The Butterfly Effect: How Drag Queens in Naga Advocate for Change, One Flutter at a Time

Much like the flapping of a butterfly’s wings, believed to cause consequential events such as tempests and tornadoes—every tinge of rouge a drag queen puts on, every twirl in their twinkling dresses, and every tectonic strut they make on the stage is a step towards freedom, progress, and positive change. 

In the land renowned for pili nuts and sili, local drag queens in Naga City including Mx. Eure’Karma, Mx. Midnight, and Mx. Thokyo spread their wings and brave the winds in hopes of sprinkling socio-political awareness in their performances through the gender-bending art form.

For them, drag is more than just a show, it is an avenue to promote causes in their community and highlight their respective advocacy. As Anetra so fiercely lip-synced on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15’s Rusical, “Drag is a fight. Drag is a protest. Drag only reveals who you really are.”

Fourth-year Bachelor of Arts in Communication student and Entrepreneur James Loreto, also known as Mx. Eure’Karma, has always been a keen believer that drag is political.  

“[A] drag [artist] can express the views and opinions about a certain issue in the political aspect in the Philippines. May mga paraan ang mga drag queens para mai-relay sa audience ang mga perspektibo nila when it comes to political issues. Kaya talagang naniniwala ako na ang drag is political,” said 23-year-old James.

Fascinated by the copious amount of make-up products and paraphernalia their sisters accumulated throughout the years, James started experimenting with looks while watching RuPaul’s Drag Race during the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the same way that they “believe in the power of make-up,” Eure’Karma acknowledges the power of drag in making a difference in the community.

“Drag continuously makes a difference in the community by entertaining them, [and] also educating them [on] certain issues in the Philippines, in the world, in gender equality or what. And I do think that drag has this powerful tool that influences the hearts and minds of the people in the community,” shared Eure’Karma.

Aside from being a part-time drag performer, the drag queen is also an outstanding student leader who uses their platform to empower the youth. In 2021, another feather was added to James’ cap when they became the City Youth Administrator of Naga under its City Youth Officials program which broadened their network and scope of influence.

“Ini-incorporate ko din yun sa drag ko, yung student leadership,” shared James, citing that during their stint, they spearheaded various youth activities like dance, theater, visual art workshops, and basic self-defense training for women.

Just recently, James graduated with flying colors. They qualified for Cum Laude and received the Bro. Sergio Adriatico, S.J. Gold Medallion “Fifth Pillar” Award from the Ateneo de Naga University, a service award given to graduates in recognition of their commendable social and community involvement.

Joshua Andrey Doce’s young, introverted self never imagined that they would ever emerge out of the chrysalis as a drag queen performing through Mx. Midnight's persona in the near future. 

Although Joshua admits their love for public speaking, their diffidence hindered them from performing on stage, let alone before a big audience.

“Nutrition Month, may mga pasayaw-sayaw, naghahanap ng members to represent our section. Inaalok nila ako, pero I declined kasi I’m not that type of person na nagpe-perform in front of people,” shared Midnight.

Now a 21-year-old filmmaker and a Secondary Education student majoring in English, Doce, however, finds themself entertaining a large crowd and using their platform to advocate for plus-size people. Midnight shared that drag helped them to become stronger, to face their fears, and to find courage, not just in performing, but also in life.

“Ang drag, ang [itinuro] sakin, maging matapang. So, ‘yung insecurity ko sa body, parang nag-vanish siya and [ginamit] ko siya as my weapon to showcase who I really am as Midnight, na despite of my body['s] size, I can perform,” they added.

These served as their motivation to soar beyond the limitations imposed by society. Drawing inspiration from the metamorphosis they underwent, Joshua recently directed the film ‘I Am Mutya and I Thank You’, an official 2024 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival entry, wherein out of 245 applicants nationwide, Joshua’s film was hailed as one of its Top 25 Finalists.

With this, Joshua imparts a message to all dreaming kids, “Huwag silang matakot na ibahagi ang kanilang sarili. Makibahagi sa community at ilabas kung ano ang tunay na sila kasi do’n na rin naman nagsa-start ang lahat. Kung hindi ka takot sa mga bagay at sa mga nais mo, magiging malaya ka talaga na ibahagi ang iyong sarili sa lahat.”

Who would have imagined that a kaleidoscope of drag aficionados swarming a local café in Naga every Friday for viewing parties would bloom into a fruitful sisterhood of artists and enthusiasts alike? One of them is Leonardo Flores, now fondly known by their drag name, Thokyo.

The 23-year-old drag artist was just a show organizer back then until they decided that they wanted to see themself under the spotlight as the stage curtains opened this time around.

“Umabot na kami sa point na finale ng viewing party. Nag-ask sila kung sino pa daw gusto mag-perform, do’n ako nag decide na ‘ito talaga gusto ko ‘to, gusto ko i-try mag-perform’. Do’n ako nag-debut, nag-perform as a drag artist until now,” they shared.

Just like any other drag artist, Flores believes that drag can be a powerful instrument for change. Thus, they use their voice to advocate for something that is very close to their heart – women's rights.

Thokyo’s persona represents a strong and independent woman, for whom Flores took inspiration from their mother. They endeavor that this persona ignites women's spirits to fight for their rights and protection, empathizing with their female friends experiencing abuse and discrimination.

“Dapat bigyan din ng protection at karapatan ‘yung mga babae na ipaglaban ‘yung sarili nila,” Flores emphasized.

Thokyo’s genuine care for women has blessed Flores with genuine sisterhood in their local drag community, harkening back that it is something they would cherish forever.

“’Yung pinaka-big event talaga namin, before mag start yung show, ang saya namin habang nagme-make-up tapos nao-open up namin yung mga struggles before, ‘yung mga buhay noon. Sila ‘yung mga masasabi kong mache-cherish ko, ‘yung sisterhood ng mga queens,” Flores said.

Despite the varying hues each of their wings has, the collective call for the passage of the long overdue Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Bill unites Eure’Karma, Midnight, and Thokyo, together with their drag sisters, into a prismatic rabble.

“Marami pa ring danas yung mga kapwa kong LGBTQIA+ sa pang-aalipusta, sa pangdi-discriminate, sa pagda-downgrade sa aming kasarian. So, in the means of drag, dun na rin nae-express yung cause kung bakit kami lumalaban,” aired Midnight.

Although their rights are at the end of the rainbow still seemingly out of reach, the tailwinds have gotten stronger. In December 2022, the SOGIESC Equality Bill hurdled the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.

“Marami pang dapat pagdaanan para maging inclusive ang bansa natin. Siguro masasabi ko na inclusive siya kung yung sinisigaw ng LGBTQ community is nabibigyan ng halaga like itong SOGIE [bill],” said Thokyo.

Much like the gusts aiding wandering butterflies to survive, let us serve as the wind beneath the wings of our local drag queens as they add wonder to our weary world – one flutter at a time.