The people have spoken. “Drag Race Philippines” (“DRPH”) is in its BEST season yet.
Let the numbers set the record straight. It’s not every day that a batsh*t-crazy Snatch Game garners a glowing 9.9/10 rating on IMDB—the show’s highest-scoring episode to date—let alone one that rivals the most revered episodes of international “Drag Race” franchises. But lo and behold, our Season 3 queens have done it. From elevated graphics and sound production to the cast’s dynamic and contagious energy, this season has raised the bar for us as a prime example of drag excellence on our screens and social media timelines.
Don’t just take Stan Twitter’s word for it, though. With each week bringing us closer to the Philippines’ next drag superstar, this season is still making room for twists and turns that’ll leave us on the edge of our seats. For every live viewing party held at RAMPA Drag Club every Wednesday, hosted by Adonis Production House and D’Intervention, after seven spectacular episodes, one show-stopping non-elimination pilot, and a tear-jerking double shantay, here’s a look back on all the “pakak na pakak” moments of “DRPH” Season 3, leading up to the competition’s midway point.
She’s a Baddie
“DRPH’s” Season 3 pilot episode was destined for viral success. The queens served us buzz-worthy entrance lines and catchphrases (see: Maxie’s “Bomba na” and Versex’s “She’s doing the most. Love that for you. Not for me, though!”), a voguing mini challenge with the past two seasons’ casts, a viral video maxi challenge that’s making its rounds on TikTok, and a jaw-dropping lip sync for the win by Khianna and Zymba Ding.
The top two queens won the episode on their terms. Khianna earned the season’s first RuBadge, while Zymba Ding’s “She’s a Baddie” dance challenge blew up online. It even got BINI Sheena’s seal of approval as the P-pop idol and “DRPH” fan joined the hype on TikTok.
@houseofding Thats Iconic! #binisheena @Zymba.Ding #houseofding ♬ original sound - houseofding
This season has also left us awe-struck with Mama Pao’s runways, a definite step-up from Season 2. She’s consistently given us all hits and no misses on the main stage after debuting her opulent self-made gown and headpiece. Some standouts include her yellow suman-inspired serpentina gown in Episode 3, as well as her bedazzled modern terno and salakót ensemble in Episode 6, designed by 23-year-old Emanuel Riñoza.
Angel and Tita Baby’s “Nosi Balasi” Double Shantay
A double shantay as early as the second episode? Groundbreaking! But in the words of Season 1’s Turing, “Walang uuwi sa’ting dalawa. Double shantay ang goal,” and Angel and Tita Baby achieved it with an emotionally charged lip sync to the OPM classic “Nosi Balasi” by Sampaguita. In a “Sustaina-ball” design challenge that ended in tears on the main stage and judges’ panel, we witnessed Angel’s unparalleled fighting spirit and bond with her real-life sister and fellow Season 3 Ru-girl, Maxie. Mama Pao said it best: “we still need our babae tonight.” Sure enough, the show wouldn’t be the same without Angel, our bona fide narrator and confessional queen.
Back at “Untucked,” viewers and fans appointed our glamorous aswang Yudip*ta as the “Patron Saint of Comprehension” thanks to her impromptu lecture on how to fit the maxi challenge’s “sari-sari store couture” brief to a tee. Are we in the presence of our newest Department of Education secretary, too?
“Dapat Pakak,” Another Five-Star Original Song
Enough time has passed. Give “Dapat Pakak” her Grammy Award!
Episode 3 saw the queens teaming up to live out their girl group fantasies as they wrote and recorded their unique verses to the certified smash hit “Dapat Pakak.” Under the guidance of special guest judge Angeline Quinto, the queens gave us another iconic bop that we can’t get enough of—continuously hitting the mark after Season 1’s “Pop Off Ate” and Season 2’s “Boogsh!” In just one episode, we got 11 unforgettable verses from the Burakpak and Hard Pakakers, and the birth of a new meme courtesy of Angel’s hilarious imitations of Popstar Bench’s adlibs. Needless to say, we’re seated (or rather, “Nakaupo-ohhh!”) for the two girl groups’ “Dapat Pakak” world tour. Or better yet, their comeback stages!
Burakpak pops off in our first next-level Girl Group performance of DAPAT PAKAK! 🎶👠
— Drag Race Philippines (@dragraceph) August 22, 2024
New @dragraceph NOW STREAMING ➡️ https://t.co/tjWCVlaTCu
🇵🇭 @wowpresentsasia and @hboasia
🌎 @wowpresentsplus@KhiannaWithAK #Angel @zymba_ding @popstarbench @vversexx @maxieandreison pic.twitter.com/EYo7OWEYfE
Who could forget the episode that also gave us Cagayan de Oro-based queen Khianna’s “Per-Yeah!” runway look, which turned heads on the main stage? The category was carnival realness and Khianna didn’t disappoint, serving nothing short of “tents, tents, tents” across the board with another visionary piece in her repertoire.
🎪 TENts, TENts, TENts across the board! 🎪
— Khianna (@KhiannaWithAK) August 24, 2024
They said Per-Yeah not Per-No!? So I'm spinning around in this K-rousel inspired look 🎠✨️
📸 @biboysajulga
💻 @queenmarchella
🪡 @rtistique_ @mickscxz
Assisted by @lamisha.bay
💇🏻♀️ @emnmndg8#TeamKhianna #iKhiannic #DragRacePH pic.twitter.com/vElLrWBH3e
“Kuan of a Kind” hosting challenges with Melai Cantiveros-Francisco
Matching vibes with one of the country’s funniest personalities and pop culture icons isn’t an easy feat. But the top ten queens rose to the challenge in Episode 4 as they paired up to host their own talk shows with Momshie Melai as their special guest.
Each segment’s distinct premise had us all wanting a subscription to Pao Presents Plus: “Jojowain o Totropahin” with John Fedellaga and Popstar Bench; “Purse First,” Myx Chanel and Tita Baby’s bag raid show; “69 for the Win,” a priceless “Minute to Win It”-inspired game show with Angel and Khianna; “Toot (Nice Xa), Boot (It’s a No),” with fashion reviews by Yudip*ta and J Quinn; and the “Cooking Ina” mukbang special that earned Maxie her second RuBadge after her outstanding girl group verse.
It was a resounding success for Maxie and her co-host Zymba Ding. But Yudip*ta and J Quinn were even hotter topics that night as they starred in a lip sync that nobody saw coming, leaving viewers in shambles with the departure of our fashion and comprehension queen.
A record-breaking Snatch Game (Ka Na Ba?)
We’ve all seen it. We’ve all laughed like madmen over it. We’ve instilled the sheer chaos of it all in our heads. We knew exactly where we were when Season 3’s Snatch Game masterclass dropped.
Everyone brought their A-game in “DRPH’s” wildest and wittiest herstory-making Snatch Game, but Angel was a cut above the rest with her delightfully unhinged impersonation of Maria Clara. This episode had her name written all over it. We lived for her RuBadge-worthy quips and utterly divine aura on the runway, especially in front of her ultimate celebrity crush, Kyle Echarri. Imagine leading a remarkable Snatch Game, winning a RuBadge, and impressing Kyle Echarri in a single episode. Who else is doing it like Angel? Let our response be: dasurv!
There was never a dull moment in this season’s Snatch Game, thanks to the queens who worked together to solidify its iconic status. Tita Baby and Maxie gave us a comical glimpse into the corporate afterlife as Kamatayan and BOB—short for “Babae sa Balete Drive”—respectively. Khianna and John Fedellaga also lit up the studio as Baron Geisler and Angel Locsin.
this chaotic and unhinged moment gave them the title “BEST SNATCH GAME” in #DragRacePH herstory 💋 pic.twitter.com/zdlsB76mzu
— gio (@gioscache) September 4, 2024
Aawicked Kita!
Just in time for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s much-awaited “Wicked” musical movie this November, the top eight queens channeled their inner Ozians in their own rendition of the Broadway hit. In “Aawicked Kita! The Rusical,” Myx Chanel bounced back from three rough weeks in the competition as the good witch next door, Glenda. Zymba Ding stole the show, too, as the green-skinned, gravity-defying Elvie. Both queens redeemed themselves from their Snatch Game, showing the judges precisely how they’ve changed for good.
"Are people born Wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?"
— Myx "half split na may luhod" Chanel 🕺💫 (@myxchanel) September 16, 2024
Maximizing our gravity-defying joint slay @Zymba_Ding 💖💚
Photos by @kvngnzls24, Post-processing by @roiadriannn pic.twitter.com/QYXlzMhPEx
Super Queens Run in the Family
The top seven queens made their superhero fantasies come true with their loved ones in last week’s “Super Queens” makeover challenge. Angel and Maxie’s reunion with their parents touched our hearts as we learned how they grew up empowered and fabulously queer in a loving, accepting, and supportive environment. In an equally sentimental conversation, Khianna and her mother shed light on generational trauma and broken households. Their heart-to-heart talk raised hope for Khianna’s and her family’s dreams despite not being together in the long run.
We also met Popstar Bench, Tita Baby, and Zymba Ding’s superheroes: Bryan, Popstar Bench’s partner; Josen, Tita Baby’s partner; and Thelma, Zymba Ding’s mother, whom each of the three queens endearingly talked about in previous episodes.
On the runway, Myx Chanel and their close friend Mykhael transformed into Cheesy and Ringo, a campy and colorful take on the nostalgic Filipino cheese ring snack. Zymba Ding and her mother saved the world in style as the wind beneath each other’s wings. Maxie’s intergalactic makeover with her father secured her third RuBadge. Our super queens’ final showdown favored Khianna, who bested Popstar Bench in an action-packed lip sync.
Six queens remain: Angel, Khianna, Maxie, Myx Chanel, Tita Baby, and Zymba Ding. This week’s Lip Sync Lalaparuza Smackdown—another first in “Drag Race Philippines” herstory—promises game-changing performances and never-before-seen twists. As we anticipate the queens going head-to-head on the main stage, there’s only one thing left to say: Puksaan na!
Who are your picks for the “DRPH” Season 3 finale? Seven episodes later, it’s still anyone’s game. The show gets better every week, and it’s safe to say that next season’s queens have huge shoes to fill.
For more drag related contents, check out #DragZeen. You can also check our Drag Cover issue published here.