Marilag Odtohan

From first strut to final showdown: Track record of 'Slaysian Royale' finalists

Stepping into the grand finale are Filipino drag queens Arizona Brandy, Brigiding, Viñas DeLuxe, and Canada's Suki Doll—each bringing their brand of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent.

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ABS-CBN News

<p>After weeks of competitive challenges, &quot;Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale&quot; has officially named the finalists of ist inaugural season during the &quot;High Time&quot; episode that aired last October 8.  </p><p>Stepping into the grand finale are Filipino drag queens Arizona Brandy, Brigiding, Viñas DeLuxe, and Canada&#x27;s Suki Doll — each bringing their own brand of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. From standout challenge wins to fierce lip-sync battles, they’ve shown exactly why they’ve earned their place in the race for the crown.</p><p>Ahead of the finale, here is a look back at the track record of the queens in the competition. </p><div> </div><div><strong>ARIZONA BRANDY </strong></div><p>Arizona started strong in the first two episodes — earning a high placement in the premiere and landing in the top two during the girl group challenge. However, her momentum was briefly shaken as she found herself in the bottom for both the “Holy Cacao” design and makeover challenges. Despite the setbacks, she scored her first RuBadge between those episodes for her portrayal of Chef Lee Cum Queen in the “Crazy Bitch Slaysians” Rusical.  </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D1306844624824124%26set%3Da.650104283831498%26type%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="671" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>She then continued to bounce back, earning a top three placement in the Lalaparuza Smackdown and eventually securing her second RuBadge with a standout performance in the “DragCon Slaysia” episode.  </p><p>Throughout the season, she carried the pressure of being compared to her fellow runners-up in the “Drag Race Philippines” franchise, but her journey set one thing straight: she brings a unique brand of charisma that sets her apart from the rest.  </p><p>When asked why she should become the first-ever Slaysian Royale winner, Arizona responded: <em></em>&quot;I’ve grown a lot. I’ve shown that growth all throughout my journey here. I’ve shown them versatility. I just don’t want to win just because I want to win. I want to win this so that I can inspire other people [and] other local Filipino drag queens like me.</p><p>&quot;And this time around, I’m not just going to represent my drag family. I want to represent the whole local Filipino drag queens and I hope when they watch this, they’ll be proud and they’ll be inspired because they have all inspired me all throughout my journey here.&quot; <em></em></p><div> </div><div><strong>BRIGIDING </strong></div><p>Brigiding has undeniably emerged as the frontrunner of the season. After a strong start with a high placement in the premiere, she went on an unstoppable streak — earning consecutive top placements in the Rusical, Makeover, Snatch Game, Lalaparuza Smackdown, and Rumix-MV challenges. With three RuBadges under her belt, Brigiding has consistently proven she’s a force to be reckoned with.  </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D1306927391482514%26set%3Da.650104283831498%26type%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="793" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>But what makes her journey even more powerful is the growth behind it. After finishing sixth in &quot;DRPH&quot; Season 1 with three bottom placements, Brigiding returned to the global stage with something to prove. What the audience witnessed this time was a completely transformed queen. Brigiding has truly lived up to her title as one of the brightest stars of the season.  </p><p>Here is how she responded when asked why she should be the first-ever Slaysian Royale winner: <em>&quot;I </em>think I should be the first Slaysian Royale [winner] because through this show, I believed in myself. I’ve learned to accept my flaws. I’ve learned to accept my journey. And I want the whole world to see themselves in me.</p><p>&quot;They may be losing, they may be heartbroken, but soon, if they believe in themselves and trust the process, everything will happen for a reason. And soon, they will be crowned and represent Slaysian Royale to the world.&quot; <em></em></p><div> </div><div><strong>SUKI DOLL </strong></div><p>Suki Doll advanced to the grand finale as the only remaining international queen in the competition. With one RuBadge earned for her performance in the &quot;DragCon Slaysia&quot; episode and a mini-challenge win in the fan-favorite reading challenge, she is giving the Filipino queens a run for their money.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D1307012528140667%26set%3Da.650104283831498%26type%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="544" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Throughout the season, Suki delivered good showings — landing in the top placement during the Makeover and Lip-sync Lalaparuza episodes, and placing high in the &quot;Holy Cacao&quot; design challenge. Though she found herself in the bottom just before the finale, she survived via a double shantay, securing her spot in the final showdown.</p><p>When asked why she should become the first-ever winner of Slaysian Royale, here is how she responded: <em></em>&quot;I believe to be the Slaysian Royale first winner, it has to be represented by somebody who has not only the virtues [and] the values to represent all of Asia, but also the talent and the roundness that is needed in the competition.</p><p>&quot;Obviously, in every step of the way, we have all had our impediments, and we have tripped along the way. But in any moments, I have been able to surpass it and also continue with it. I do represent myself as a winner of not only Slaysian Royale, but of the drag art that I perform for myself and also that I represent on this platform.&quot; <em></em></p><div> </div><div><strong>VIÑAS DELUXE </strong></div><p>Viñas launched a strong start in her comeback to the global stage, delivering consistent high placements across multiple episodes. She quickly established herself as a frontrunner after securing two consecutive RuBadges for the Girl Group and &quot;Holy Cacao&quot; episodes. Her momentum continued with high placements in the Rusical and Makeover episodes, followed by a top three finish in the Snatch Game.  </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D1307053874803199%26set%3Da.650104283831498%26type%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="812" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Though she faced stiffer competition toward the end of the season after landing in consecutive bottom placements, Viñas had already made a lasting impression.  </p><p>Here is how she responded when asked why she should be the first-ever winner of Slaysian Royale: <em></em>&quot;I should win the Slaysian Royale because I’m a great representation of being celebrated for their flaws, and I know I represent drag of the Philippines very, very well.  </p><p>&quot;I have charisma, I am very very unique, and I am talented. I sing, I dance, I act, and I did everything in this competition. And I’ve proven myself that I can be on the top. Thank you.&quot;</p><div> </div><p>After a season filled with fierce competition, show-stopping runways, and unforgettable lip-sync battles, the finalists are preparing to make their final case for the crown.</p><p>In the next episode, they will go head-to-head in the Slaysian &quot;Totally Impressive Talent Extravaganza&quot; for one last dislpay of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. </p><div>  </div><div><em>Catch the grand finale of &quot;Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale&quot; on Wednesday, October 15, on WOW Presents Plus. </em></div>

<p>After weeks of competitive challenges, "Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale" has officially named the finalists of its inaugural season during the "High Time" episode that aired last October 8.</p>

After weeks of competitive challenges, "Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale" has officially named the finalists of its inaugural season during the "High Time" episode that aired last October 8.