The winner of Drag Race Philippines Season 3 has been rightfully crowned. Twenty-six-year-old Manileno drag artist Maxie, who was considered a frontrunner before even the competition began, emerged victorious and bested 11 talented drag queens in the third installment of the local franchise of American reality drag contest and TV series RuPaul’s Drag Race.
In the finale, the eliminated queens – Versex, J.Quinn, Yudip*ta, John Fedellaga, Popstar Bench, Myx Chanel, and Zymba Ding – returned to the runway to showcase their final runway looks. Mama Pao also stunned everyone with her stellar look, which was a complete transformation from her season 2 runway looks.
The Miss Congeniality award, previously held by Season 2’s Miss Congeniality Hana Beshie, was passed on to Versex before the top 4 contestants – Maxie, Khianna, Angel, and Tita Baby – had their “puksaan” moment.
The Lip Sync Battles, unlike those in the first season, now feature every queen with their own production number, showcasing the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent.
Top 2 finalists of the season Maxie & Khianna competed for the crown and performed the iconic song Lipad ng Pangarap.
Now hailed as the New Drag Race Superstar, Maxie will receive 1 year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics and a cash prize of 1 million pesos.
Bursting with emotions and tears of joy, Maxie mentions that this win is very special to her. “Simula bata pa lang ako lumalaban na ako sa amateur contest, sumali ako sa Wiltime Bigtime— nag-viral. Sumali ako sa Talentadong Pinoy, hindi ako pinalad. Nag-audition ako sa PGT, hindi rin ako pinalad. Sumali ako sa Queen of the Universe, hindi rin ako pinalad. Pero alam ni God ang perfect timing.”
In her winning speech, Maxie dedicated her win to everyone special to him. “I’m dedicating this win to all the generations na gusto maging drag queen. Siyempre ‘yung pera para sa pamilya ko, para magkaroon kami ng magandang buhay at sa mga sisters ko sa Drag Race Philippines Season 3– kung hindi niyo ginalingan, hindi tayo magiging best season”.
Best Season Yet
Fans and critics are praising the latest season, calling it the best in the international franchise to date. The queens delivered iconic lines, such as Versex’s “love that for you, not for me though,” and Angel’s Maria Clara snatch game character. The judging panel was fair and provided insightful feedback from Jon Santos and Kaladkaren, ensuring that the right queens were sent home. Mama Pao also received acknowledgment for her improved runway package after a lackluster performance in the previous episode. For more on why we believe Drag Race Philippines S3 is top-tier entertainment, you can read our take here.
The third seasons of Drag Race franchises have a reputation for receiving mixed reviews, leading to a belief in a curse associated with the third season. However, Drag Race Philippines Season 3 has defied this curse. It achieved an impressive 9.7 IMDb score, the highest among the Philippine franchise. It also holds the top 6 positions for the top-rated IMDB reviews. The queens on the show made the season the best, and it was a fitting way to crown the most deserving winner of the season.
The future of Pinoy Drag is filled with endless possibilities. As drag continues to evolve and also make its mark in the digital realm, it’s connecting with fans in more diverse and meaningful ways. Talent now extends beyond just polished performances; raw and authentic acts are equally cherished. However, as the competition grows, it’s those who stay true to themselves that often come out on top. Maxie, who triumphed over the powerful queens of season 3, has faced her own set of challenges, but her authenticity has always shone through. The future of drag can draw inspiration from her, understanding that no matter how skilled one is, nothing can surpass genuine passion and heart.
