Filipina drag queens: From comedy bars to the mainstream

Teka Teka

In this episode of Thought Bubbles, we dive deep into the vibrant and evolving world of drag culture in the Philippines. With special guest Jon Galvez—a drag enthusiast, filmmaker, and director of ‘Lip Sync Assassin’—we explore how drag has grown from comedy bars and barangay pageants into a powerful platform for Filipino queer storytelling, political expression, and mainstream entertainment.

From the impact of shows like Drag Race Philippines and Drag Den, to iconic films that paved the way for local drag visibility, this episode breaks down the rich history, rising acceptance, and cultural influence of Filipino drag artists. We also talk about the challenges drag queens still face in a predominantly Christian country, including the controversial case of Pura Luka Vega.

This episode rerun is produced by Bubbles Magpayo and engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

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