ADVERTISEMENT

Lifestyle

'Drag Den Philippines' finale: 5 fun things that went down

By HERMES JOY TUNAC,GMA Integrated News

After a two-month run of "Drag Den Philippines," its first season has come to an end.

In a grand coronation night and finale concert held in the Samsung Hall in SM Aura Premier, the queens of "Drag Den Philippines" as well as the "Drag Cartel" delivered a spectacular show for its fans and supporters.

In case you missed it, here are five unforgettable moments that went down during its live finale.

1. NAIA as the first-ever Pinoy Drag Supreme

After a turbulent takeoff in Episode 1, NAIA has landed and arrived as the first-ever Pinoy Drag Supreme after besting her co-finalists Shewarma and Maria Cristina in a series of pageant-like challenges.

In her crowning moment and acceptance speech, the 26-year-old drag queen from Las Piñas said that the one message she wants to impart, especially to young queer artists, is to "never give up on themselves."

"We have so much to do, and as drag queens, as queer icons, we could use our voice to empower others and to lift our spirits up," NAIA said.

2. "Drag Den Philippines" pays homage to legendary drag queens Mama Letlet, Mama Pie, and Mama Bobby

Before crowning its first Pinoy Drag Supreme, the show spotlighted the original icons that paved the way for Filipino drag. As Manila Luzon said, "they walked the streets so the queens of today could fly."

"Drag Den Philippines is our love letter to Pinoy Drag. From the stages of baranggayan to the world stage, the legends made it all possible," Drag Den Philippines creator Rod Singh said.

ADVERTISEMENT

3. Solo performances of "Drag Den Philippines" queens

Ending the first season with a bang, the seven queens of "Drag Den Philippines," namely Pura Luka Vega, O-A, Aries Night, Lady Gagita, Maria Cristina, Shewarma, and NAIA had their own time to shine with their solo performances. Meanwhile, Barbie Q wowed the crowd with her queen-like entrance in an intricately made white ensemble.

4. Standing ovation of Lady Gagita's remake of Lady Gaga's "Applause" performance at MTV Video Music Awards 2013

Lady Gagita may not have won the crown, but she has definitely won the crowd! The drag queen from Davao recreated Lady Gaga's 2013 VMA performance of "Applause," and it's an understatement to say that she killed every second of it. After her performance, she received an astounding standing ovation.

5. Manila Luzon's live performance of her song "Drag Den"

Towards the entire first season of "Drag Den Philippines" up until its finale, Manila Luzon giving her spotlight to the competing queens was very apparent. So, during the finale, it was only fitting for the "Drag Lord" to have her moment, too. She sang the show's theme song, "Drag Den," live, and the crowd went wild!

Produced by CS Studios, Rod Singh, and Antoinette Jadaone of Project 8 Projects, all episodes of "Drag Den Philippines" are now streaming on Prime Video.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News