New opportunities and representation: Eva Le Queen's journey to 'Drag Race: Global All Stars'

Eva Le Queen. Josiah Antonio, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Given a chance to represent the Philippines on the global stage, Filipina drag queen Eva Le Queen said yes, with no hesitation, to compete in "RuPaul's Drag Race: Global All Stars" starting this August.

"Global All Stars" is a new spin-off series of the hit reality competition series "RuPaul's Drag Race" where 12 queens from various franchises will compete for the crown, Olympics style.

Coming to the competition, Eva is the only Asian queen among the contestants carrying more than just the 100 million Filipinos but the whole of the continent in her shoulders.

"People from other parts of the world need to know that there is excellence from this side of the world. And also, it can be shared and enjoyed by them," Eva told ABS-CBN News in an interview.

Showcasing her "evolution like a Pokemon," Eva is determined to show to the world how drag in Asia can slay the competition.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Eva has been doing drag in Singapore while juggling her studies and corporate life. "I just used to do it for fun. So, hindi talaga siya 'yung trabaho ko before."

"Actually, medyo pang-MMK 'tong kwento na 'to. I've been working, studying, and living in Singapore for eight years. And I just really wanted to go back. For OFWs talaga, it's a big world out there," the drag queen said.

"But for me, personally, I really think that there's no place like home. So, to make the long story short, umuwi lang talaga ako kasi I just feel na my destiny is somewhere here in the Philippines. So, umuwi na ako," she added.

"And then, at that time, I had no job, know nothing at all. The only thing I have are my makeup and my wigs. So, I was like, okay, let's try doing drag."

Wanting to take a break from the corporate world, Eva took a gamble a started doing drag full-time in the Philippines.

For Eva, her destiny was meant to be back home and then came "Drag Race Philippines" and there was no turning back.

"Anyway, for me, the corporate world will always be there. I already have the skill sets, maganda na 'yung resume ko. Anytime I wanted to go back to the corporate world, andiyan na 'yan but drag, let's give it a shot. And then, one thing led to another," Eva said.

"I just wanted to try it and let's see. And then, pandemic happened. And then, before I went back to the corporate world, it was 2021 when RuPaul announced 'Drag Race Philippines.' Mula roon, nagtuloy-tuloy na 'yung drag career, doing it full time," she added.

Entering the competition, Eva was not expecting anything. Speaking for the cast, they felt that it was a big gig but what they agreed on collectively was to give their best and show what Filipino drag has to offer.

"For us kasi, when we did 'Drag Race Philippines' season 1, it was a pioneer season. So, walang baseline eh. In fact, we didn't even know that it will blow up as huge as it is now. We didn't know na Filipinos will embrace drag and 'Drag Race' in general," Eva said.

"So, when we did that, when we were filming 'Drag Race Philippines,' para kaming mga drag queens feeling namin isang malaking raket lang 'to eh. 

"Let's just give them what Filipino drag is about. Let's just show them drag excellence. We just really wanted to give it our best shot. So, no expectations. None at all," she added.

Ending her journey in the Top 4, Eva was proud of how the reality competition had an impact on the drag community through various opportunities.

"So, even if I didn't have my badge, okay lang sa 'kin, kasi ang importante sa 'kin, this was like a consensus with all the cast, kailangan mapakita natin na ang Filipino talent, magaling," Eva said.

"We didn't really care; in fact, we always cheer for anyone who's getting a badge. And it's a very special, very authentic, very sisterly batch, 'yung season namin sa 'Drag Race Philippines.' So, after that, after 'Drag Race Philippines,' lots of things and opportunities have opened up, not just for myself, but also for other drag queens as well," she added.

BECOMING MOTHER

With the popularity of the drag scene since the show aired, Eva saw how the art form is now recognized from "all walks of life."

"It's a new period, a new era for drag queens to do drag here in the Philippines. Kasi dati you have to wait until 1 a.m. kung hindi ka pupunta sa mga nightclubs, hindi ka makakakita ng drag queens," Eva said.

"People don't even know what drag is about. And 'pag tinanong mo drag queen, they're like, ano 'yun? But now, minsan kahit out of drag 'pag nag-go-grocery ako, kahit naka-mask, nagpapa-picture pa rin sa 'kin 'yung mga tao, and people now know of drag," she added.

"They now finally understand that it is an art form. It's a form of entertainment that really appeals to everyone from all walks of life."

Eva saw the need to give guidance to drag artists and be the bridge to companies.

"Suddenly, after 'Drag Race Philippines,' lahat gusto may drag. Anyone wants to have a piece of drag. And that's when I realized, you know what, I have the business acumen from my previous job, my previous experience. To really lay down the foundation and professionalize the art of drag," Eva said.

"Ako kasi, dati akong HR and forte ay contracts and policies. So, I think what we want to do right now is to be able to provide for these artists, these talented, beautiful drag queens, to be able to do drag and feel compensated. And have that basic decency as a professional for what they do," she added.

"Dapat nakasulat 'yan sa pen and paper. Dapat mabayaran ka nang tama. Dapat 'yung working conditions mo, okay. Sana mayroon kang insurance if you're gonna do stunts. Things like these. And that's where I step in, in the scene."

Being a "mother," she ensures that the drag artists will be compensated well while giving their clients what they paid for.

"That's why they call me mother. Because my means to take care of the drag scene is to use my experience to be able to provide a platform wherein may mga clients, may mga drag queens. I am the merging point of them," the drag queen said.

"I provide the paperwork. Ito drag queen A, drag queen B, drag queen C, Ito 'yung rates niya. Ito 'yung oras ng trabaho. Dapat by this time, bayad na siya. 'Yung lang. It's really just to professionalize the art of drag," she added.

"And essentially, for me, it goes hand in hand. Maraming kliyente, ma-sa-satisfy sila sa work, they will get more drag queens. For the drag queens, they will be able to choose drag as a viable and sustainable career option."

COMPETITION MODE ON 

When the phone rang to compete for "Global All Stars," Eva recalled how she immediately said yes and went on competition mode.

"Aba bakit hindi? Makakahindi ka ba? When you receive a call, when Mama calls, you answer and I think, ano talaga siya, it's for us, 'Drag Race Philippines,' once na lumabas ka na sa season mo, 'yun na 'yung next step. The next step is to take it to the next level," the drag queen said.

"You have to go international. Because ako, since I became a Ru girl, salamat kay Lord and salamat sa lahat ng opportunities, I was able to travel. And I was able to see different kinds of drag shows in different parts of the world," she added.

Believing on how talented Filipinos are, Eva was determined be that representation on the global stage.

"Sa tuwing nanonood ako, lagi kong nasasabi, alam mo 'pag Filipino drag queen 'yan, lalamunin nila 'to eh, sobrang galing natin, sobrang talented, sobrang talino, sobrang gaganda, na alam mo kakainin natin nang buhay 'tong mga 'to," Eva said.

"And it's not to diminish these beautiful artists from other parts of the world. It's just that when you are aware na ang difference lang nila sa atin is a matter of global exposure and visibility, how can you not take the chance?" she added.

"So when I received that call, they asked me, Are you ready to compete? Are you still willing to compete? It's like, yes. Yes. Yes. Tsaka ko na iisipin kung kaya ko o hindi pero at at very moment, I just know that no is not even an option."

This time around, Eva assembled a team of local designers and stylists to help conceptualize her runway package.

"When I'm now preparing for 'Global All Stars,' and because people already know of 'Drag Race,' what I did is, like parang sabi ko, parang 'di na uubra 'yung ako na lang, so I assembled a team," Eva said.

"So, I had some of the best people to work with me here in this 'Global All Stars.' So we had a styling team. We reached out to some of the best designers in the Philippines, like Leo Almodal, Aaron Montoya, and all these people," she added.

Eva also took voice, dance, sewing and improv sessions to be ready for any challenge given to them in the competition.

"I did voice lessons with Teacher Sweet of The Company. I did dance lessons with Joe Abuda. It's like I really, the difference this time is like, dati kasi wala akong masyadong resources, now I have all the resources and I made sure that I leave no stones unturned. Hindi ako marunong mag-split, aaralin ko, paano ba 'yan?" Eva said.

"And I did my voice lessons. I did my sewing lessons with Job Dacon, nag-aral akong manahi. All the skill sets. I did my improv. We have this improv team that we always do this workshop every week. All the assets, all the skill sets that I need to bring me all the way up there, dinala namin lahat 'yan," she added.

Describing her new-found strength like a Pokemon, Eva said that what she's about to show on the competition is a culmination of talents for different parts of the Philippines.

"I would describe it as para siyang Pokemon in its highest evolution. Like, just when you thought it wouldn't get any better, parang mayroon pa pala. Like, imagine, because drag is an art form, and art, like, just with any artistry, it can come in different colors, different strokes, different canvas," Eva said.

"But this time, imagine how far you'll go if you have all these amazing people backing you up. And para siyang potluck ng all the brilliance and genius of all these amazing Filipinos that believe in you. I was just a vessel," she added.

"But the Eva that came to 'Global All Stars' was a compilation of all these amazing people behind her. Ano siya, ultimate form of Eva. And I'm just so excited for the Philippines and the world to see it."

Despite being the only Asian representation on the show, there was no pressure for Eva to compete and always reminded herself that she is representing herself first.

"Before kasi I take on all these things like, oh, you're the only Asian, when I came into that competition, first and foremost, I came there to represent Eva Le Queen," the drag queen said.

"I need to be able to hold on to that very firmly na bago mo isipin how you represent the Philippines, how you represent Asia, or how you represent anything bigger, you have to represent yourself first," she added.

"You have to be there for yourself. Yes, I took that. I will always be Asian. I will always be Filipino. Pero the Eva Le Queen, by the end of the day, si Eva Le Queen naman talaga 'yung lalaban doon eh, so, it didn't pressure me that much."

With the show airing, Eva is overwhelmed with the support of the Filipino audience feeling like she's the Manny Pacquiao of drag.

"But, I think it's, overwhelming siya. Sobrang overwhelming nung support, and 'yung love na nararamdaman mo, there'll be people rooting for you. But there's also this immense, immense pressure that came with it," the drag queen said.

"You know, we all know that Marina Summers really slayed it, in 'UK vs the World.' And then, here I come, at 'Global All Stars,' the bar is just set really, really high. But, by the end of the day, I had to like really, take a step back, and remind myself, of why I do what I do," she added.

"For me, gusto kong makita ni RuPaul yun eh. Yeah, I want RuPaul to see, look at me in the eye, and look at me, and for her to realize that, you've changed lives, because of 'Drag Race Philippines,' on that side of the world. And this is, ito na siya."

Eva credited the local fans for having a Filipino representative on the show possible.

"Mind you, not all franchises, were invited. There were some countries, that did not have a spot, at 'Global All Stars.' But they took chance, in the Philippines," the drag queen said.

"Why? Because you guys, made it possible for us. You know, all the support, whatever we have right now, salamat sa mga fans, and supporters, ng drag, in general. Now that we're gonna, be going, up against, the best of the world, 12 queens, most of them, are finalists, from their own countries," she added.

"Hindi sila feel, hindi sila puchu-puchu. They really came there, to fight, and to be, alongside the best of the world is such an honor. Could have been anyone, but I am here. And, and, that's me. Representing Philippines, that amazing, that roster."

With her appearance on the show, Eva hopes that Filipino queers would be inspired to dream higher and fight for their rights.

"My hope for, the drag community, muna, and my appearance, at 'Global All Stars,' is, for, for queens, to aspire for more. You know, minsan kasi, okay na tayo eh. Yes. Para, okay na ako, sa ganitong sahod, okay na ako, sa ganitong racket, okay na ako, sa ganito. For me, that's the same thing," Eva said.

"You know, I told, Plastique Tiara, I told, Pangina Heels, I told Marina, about these things, that, these, these Asian queens, that came before me, you guys, broke glass ceilings, for us. And, it allowed me, to dream bigger, and go further, because you guys, made it possible," she added.

"And, I hope, I inspire that, sa mga sisters ko din. Now for the LGBTQ community, pretty much the same din. It's, from where I was, to where I am right now, alam n'yo, all I, I am a person, who I could say that, I have lived my life, to the fullest. And I think, that's my purpose in life. Sabi ko nga, 'find a purpose in your heart, and nothing could stop you.' Like, I was able to live my life, to the fullest."

Eva guarantees viewers that her performance on the show will make, not just the Philippines but the Asian community proud.

"I think the importance of it is because people from other parts of the world need to know that there is excellence from this side of the world. And also, it can be shared and enjoyed by them," the drag queen said.

"You know, we live in a world where, let's be honest, people discriminate each other because of races, or because of anything, because of your skin color, because of the way you speak, because of your passport, because of this and that. So it matters for me na people from other parts of the world get to enjoy our drag," she added.

"With all my accomplishments in 'Global All Stars,' Philippines and Asia will always be proud of me. But I didn't let that get into my head, because otherwise it will derail me from my focus. Si Eva 'yung nandito, be present and just do what you got to do."