Meet Dysco & Ezra, a couple who explores drag to express themselves and celebrate their love and queer power
Because of Lady Gaga’s incredible stint as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9, Dysco, a rabid little monster, started watching the show and got hooked. She used to paint her favorite pop female idols like Mother Monster, Lana Del Rey, and Lorde, and then eventually, after her Drag Race obsession, famous drag queens. “I would be fascinated by the queens’ makeup and outfits, and as an artist, I was amazed by their thought process and how they would conceptualize looks. I think because I was still in the closet then, making my artworks was my way to explore my queerness and express myself until I became my own muse,” she says.
Like Dysco, RuPaul’s Drag Race was the portal that introduced Ezra to the sublime art of drag. With a background in musical theatre, she played a role where she wore a dress, wig, and stage makeup and, in hindsight, realized that she’d done drag before. She professes: “Performing kasi talaga ‘yung pinaka passion ko as an artist, and ‘nung na-discover ko that drag can also be an avenue of performing, I’ve been hooked since.”
How did you start developing your persona?
Dysco: I started exploring creative makeup with Ezra during the height of the pandemic. Before that, kilay-kilay lang ako. And then eventually, sabi ko, “Teh, kulang na lang tayo ng wig!” So, for Christmas 2020, wig yung gift ko sa kaniya. And then came Pride a few months later and nag-reopen na ang Nectar, and along with it, ‘yung comeback ng Drag Cartel by Poison Wednesdays. Dysco debuted in Cartel and thankful ako sa Poison kasi through them, nagkaroon ako ng maraming drag sisters and platform to explore my drag. Aside from them, I’m also thankful to the Ballroom community in the Philippines for also providing a platform for queer artists like me. I think silang dalawa talaga yung integral in developing my drag artistry.
Ezra: As a teenage boy, whenever going out, until before the pandemic, I always enjoyed expressing myself in how I dressed and how I look like. Nakakatuwang magbihis nang hindi traditionally masculine. It felt comfortable and free. Then the pandemic happened, and we were all locked in our homes. Makeup ‘yung isa sa mga naging hobby ko for pastime. From dressing up differently to putting different colors and glitters on my face. Niregaluhan ako ni Dysco ng first wig ko and then, ayun na, Ezra was born. We’re both thankful to the communities that embraced us. The drag community, the ballroom community, and the whole queer community whose lives continue to inspire us and drive us to become the best versions of ourselves.
Have you ever performed together in drag?
Ezra: We’re both thankful that we usually get booked as a pair, so whenever we conceptualize our performances, laging kasama sa set namin na bukod sa individual performances, we also prepare a performance as a duo.
We have very different aesthetics and takes on our performances, pero we always work together as a team kaya nakakatulong sa process kasi at the end of the day, hindi lang best interest ng isa’t-isa ‘yung dapat naming i-consider, we also consider ‘yung magiging best output para sa audience.
Dysco: I am thankful that I get to do drag with Ezra. In a way, we inspire each other with our craft. Everything talaga we discover together. Also, we share our drag stuff din with each other. Same size din kami ng paa, so we share even our shoes.
What are the themes or concepts that you consider in your performances?
Dysco: With my performances, I do not want to be boxed and just perform disco just because I named myself from the genre. I also perform pop, punk, and alt. Sometimes even rap, as long as it’s by a female rapper. If Ezra’s drag is very sweet, mine is on the spicier and edgier side.
Ezra: Definitely musicals or fairy tales, kasi isa yun sa childhood dreams ko that drag helps me to actualize.
Share a memorable moment from one of your performances.
Ezra: It was actually from Drag Cartel back in September 2022. Ang theme was Cosplay Realness. Sobrang memorable kasi I got to cosplay as one of my favorite characters of all time, Elphaba. That moment to me was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, kasi I also had a box full of butterflies as a reveal.
Dysco: The first time I joined Drag Cartel, ‘yung costume ko meron siyang pakpak na napakalaki and napakabigat and then ang tagal ko bago makalabas ng dressing room kasi hindi ako kasya! I had to kneel and have three people help me para lang makalabas. Asikaso talaga and super bigat niya. We lip-synced to a remix of Janina San Miguel’s iconic pageant answer. Doon na talaga pinaka nag-start yung pagtingin ko sa drag na this is something I’d enjoy and like to continue doing.
How do you drag as a vital part of the LGBTQIA+ community and society as a whole?
Dysco: Drag is political, and with whatever influence you have, it is important that you use your power for the right reasons. When in drag, you are meant to attract attention. You are meant to be seen. For me, the role of drag is not just to entertain but also to inspire people to celebrate themselves. Drag artists are proof that it’s okay to be a more flamboyant version of yourself, that it’s okay to be a bit more feminine or more masculine than others.
Ezra: Drag is liberating, not just to oneself but also to society. It sends a message that our existence as a community will never be silenced. We fight with the loudest colors, loudest performances, and loudest messages.
