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Watch Andrea’s transformation as Valentine Royale, plus Q and A about all things drag

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Liezel dela Cruz

As Andrea Brillantes takes on her drag queen persona, Valentine Royale, she makes sure to live up to her name by looking every inch a queen. Watch the video and be amazed by her transformation, and her statements that reflect her respect and love for the art of drag and the LGBTQIA community.While her makeup artist works on her beauty look, Andrea took on a short Q&amp;A session about all things drag. She talked about her current series “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/andrea-slays-as-a-drag-queen-in-drag-you-and-me-with-jc-and-christian-19801">Drag You And Me</a>,” where she plays Betty, a hardworking, smart, and dutiful daughter who conquered the world of drag so she could raise funds to take their family business back. Betty and her drag persona Valentine Royale both have big hearts and they condemn liars and homophobics. Their difference is that Valentine Royale is more confident and fierce.We learned that the name “Valentine Royale” was Andrea’s idea when she randomly thought of a good name to give her future daughter, “Favorite ko kasi ang Valentine’s Day. Tapos gusto ko may pagka-royalty ang pangalan ng magiging anak ko.”Growing up in showbiz, Andrea was immersed young in the LGBTQIA community. She’s worked with gay people since she was three and even learned gay lingo early. Though she’s never been to a drag bar before, she loves watching drag competition series.Her first encounter with professional drag queens was when the Divine Divas performed at Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal’s birthday party. Andrea enjoyed the performance and gamely joined the Divine Divas when asked to come onstage. She loved every minute of the experience, hence thrilled when offered to star in “Drag You And Me.”Besides her fascination with drag as a form of artistic expression and performance, Andrea accepted the project so she could influence her fellow Gen Zs to be more supportive of the community. She also hopes the series will impart inspiration and nerve to young people who are scared to come out. “Sana sa series na ito, matulungan talaga namin ang community na mas matanggap ng lahat ng tao,” she said.“I think drag is for everyone and it should be for everyone. Art din talaga ang drag, eh. At saka alam ko meron ng ibang mga drag race sa ibang bansa na meron ng babaeng lumalaban din,” she replied when asked if drag is for all. “Kung tingin mo kaya mo, go. At saka wala naman masama,” she believes that the community is all for inclusivity.Her new role has raised her admiration for professional drag performers. “Mas tumaas ‘yung respeto ko sa kanila. Kasi, ako, nagagawa ko lang ‘to nang ilang hours sa isang araw. Sila, ito talaga ‘yung buong life nila. Iba talaga kapag na-experience mo siya first-hand, mahirap talaga.”Behind the vibrant, whimsical act lie many challenges, though. Andrea, doing drag for the first time, described the act as energy-consuming. “Nakakapagod siya, ‘yung mga lip sync. Tapos bida-bida kasi ako, so nag-split pa ako. Nasugatan pa yung tuhod ko, dumugo pa siya sa stockings ko.”“Nakakakaba din siya kasi first time kong mag-perform as drag queen. Kasama ko pa mga professional, mga nanalo na sa contests kung saan-saan. Feeling ko super baby ako. ‘Yung first time ko mag-artista noon, ganu’n ‘yung pakiramdam,” she shared, refreshing her memories of her first drag performance for the series. She remembers feeling scared while her co-star Precious Paula Nicole looked calm throughout their on-screen lip sync battle.Albeit exhausting and nerve-wracking, doing drag is the most exciting part about her new role. “Ang saya magpasaya ng iba. Nu’ng nag-lip sync ako tapos ang daming nagche-cheer, ang daming naaaliw, ang saya sa pakiramdam.”Like a true drag queen, her makeup is done painstakingly. Though, as someone who loves experimenting with makeup since she was three, influenced by her sister, Andrea enjoys every bit of her makeup transformation. “Isa sa unang memory ko sa life ko is makeup. Kaya ‘yun din ang ginawa kong business.”Drag makeup sparks confidence, she believes. “Mas matapang ako. Mas maganda ako. I feel so perfect and loved. Love na love ko self ko pag naka-drag ako. parang I can do anything. Invincible ako. Binibigyan ka niya ng power, ng confidence.”Andrea is glad to have gay friends from her glam team. They help her put together her looks and even share their input about her acts. “Kapag mas maraming opinion, doon ko mas nahahanap ang sarili ko na ito ang gusto kong gawin. Ito ‘yung gusto kong sundan. Kahit magbabaklaan kami, pinagsasabihan pa rin nila ako sa kung anong mas nakakabuti.”She has also learned a lot about performing from her icon, Beyoncé. “Kasi lagi akong pagod dati, ang gagawin na Mama, bibili siya ng mga CD ng mga concerts ni Beyonce.” She remembers crying while listening to Beyoncé’s “I Was Here” at three years old. “Imagine, three years old ako tapos iniiyakan ko ‘yun. Ang arte-arte ko. Nanay ko si Beyonce. She is my real mom.”Asked what makes her ‘bakla,’ Andrea admitted that she could be very generous. She gushed, “Bakla ako mag-regalo!” She gives expensive gifts like refrigerator and cabinet – “kabuhayan showcase” as she puts it.To cap ito off, she thanked the gay community for their love and support, “Thank you sa love na natatanggap ko sa community na ito, for accepting me. Sa mga nagtatanggol din sa akin na gays out there, thank you so much. Maraming salamat sa inyo and I love you all so much!”“Gusto kong magpasalamat dahil napakalaki ng contribution ng community na ‘to sa aking life. Thank you din sa continuous fight nila for equality. Sana huwag kayong tumigil. Hindi tayo titigil talaga,” she promised. “Sana hindi magbago ang community na ito dahil ang community na ito is a safe space for everyone – to feel free, to express themselves, and to love.”Catch “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/andrea-slays-as-a-drag-queen-in-drag-you-and-me-with-jc-and-christian-19801">Drag You And Me</a>,” which also stars Christian Bables and JC Alcantara and streaming every Friday at 8 pm on <a href="https://iwanttfc.com">iWantTFC</a>.