippine alumni Precious Paula Nicole, Brigiding, and Viñas De Luxe, who are known as a group called Divine Divas. They also feature Kiari, Katana, Neenja, Bomba Ding, Zymba Ding, and many others.

“Ayaw ko na sila tawagin na drag queens kasi we also have straight performers, may straight na babae and may straight na lalaki,” RS stated.

Meanwhile, look at these drag queen and their out-of-drag looks:

As a part owner of the drag club, RS hopes to give the clubgoers a fun and lively show when they visit Rampa.

"Ang main objective ko is, paglabas ng tao sa Rampa--kahit sino ka, whether straight or LGBTQIA+, ally or whatever--'Ang saya naman sa Rampa, parang family reunion,'" he said.

Likewise, these reactions give RS a sense of satisfaction.

“Ang pinakabalik sa akin is yung mga nagsasabi sa akin na, 'First time kong makanood ng drag show, ganito pala, ang saya pala, hindi pala malaswa.' May mga misconceptions, especially sa mga hindi pa nakakanood.

“Even ako, hindi naman ako nagpupunta sa mga drag clubs before Rampa. Parati lang ako a G side, it's one of my clubs, doon lang ako parating tumatambay. Ang crowd ko puro straight.

“Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng drag show, so even ako ay impressed. That's the satisfaction for me and that's more than enough. Makita ko lang yung crowd ko na nag-e-enjoy, at-home, at bumabalik, happy na ako do'n,” he concluded.