Precious Paula Nicole: From drag queen of hearts to Drag Race Philippines' first-ever winner

Condragulations to our first-ever drag superstar, Precious Paula Nicole!

All throughout the first season of "Drag Race Philippines," Precious Paula Nicole  queen showcased not just her talent, wit, creativity, and resourcefulness but more importantly, her heart.

It really is no wonder that she was hailed the winner of the first-ever "Drag Race Philippines."

The newly minted queen sat down with GMA News Online for an exclusive interview about all things drag.

How are you feeling after being crowned as Philippine’s first drag superstar?

Hindi pa nagsi-sink in, honestly. Basta, nung i-announce na ‘yung winner, hindi ko talaga in-expect at all.

Tapos I was thinking the whole day na “hope for the best, and expect for the worst.” Alam ko sobrang tight nang laban namin ni Marina, but I’m starting to process now na nanalo ako. Nasa Cloud 9 pa ako eh.

[It hasn’t sunk in yet. When the winner was announced, I didn’t expect it to be me. During the finale, I thought to myself, “hope for the best and expect for the worst.” I know the fight between Marina Summers and me was tight, but I’m starting to process now that I’ve won. I’m still on Cloud 9.]

Congratulations to Philippine’s first-ever #dragrace superstar: @PreciousPaulaN! | @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Jx68TvMXyK

— Hermes Joy Tunac (@hermes_tunac) October 12, 2022

To whom do you dedicate this crown?

Always for my family. Hindi lang ‘yung crown. ‘Yung every day na ginagawa ko, trabaho ko, paghihirap ko. It’s always for my family.

[Always for my family. Not just this crown, but also my every day work as a drag queen and my hardships, it’s always for my family.]

What’s the most unforgettable part of the show?

When I won the badge, my first and only RuBadge, while I was [impersonating] Regine Velasquez. And then the family “rusemblance” episode when my brother came into the show.

What can you say to your drag sisters in and out of Drag Race Philippines?

I just love them all. I’m really thankful I’m surrounded with very talented and wonderful queens. Kasi every day na kasama ko sila, marami akong natututunan na bago. And yung natututunan ko, siguro, isa ‘yun sa mga rason na nagpanalo sa 'kin. So, I’m really thankful sa kanila.

[I just love them all. I’m really thankful I’m surrounded by very talented and wonderful queens. Every day I spend with them, I always learn something new. And I think it’s one of the reasons why I won. So, I’m really thankful for them.]

Ladies and gentlemen, HER. @PreciousPaulaN , I bow to thee. I love you. And I will always be a fan! Rep hard with the crown! Bagay na bagay sayo ang korona Boss Rodolfo! Pautang naman pang piyansa lang ???? pic.twitter.com/MHUoaZllau

— Marina Summers #TeamMarina (@marinaxsummers) October 13, 2022

Was there ever a time in the competition that you felt you would be eliminated?

Since first episode, kung ‘di niyo napapansin sa Untucked, lagi kong inaaral ‘yung lip sync. Kasi I’m always expecting for the worst since Day 1.

Lagi akong may pang “ruveal,” lagi akong handa, lagi ako nag-aaral ng song. ‘Yun na yung naging mantra ko, eh. Upon entering the competition, I didn’t want to be the first to be eliminated. After that, sabi ko, okay na ako.

[If you haven’t noticed, during Untucked episodes, I always practice the songs for lipsync because I’m always expecting for the worst since Day 1. I’m always prepared to have a “ruveal” and to master lipsync songs. Upon entering the competition, my only wish was not to get eliminated in the first episode. After that, I told myself, I’ll be fine.]

What are you going to miss the most in Drag Race Philippines?

I’ll miss the girls, kasi we are so busy na because of the viewing parties. We don’t get to see each other often kasi iba-iba ‘yung shows namin.

But one thing I’ll miss the most is the feeling of the viewing parties na para kaming nanunuod ng laban ni Pacquiao, laban ni Pia. Para siyang Miss Universe and boxing at the same time kasi nakikita mo yung mga tao nagi-invest sila ng oras, pera, pagod, lahat.

[I’ll always miss the girls because we’ve been so busy with the viewing parties. We don’t see each other often because all our shows are in different locations. But I’ll miss the feeling of viewing parties like we’re witnessing Manny Pacquiao’s boxing fight or Pia Wurtzbach’s Miss Universe competition because people are investing their time, money, and energy in us, drag queens.]

How do you see the future of drag in the Philippines?

Very bright. As a 12-year drag queen, I was really waiting for this to happen. To be honest, I was a little hesitant before, baka mamaya 'di siya kagatin ng mga tao. Pero sa mga nangyayari, everyone is celebrating with us. Everyone is celebrating us. So, I’m really happy and confident to say that mas marami pang mangyayari sa mga susunod na araw. Simula pa lang tong Drag Race Philippines.

[Very bright. As a 12-year drag queen, I was really waiting for this to happen. To be honest, I was a little hesitant before because I wasn’t sure if Filipinos would like it. But with what’s happening right now, everyone is celebrating with us. Everyone is celebrating us. So, I’m happy and confident that many exciting things are just about to unfold. The Drag Race Philippines is just the beginning.]

What piece of advice can you give to those who look up to you as an inspiration to become a drag queen?

I want them to believe in themselves, kasi alam mo sa sarili mo kung ano ‘yung para sa’yo at kapag ‘yun ay naisip mo, simulan mo na. Kasi life is short, life is precious, so simulan mo na kasi ganun lang din ‘yung ginawa ko.

Hindi ako nagdalawang isip when I thought of doing drag. Sabi ko, I’m gonna start now. I’m gonna do it now because kailan pa kung hindi ngayon? Gawin niyo na ngayon and always think and perform from the heart kasi kapag ang puso na ang nag-perform at nagbigay ng message, wala na ‘yang katapat. That is priceless.

[I want them to believe in themselves because you know in yourself what is meant for you. And once you figure that out, start now. Because life is short, life is precious, so make your dreams happen now because that’s the exact thing I did. I told myself I would start now because if not, then when? So do it now and always think and perform from the heart because once your heart sheds light on what you do and delivers its message, that is incomparable. That is priceless.]

What’s the first thing you will do with your prize and new status?

I will keep it and I will invest, of course. Hindi ko siya hahayaang mauwi sa wala. Kagaya nga ng sinabi ko sa show, sabi ko sa kapatid ko, mag-apply siya ng passport kasi aalis kami and i-celebrate namin 'to ng magkakasama. Pero sa ngayon, gusto ko muna matulog because I was sleepless for how many nights.

[I will keep it, and I will invest, of course. I won’t let it go down the drain. Just like what I said in the show, I told my brother to get himself a passport because we would go out of the country and celebrate this win with our siblings. But for now, I want to sleep because I’ve been sleepless for the past few nights.]

All hail the queen, Precious Paula Nicole! — LA, GMA News