MANILA, Philippines — Can I get an EME up in here!?
WOW Presents Plus announced on Friday, March 14, that the Philippine franchise of the reality competition of Drag Race returns at the end of the year with an all-stars twist.
Filipino drag queens who have competed previously in the local franchise will be coming back to vie for the crown once again. This time, they will also be facing other Asian queens from across other franchises of the reality series.
In a social media post, they said that this edition of the show aims to showcase Asian excellence in a creative clash of culture and history.
“This new version of Drag Race shines a spotlight on Asian drag as never before, celebrating its culture, its history and creativity in a unique battle royale,” they shared.
This is the first time in the series’ herstory that a version is only exclusive to Asians.
First aired in August 2022, Drag Race Philippines (DRPH) already has three seasons, with winners being Precious Paula Nicole (2022), Captivating Katkat (2023), and Maxie in 2024.
It is hosted by Filipino actor and comedian, Paolo Ballesteros, better known as “Mama Pao.” He is joined in the judge’s panel by RuGirl Jiggly Caliente, who competed in the main series, and Kaladkaren, an award-winning TV host and actress.
Other than its winners, the show also produced other notable local drag queens, with some even gaining global popularity and making their way to compete in international franchises.
In February 2024, DRPH season 1 runner-up, Marina Summers made her way to RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. the World, where she also finished as a finalist.
Meanwhile, DRPH season 1 third runner-up, Eva Le Queen also had a run at RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars, where she represented the Philippines and landed in 10th place.
Based on numbers cited in a Rappler in-depth report, the series has steadily grown in popularity and interest for Filipino audiences since its first edition in the country. The show has served as a platform for drag artists to not only showcase their talent but also raise awareness on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. – with reports by Kevin Ian Lampayan/Rappler.com
Kevin Ian Lampayan is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.