The Drag Den alumna and controversial queen donned her big red wig and her best dragged-up mug for a one-night-only performance at the queer party Church
Pura Luka Vega as Chappell Roan is bound to happen and it did happen last Sunday at queer party Church’s anniversary at Apotheka in Poblacion, Makati. For one, the two artists share a conflicted relationship with religion: Pura was charged with indecency and immorality for her drag performance of the Catholic church song “Ama Namin” while Chappell is famously raised a “God girl” in a conservative Christian church, which she eventually broke free from through her music.
READ: 5 Chappell Roan songs to get into her campy, queer, glittery, pink pony world
The ““Drag Den” alumna is one of four drag performers who graced the Church anniversary party, along with “Drag Race Philippines Season 1” contestant Brigiding, Pura’s fellow “Drag Den” alumna Odasha Flop aka O-A, and drag artist Eliza.
The party started with successive DJ sets by Marky, Church organizer Xtina Superstar, Saint Guel, and Jer Dee, who each brought their signature beats to Apotheka’s high-ceilinged space. This was followed by a powerful performance by Eliza, who lip-synched to Sia’s “Alive” while paying an emphatic tribute to trans women, who suffered from discriminatory attacks against the community—most, costing their lives—and the languishing of the SOGIE Bill in Congress. Eliza’s performance ended in a fiery finale where she was surrounded by fire.
Today x Future and Futur:st co-founder Samantha Nicole’s intrepid set soon followed to a roaring crowd past 1 a.m.
Brigiding came out in a ruffle-trimmed sheer cape and a big blonde wig, carrying a disco ball bag as she lip-synched to Diana Ross’ “Aint No Mountain High Enough.” She soon shed said cape in favor of a sparkly dancing dress as the song progressed on the dance floor.
O-A performed to Silk City and Dua Lipa’s “Electricity” (ft. Diplo and Mark Ronson) in a sexy superhero-esque number. Later in the song, she went into a comedic lip-sync about Meralco consumer rights, which had the crowd roaring in laughter.
@preenph Drag artist #PuraLukaVega performs #ChappellRoan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” at queer party Church’s anniversary at Apotheka in Poblacion, Makati #preenph #dragph #dragqueen #drag #lgbt #queer ♬ original sound – Preen.ph
Pura’s much-awaited drag performance came a little past 2 a.m. Clad in a knee-length tiered plum dress and red patent boots, she launched into a spirited lip-sync of Chappell Roan’s latest single “Good Luck, Babe!” before playfully tossing a globe into the audience downstairs. Clearly, she’s taken inspiration from the artist’s distinctive makeup look, while also wearing a tiara reminiscent of Chappell’s “Tiny Desk” performance back in March.
After a thunderous applause to Pura’s inspired performance, Church organizer Paulo Castro invited the drag artist to a speech, where she uttered Claudine Barretto’s now-famous words: “*millennial pause* Thank you so much!”
Samantha Nicole then reclaimed the floor to send the Church-goers to a frenetic daze as the clock neared witching hour.
Photos by Christian San Jose
