MANILA, PHILIPPINES — LGBTQIA+ history and culture are not complete without drag. As an art form, it’s one that embodies subversion, plays with gender, and most importantly, is rooted in the politics and community building that can’t — and should not be erased — from LGBTQIA+ history and culture.
In the past decade, drag has become more mainstream, in huge part because of Rupaul’s Drag Race, a phenomenon that has transcended communities. And while that has been an amazing thing, it comes with the stronger need to keep in mind that drag culture and history are so much richer and more diverse than what one can find through mainstream Western programs.
In anticipation of the two exciting drag TV shows coming to the Philippines — Drag Race Philippines and Drag Den — it’s important to remember that drag has been a part of Filipino LGBTQ+ culture long before those programs were announced. So, as part of Pride month, adobo Magazine is putting a spotlight on three exemplary local queens that show how much drag excellence there is to discover — and support — in this country.
For this series’ second edition, adobo Magazine had a chat with Myx Chanel, a non-binary drag artist who mixes cartoon aesthetics with glamour gives stunning performances, and serves drag excellence that goes beyond the binary.
To this queen, Myx Chanel isn’t a separate character; Myx Chanel is a part of them that’s inseparable from who they are even after the make-up is wiped off and the heels are set aside.
“My drag persona is not necessarily a persona to me,” they told adobo Magazine. “[Myx Chanel] is very much the same person [just] a bit more sociable, approachable, poised, put-together, and self-aware.”
Their drag has also been a way for them to get to play with the on-screen aesthetics that they adored as a kid. When you see Myx Chanel, you’ll think fashion. But it also doesn’t take long to see the influences of classic cartoons.
“I’m very known for fashion that’s kind of like anime or cartoonish,” they said. “I get a lot of my references from designers and from runaways. But I always tried to infuse it with a bit of the cartoon or video game characters that I loved from my childhood. Kind of as a way to live out my inner child.”
They go on to use Sailor Moon as an example, citing how the show’s character designer was inspired by real-world designers like Dior and Mugler. “That was something that really resonated with me. That marriage of fiction and high-fashion is kind of like where I see myself and that’s where I lean towards,” they shared. “I like looking like I’m from outer space. I like looking kind of like a lunar goddess. Kinda like a Gundam pilot. Kind of like a magical girl.”
In the two years that Myx Chanel has been exploring their aesthetic and doing drag, they’ve already carved out a space for themself in the Manila drag scene — from snatching the crown during the first season of Spotlight, SpacesMNL’s online drag competition, to co-hosting BEKENEMEN, their Rupaul’s Drag Race recap podcast on Spotify, and their Drag Race viewing parties.
But their rise has been a long time coming, because while they didn’t start taking drag seriously until 2020, Myx Chanel said they’ve had one foot in the door for a while now.
“I started during the pandemic, [but] I found out about drag and Drag Race in 2013. It piqued my interest with makeup, with hair, with designing costumes, and with performing,” Myx Chanel said.
It wasn’t until 2019 when they went to Nectar, an LGBTQIA+ nightclub in Metro Manila, and watched the ‘Drag Cartel lip sync battles. “The moment that I saw the queens performing on the page, I was like, ‘I can do that. I want to do that,’” they recalled. “When 2020 came around, I was like ‘New Year’s resolution. I’m gonna try to take drag a bit more seriously this time’… and then the pandemic happened.”
They said that their office job was then shut down for a while. While they were given allowances, they essentially had no work for two months. So, they spent that time to start their drag career.
“I just ordered some stuff from Shopee and tried to get things started from there, and then, eventually, it became a thing. By December 2020, I won my first online competition under SpacesMNL called Spotlight. I won the first season and started doing live shows on Facebook Live or on the streaming app Kumu.”
Myx Chanel recalled continuing to do online shows until Nectar reopened in December 2021. Then, after a string of referrals that started from their drag mother, they started performing at the club.
“But, by March, me and my podcast partner [Baus Rufo] thought of creating the viewing parties. And it kind of just became a thing that we do now almost every week,” they said.
With the viewing parties also came an opportunity that Myx Chanel is glad to have: getting to book fellow queens. “[One of the things] I contribute [to the drag scene] is that, now, I’m one of the few drag queens that has the ability to give other queens jobs.”
It’s no surprise that this is a very important opportunity to make use of. With drag queens still being extremely underpaid for the level of art and effort that they bring, the solidarity that they have — especially when it comes to booking gigs and preparing for shows — is vital. In fact, Myx Chanel said that this bond is what they like the most about Filipino drag.
“My favorite part [of the local drag scene] is how strong the culture of sisterhood is,” they shared. “I think the defining trait of Filipino drag, from what you’ve seen from [places] like O Bar, is big productions. Big group productions. I think that translates into the relationships of the queens.”
“Everyone’s looking out for each other,” they continued. “Since we’re all doing the same numbers together, we kind of want to make each other look good. There’s that culture that I don’t see, at least from what I’ve seen, from drag cultures in different countries.”
With Myx Chanel’s admiration of the amazing local drag scene and queens is their hopes for how the upcoming drag TV shows — Drag Race Philippines and Drag Den — can positively impact it.
“[I’m excited] to see people I love, people who are essentially family to me, compete and be given the attention that they deserve from all around the world,” they said. “There’s really a lot of talent in the Philippines. And I think that’s what these shows are finally going to better showcase on a global scale. ”
They are also specifically hoping for what happened in the USA after RuPaul’s Drag Race started gaining the level of fame it now has: the creation of more jobs for queer people and queer-owned businesses. “So many jobs have been created from a demand of drag. [From drag performers] to those working around the drag industry like stylists, designers, wig makers, makeup artists, and makeup brands,” they enumerated. “I hope that happens here in the Philippines — more jobs for queens and queer people.”
Myx Chanel also shared that with that excitement comes worries that the shows will create a hierarchy for the local scene. “Yes, [the queens casted on the show] will get paid more and probably get paid the wage they deserve. But what about the girls that don’t make it on the show? Are they still going to be paid crumbs like we are right now?”
They mentioned that, although drag is becoming more mainstream, queens in general are still very much unpaid and that they have friends who work in bars for as low as PHP 400 a night. “Hopefully, the good that comes with Drag Race Philippines and Drag Den spreads to all of the local queens and not just the girls that made it onto the show.”
This unfair compensation for their art makes the best way to support local drag even more obvious: tip your queens.
“Basically to support local queens, give them your money!” Myx Chanel exclaimed while talking about how people who will be discovering drag through the new shows can effectively uplift the drag community. “Kidding aside, the best way to support your local queens is to go out, come to their shows, and tip them. The standard for drag has become more expensive over time but the wage of queens has not been affected directly proportional to that.”
And it’s far from a big ask either. Myx Chanel pointed out that there’s so many opportunities to support queens. Drag doesn’t just stop at bars and clubs anymore. There are drag brunches, various events that queens host or perform at, and even remaining online shows.
When asked if they think this upcoming rise in popularity will bring more respect for queens and the political roots and nature of drag, Myx Chanel simply replied, “Definitely, and if that’s not the immediate response, there’s going to be queens that are going to fight for that. There’s a lot of strong advocates and queens aren’t afraid to get involved in political issues. So, if that’s not going to be the immediate response, sure as hell we’re gonna say something about it.”
You can bet that they mean it too. Drag artists like Myx Chanel have stayed true to their political roots by being some of the most outspoken members of the LGBTQ+ community, often using their art to make a statement.
Myx Chanel added that other than people’s lack of knowledge when it comes to the fact that drag is political, there is also the problem of people not acknowledging it as a legitimate art form”
“Queer people and drag queens are very much still just tolerated. Drag Queens, especially, are seen as a lower form of entertainer. They still see us as just like clowns. You’d think with how much work goes into the behind-the-scenes of drag, it’d be given an equal amount of respect. But it isn’t,” they continued. “So hopefully, with [local drag becoming more mainstream], people start to see more of the work that goes into drag.”
Myx Chanel reiterated that as long as you approach the scene with respect and always ask for consent and mind boundaries when interacting with queens, you’re more than welcome to be part of the local drag scene’s well-deserved growth in popularity and success.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CexlZlwPP2D/
“Just come out to see us!” they invited. “We really love it when there are more people exposed to the local scene because that just means like a bigger pool of people to share the love for drag, whether you’re a performer yourself or just someone who loves watching.”
“I’m just excited for how the coming shows will affect the local industry and the local perception,” they concluded. “I, of course, am hoping for a positive response, a positive welcoming by mainstream media, and just really more opportunities for queer people. More jobs for queer people. More safe spaces for queer people.”
