By the end of the fifth episode of “Drag Race Philippines,” we were in tears, just like the contestants and the judges. And how could we not be? The show ended with Lady Morgana, hilarious Davao drag queen and an absolute ball of sunshine, losing the lip sync against Brigiding. And in true Morgana fashion, it was the eliminated queen who tried to cheer her tearful sisters up with the funny line, “Hindi pa ako mamamatay, huy!”
Even in the sixth episode, the other queens continued the Lady Morgana lovefest. “The world loves Lady Morgana … Sa Maynila marami kang bahay,” said Brigiding, as she erased the farewell message Lady Morgana had scrawled on the werkroom mirror.
Eva Le Queen said, “She’s so genuine … her spirit is so pure. Davao should be very proud not just because of her drag but because of who she is.”
In this interview, Lady Morgana talks about her drag, her plans for the future and the elimination that made everyone cry.
Why did you join “Drag Race Philippines”?
I wanted to share to all the Filipinos na kung kaya ko as a probinsyano na sumali, kaya din ng mga drag queens from different regions na makipagsabayan sa mga Manileña at mapakita ang kanilang talento sa buong mundo.
What are your thoughts on the judges?
Nakakatakot. First time ko ma-critique on national TV. Pero off-cam ang bait nila sobra.
How does it feel to have people around the world embrace the show?
Shocked pa din ako na minahal ako ng buong mundo. Ang daming nag-message, ang daming nagpapasalamat, ang daming umiyak … Pinakita ko lang kung sino ako, ano ang istorya ko at na-touch sila, hindi lang mga Filipinos. I got a message from someone who said her life changed because of me. Kasi mahiyain siya, probinsyana din … na-boost daw yung confidence niya and na-inspire siya sa akin. I’m grateful. Nagpapasalamat ako nang sobra-sobra sa “Drag Race Philippines” na production, sa World of Wonder, na nabigyan ako ng chance ma-share ko yung story and journey ko.
What do you hope it would show the world about Filipino drag and Filipino drag queens?
Gusto ko na makilala lahat ng Filipino drag queens sa aming craft. Na akala niyo masaya lang sa stage pero after our performances, mahirap yung mga pinagdadaanan namin. Gusto ko ma-educate lahat ng tao na ganito yung buhay naming mga drag queen. Masaya ang buhay namin sa entablado pero makulay ang aming istorya.
You represent queens from the provinces, what would you like to tell them?
Don’t be afraid to join. Ipakita lahat, be honest, be humble and be grateful for the blessings that you receive kasi babalik yan ng bonggang-bongga sa’yo. And of course, always smile: see miracles in life every day.
You are one of the funniest queens this season—can you tell us more about your stand-up comedy?
I’ve been a drag queen for 17 years and a stand-up comedian for 11 years. Pinag-isa ko yun. Natural lang ako na komedyante.
Is that where “dancerous” came from?
Oo, mga “dancerous,” “couchness,” “are you all exciting?” Yung mga mali-mali kong English humugot lang ako doon ng katatawanan.
What’s your favorite catchphrase from the show?
Hello, dalaygon! Nag-start yan sa friend ko na si Frich Lopez, si Lady Ursula na drag sister ko sa Davao. Every time lumalabas siya sa stage sinasabi niya yun. Every time pumapasok ako sa werkroom, off-cam pa, sinasabi ko sa mga prod, “Good morning! Dalaygon!” para nae-energize sila. Hindi ko akalain na mae-embrace ng mga tao.
How did you feel about your elimination?
I wasn’t disappointed that that was all I was able to show on TV. I’m sad but very grateful ako na andyan ako sa “Drag Race Philippines,” hindi ko akalain. Nasa sulok lang ako dati with my barkada, usap-usapan lang namin yun na, “Kung may ‘Drag Race Philippines,’ sasali ako dyan.”
It was the most emotional elimination—everyone was crying, Karen gave you her earrings. How does that feel?
It’s a competition but everyone was sad to see you go. Naiyak na ako nung sa “Untucked” na. All of the staff, production, umiyak … Nag-sink in na wala na ako nung pumasok na ako sa van sa “Untucked.” Bihira ako umiyak pero that time as in hagulgol ako. Hindi ko mapigilan kasi napamahal na ako sa prod, sa crew, mga bouncers, producers, directors, hanggang maintenance, diyos ko day. Happy ako na nakilala ko sila. Sila yung parang second family ko.
It was so touching to hear the queens say that you have a lot of homes in Manila.
Totoo nga. Kasi nung dumating ako dito sa Manila, kaliwa’t kanan, “Dito ka Morgy.” “Dito ka Morgy, sama tayo.” I feel safe. Ang bait nila sobra. Lalo na yung mga naging ka-close ko, sila Prince, Corazon, Minty Fresh, Eva Le Queen, Marina Summers, Precious, halos lahat. And nagpasalamat ako kay Mama Xilhouete kasi isa na din akong part sa Nectar. Nabigyan niya ako ng big break. Happy ako sobra. Sobrang swerte ko na nakilala ko sila.
If you could do it again, what would you do differently?
Siguro yung episode 5. Dalawa yung pink outift ko eh. Yung isa pink na gown na off-shoulder na serpentina. Kung ‘yun ang ginamit ko tapos nag-Barbie Barbie ako baka tuloy pa yung Snatch Game ko. Kung naabutan ko yung Snatch Game ang i-portray ko ay si Ms. Cherie Gil. Pero yung option two ko is Christina Aguilera. Sayang nga eh.
What did the show teach you?
To become stronger and more creative and maging kuntento and be grateful always. Pagiging matapang din. Huwag kalimutan mag-pray, magpasalamat sa blessings.
Be yourself. Yan din ang advice ng mga mentors ko at ni Mama. Ang dami kong drag mom, maswerte ako … sila Leyjohn Perez, Mama Edwin Luis, Dr. Ramil Cubelo, Manay Kenita, they’re my jewels, my gems. If I didn’t listen to them, wala si Lady Morgana sa “Drag Race Philippines.” Pagbalik ko ng Davao iti-treat ko sila.
How has the show changed your life?
Ay, sobra. As in to the highest level. One time, kumain lang ako sa karinderya, may nagpa-picture, wala pa akong ligo. May nakakakilala na sa akin out of drag. Hindi na pwede lumabas na walang ligo, kailangan ready ka for picture. Next level na si Lady Morgana. Ang daming nagme-message. Hindi ako ako nauubusan ng Stories sa IG Stories, gusto ko sila i-add to story lahat pero sobrang dami. Ang daming projects, ang daming blessings. I’m so happy.
Where can people catch you and see more of your work?
Magtatagal ako dito sa Manila for big opportunities. Episode 7 nasa Bekenemen viewing party. They can find me sa Nectar, sa Butterboy, D’Intervention … Gusto ko malibot lahat ng bars. Sa Davao doon ako sa Joke Bak’s (Torres St.), pagkatapos sa bahay, natutulog po.
How else can people support you and your drag?
Find me on social media. I’m on Facebook (Lady Morgana Perez), Twitter, Instagram (@itsladymorgana), you can support me through Gcash, char (laughs). You can support me through my merch! I have the Hello, Dalaygon shirt and yung Morgana University shirt. Ganito kasi sa university namin.
Maglabas ka din ng cathedral please.
O di ba may Morgana University, Morgana Cathedral, Morgana Subdivision. May nag-suggest sa akin gusto nila ng Morgana confetti. Naghahanap ako ng supplier.
What are your plans post-‘Drag Race’?
Dito muna ako sa Manila to level up the Lady Morgana. And hopefully tuloy-tuloy yung career ko dito. Dream ko maging artista sa television, maging host, maging actor…
Isa ding dream ko gumawa ng libro. Nagkwento kami ni Direk Ice (Seguerra) and Ma’am Liza (Diño) and napag-usapan namin na gumawa ako ng Morganism, the dictionary of Lady Morgana. Magsusulat na ako nyan, ‘te. Soon, soon. Sana may mag-sponsor na publisher.
What do you love the most about being a drag queen?
Napapakita ko yung other side ko, yung femininity ko. ‘Pag nakasuot na ako ng wig, naka-nails na ako, nakakababae. Iba na din yung makeup ko dahil kay Mama Jiggly. Humingi ako ng tulong sa kanya to level up Lady Morgana’s mug. Namili kami doon sa SM Aura. Mas maalaga na ako sa face ko. Yun yung version 2.0 ni Lady Morgana. Na-embrace ko yung new era of drag.
Anything else you wantto tell our readers?
Sana ma-inspire kayo sa kwento ko. Please watch “Drag Race Philippines.” Hindi ko alam kung sinong mananalo but I’m rooting for all of them. I told them this, kung sino man manalo sa kanila, happy ako and deserve nila yun.
Watch “Drag Race Philippines” on Discovery Plus, HBO Go and Wow Presents Plus. New episodes drop on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. “Untucked” episodes are released Fridays, also at 7 p.m. Keep reading Super for more “Drag Race PH” interviews.
