Is Drag Den 'Too Political?'

The gilded age of Philippine drag is underway, and it’s been a long time coming. More and more people are starting to appreciate the burgeoning local drag scene, thanks to shows that brought it into mainstream media. First, there was the arrival of RuPaul's Drag Race in the country, which commanded global attention to the talent and artistry of our drag queens. And then comes Drag Den with Manila Luzon on Amazon Prime Video. 

ALSO READ: Drag Den With Manila Luzon Is Now the Most-Viewed Show in the Philippines on Amazon Prime Video

Drag Den stands out from other reality drag competitions because it is so unapologetically Filipino. Hosted by Drag Race alumna and Filipino drag icon, Manila Luzon, the entire show is thematically anchored on the persisting drug problem in the Philippines. We’ve got Manila as the “Drag Lord” Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves as the “Drag Dealer,” and internet sensation Sassa Gurl as the “Drag Runner.” Meanwhile, the guest judges for each episode are called “Drag Enforcers.” 

It’s clear, from the onset, that the show is rich in creativity and wit—and boldness, too. In the Drag is Political episode, for instance, the queens were challenged to wear a visual representation of their personal advocacies on the pageant stage. This, along with extemporaneous speeches and their fashionable looks, brought protesting to a whole new level. Trans rights, corruption, the killing of farmers, and cancel culture were among the issues tackled. 

Relative to other franchises that generally tiptoe around politics, Drag Den’s openness when it comes to offering social commentary feels like a breath of fresh air. Especially because it talks specifically about real difficulties faced by Filipinos and makes references to forgotten–and in some cases, willfully ignored–Philippine history. Plus, they served us hilarious kalye banter, campy lip-sync battles, and trans folk inclusivity. No wonder drag addicts are eating up the show. It could not be more representative of the queer community zeitgeist.

Some viewers have aired out concerns about the show being “too political,” but is there such a thing? If there is an avenue to promote causes and call for support for marginalized groups, then shouldn’t drag queens be allowed to maximize this platform? Besides, drag has always been political.

The mere act of cross-dressing is a statement because it challenges the gender dichotomy, which is one of the most dominant frameworks with which power relations are formed in society. Pushing the boundaries of what behavior is expected from you, in an environment that has a tendency to vilify anything outside of the norms, can be dangerous. So yes, drag is and should be playful and entertaining, but it can also be profound. 

“To rebel is justified in a world that is unjust.” - NAIA, the first Drag Supreme of Prime Video’s Drag Den With Manila Luzon

Photo by Amazon Prime Video.

Drag queens have been making political waves throughout history. This is not only seen in their performance art but in their contributions to resistance movements as well. Take, for example, icons such as Marsha P. Johnson, a transvestite drag queen, who fought back against the police at a time when same-sex relations were illegal in New York. The momentous Stonewall Riots would eventually galvanize the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

Preceding eras have not been kind to LGBTQIA+ people. From being the butt of jokes, victims of discrimination, and casualties of hate crimes, they have been through an awful lot. But we are now at a cultural crossroads where reductive and outdated ideas about gender are being taken apart. And with drag queens evolving from obscure club entertainers to micro-celebrities with an ever-expanding social media reach, they are in a particularly unique position to inspire critical discourse. 

We should embrace, or at the very least welcome, the kind of radical irreverence we saw in Drag Den. What with the glaring ineptitude of those at the top, there’s no better time to be vocal than now. 

You can now watch all seven episodes of Drag Den with Manila Luzon on Prime Video.