Hangout vibes with Rapture Cafe Bar’s Moonlight as she unpacks the art of her drag.
My introduction to Rapture Royalty Moonlight was in 2022, during one of the most intense and fiery campaign seasons this country has ever seen. She performed all around the country in front of thousands of Leni-Kiko supporters alongside Lady Gagita to the song that meant a lot to queer people during the height of the pandemic: “Rain On Me.”
Fast forward to now, we find Moonlight in the Rapture Royalty home base in Quezon City, Rapture Cafe Bar, gearing up for a show. The backstage is cluttered with a thousand different drag items, with costumes invading the ceiling space and presenting themselves as an aesthetically pleasing fashion stalactite.
RELATED: Notes from Cubao Drag’s Ghulli Ghush
Curious about Moonlight? Let’s delve deeper into her world.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your drag journey?
“Kapag may panahon na wala akong pera. Ang hirap kasi makagalaw kapag walang pera lalo na kapag may gusto akong gawin sa drag ko.”
How do you handle and overcome criticisms or biases within the drag community?
“Kapag may ganyan, ibig sabihin concerned sila sa’yo or may gusto silang i-improve pa sa’yo. Pero depende ‘yan kung paano nila i-deliver. ‘Pag may ganyan, pinapakinggan ko naman.”
What’s the best thing about drag?
“The best thing about drag is that you can be anything you want to be. Nu’ng bata ako, may mga bagay akong gustong gawin na ngayon pwede na dahil sa tulong drag.”
Fashion and beauty
Best makeup tip or hack?
“Proper placements ng mga makeup sa face and alamin mo ‘yung facial structure mo. Then, dapat kita sa back row ‘yung makeup mo, so practice your stage makeup. I-set mo din talaga dapat ‘yung face mo ng maraming powder para hindi ka mahulas kaagad.”
Best fashion/styling tip or hack?
“Mix and match at tingnan mo na lang kung babagay ba sa’yo ‘yung damit o hindi. Okay din naman mag-ukay sa beginners and may online shopping na rin so kaya niyo na ‘yan, support lang ako!”
Top 3 drag essentials?
“Wig, stockings, [and] lipstick.”
Cubao drag
What is Cubao drag? What makes it different and unique from the others?
“Cubao drag is fun, chaotic, entertaining, and full of kagaguhan na I’m sure mag-e-enjoy ‘yung mga manonood sa’min. Cubao drag is pang-masa pero shala din kami! Cubao drag is kayang makipagsabayan sa iba!”
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your Rapture Royalty sisters?
“‘Yung ituring na pamilya ‘yung isa’t-isa. Kami kasi, sisters talaga kami. Like, kami na ‘to oh!”
On performing live
What was your first drag performance like?
“Facebook Live ‘yung una kong drag performance at kasama ko ‘yung drag mom ko na si Andy Crocker. Siya ‘yung tumulong sa’kin that time kung anong gagawin ko. Masaya naman!”
Top 3 go-to songs when you perform?
“‘Break Free’, ‘You Belong With Me,’ [and] ‘Ultraluminary.'”
What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
“‘Yung alam ko na ‘yung drag ko nakakasabay na sa mga kasama ko. Unlike before na wala talaga akong idea sa ginagawa ko and hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yung drag ko kasi nga nag-start ako bilang impersonator.”
Who or what are your inspirations that help you shape your drag persona and performances?
“Nung unang nag-start ako mag-drag, ang pinaka-inspiration ko talaga sa drag si Ariana Grande. Nag-start kasi ako bilang impersonator niya. Ngayon naman, nai-inspire na ako sa mga kasama ko araw-araw. ‘Yung drag monther ko na si Andy Crocker, isa siya sa mga idols ko talaga.”
Where do you want to see your drag in the future?
“Sa maraming stages at shows. Gusto ko matunog ang pangalan ko at maraming raket! Gusto ko na booked and blessed pa rin ako sa future.”
Photography KIM SANTOS
