The ferocious Zymba Ding on beauty, fashion, and performance
Like a strong gust of wind that altered the mood of Nectar Nightclub right away, drag ferocity arrived simultaneously with the familiar beat of the song “Fashionista” and Zymba Ding’s commanding presence. Great performers have fantastic control of music, movement, and space that draw their audience into their act, ensuring they don’t miss a thing. Zymba Ding engulfed the entire club with her power. Her streak of victories in competitions like Dragdagulan, Ikaw Nemen, and, most recently, Bunganga Battle Royale speaks volumes about her talent.
Having just entered the drag scene as Brigiding’s assistant during the Drag Race Philippines Season 1 whirlwind last year, her eyes burn with passion. Just breaking into the scene with this kind of presentation makes us want to imagine what she might achieve after another year.
September’s ONE TO WATCH is the fierce, the fearless, and ferocious Zymba Ding!
Beauty
Can you tell us how you do your makeup?
“Super oily ko [and] super pawisin, so [a] bad base will lead you to bad makeup after. So, ang pinaka-goal ko is para compact, super pressed lahat ng powder, [and] super matte siya. As much as possible, hindi na ko nagha-highlight kasi it’s going to make me look oily. I start with [the] base, and then eyes.”
What are some of your favorite beauty products or techniques?
“Contouring. Kasi sabi nila sa’kin, well, my features [daw] are very good. My facial structure [is] mapanga, mabuto, ganiyan.”
Supermodel!
“Yes, it’s giving very supermodel!”
Beauty product that Zymba Ding can’t live without?
“Black eyeliner pencil kasi it could be [as an] eyeliner, [for the] under eyes, pang-kilay, and most especially, lip liner. Kasi bukod sa facial structure ko, my lips are my asset! I like them pouty and big.”
Fashion
Fashion accessory that completes the Zymba Ding signature look?
“To be honest, hindi ako accessory person.”
Favorite style of wig?
“As much as possible, I want it na naka-updo. Kitang-kita ‘yung face ko, features ko, [at] para makapag-lip sync nang maayos. Sabi ni Mama Brigs, mag-try daw ako ng mga straight hair. For me, hindi siya nakaka-exaggerated femininity. I want it naka-set. Though wala pa akong budget, pero I’m gonna get there.”
How do you create your drag outfits?
“Sabi ko dati, ‘pag naging drag queen ako, ako magtatahi lahat ng [outfits] ko. Hindi naman nangyari ngayon. I mean, nakakagawa ako ng pieces like bra and panty—madadaling patterns—pero ‘yungbongga, wala pa ako sa gano’n. Walang time din mag-aral ng patterns [and] basic corset. Pero if I get the time, aaralin ko talaga siya, so, lahat ng patatahi ko, I’d do it myself. Another factor pa ‘yun to be a good artist.”
Tell us something about why these are your best-loved costumes.
“It’s giving fashion! Nakita ko siya sa Pinterest. Ang in-add ko talaga du’n ‘yung tela and print. May binawas lang akong skirt na super fitted.”
“Hindi ako ma-gown mostly. [This] look’s from Mama Brigs, binigay niya sa’kin. Red is my favorite color. It’s elegant. It gives me more fantasy. It’s giving Catriona.”
“I created [this] Jibaro-inspired look for the BBR OPM category. It’s Jibaro meets “Gento”—it’s me! ‘Yung explanation ko that time with the other song, “Kalipay,” was being happy with the golden me, gano’n! [The look] was suggested by my family, si Mama Brigs and Felicia, and I’m happy na nagawa ko siya by myself. ‘Yung pinaka-base nito and the corset, pinatahi ko sa mananahi ni Mama Brigs, pero lahat ng accessories na nakalagay diyan, binili ko ‘yan sa Divisoria and kung ano ‘yung mangyari, nangyari. Ang ganda ng outcome!”
Performance aka the Zymba Ding Experience
How do you conceptualize a performance? Talk about the creative process, like how you choose the song, fashion, and face.
“[I realized] parang hindi ako nagse-settle for one song [when I’m performing]. I tend to mix music na magkaiba ang atake pero pag-co-connect ko sila.”
“For my performances, I’m going to make a concept out of the song [first]. I check the meaning of the lyrics and make my own interpretation. [And then I will] find another song na ico-connect sa [first] song. Plus, my performances should [always] show how fierce and fearless I am, so music taste is a must!”
Tell me about Bunganga Battle Royale.
“Nagkaroon ng pa-audition si Misis (Viñas) nung July, after lang ‘yun ng ganap ng June na puro Pride. ‘Yun ‘yung time na pa-burnout na ako kasi daming nangyari noong June; ‘yung House of Ding dun nag-boom. Lahat ng odd numbered dates, meron kaming performance. And then, nagkaroon ng pa-audition siMisis [pero] hindi ako nag-audtion agad kasi nag-auditon na ‘yung mga kapatidko [from House of Ding]. Nag-audition ako a day before the deadline. Pang-top 12 ako pero sampu lang kukunin. Nakapasok lang ako dahil ‘yung dalawa sa top 10 originally, hindi na nasama. BBR (Bunganga Battle Royale) was a weekly competition. [It went on for] seven weeks, [and] weekly may nae-eliminate.”
“Napapakita ko sa mga gigs ko ‘yung pagiging performer ko. But [at BBR], what I showed was my art and my life. Napakita ko ‘yung family story ko [at] kung ano ‘yung sitwasyon ko sa bahay through performances.”
How do you wish to evolve as Zymba Ding in the future?
“My goal as a queen, frankly, is to be famous in a positive way. By being famous, I get to be relevant in society. By being relevant, I get to be credible to truly inspire people in terms of how I want them to get inspired by me. For instance, I want people to see me as a gay person who follows what’s written in the Bible but never thinks to be a hypocrite. They may get inspired in so many ways I can’t imagine possible, but I want them to see the deeper view of what they see from me.”
“I’m very religious kasi. In a way, gusto ko mapasok ‘yung pagiging religious ko in drag. Kasi super magkaibang mundo talaga ‘yun at ‘yun ang pinaka goal ko: maipasok ‘yung pagiging Christian boy ko in drag.”
How do you think you’d react if you had the same unjustified outpour of hate for doing what Pura Luka Vega did?
“Ang kinwestyon sa kanya ‘yung spirituality niya, ‘yung Christianity niya. Ganon’n din magiging reaction ko, ‘Why are you going to question my spirituality [and my personal relationship with God]?’”
What’s the best thing about drag?
“It makes me busy. I get to sustain my living, to be honest. Ang main goal lang naman is maging busy ako, but naging career siya.”
Photography KIM SANTOS
Location EMPTY STOMACH
