After two non-elimination episodes, Drag Race Philippines Season 2 finally presented its Top 4! The Bekenemen Viewing Party delivered another unforgettable night for the queens and their supporters
And just like that, Drag Race Philippines Season 2 is only down to one episode left. It seems just yesterday, we were looking at ultra-zoomed teasers of the promo poster. Precious Paula Nicole’s historic reign will end in just a few days, and the crown will rest on a new head.
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The second season was a clear step forward, bringing several upgrades and improvements from last year, from the oversized Werq Room to tighter pacing, making our viewing experience more fascinating. The narrative structure was significantly better, allowing a balanced display of Filipino drag excellence and conversations about our queer experiences.
The Bekenemen Experience
Emotions are louder, magnified, and a lot more intense when shared. To passionate fans of drag, viewing parties have been the ultimate gathering places to laugh, cry, and cheer. Bekenemen Viewing Parties, in particular, hold a special kind of magic that even the cast and local drag artists can attest to. It’s where friendships take shape and strengthen. A space that evokes feelings of family. It’s a cherished place where collective cheers, gasps, and tears that seem never to end make our love for Drag Race Philippines and the community get bigger a hundredfold.
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Tickets for this episode sold out at record-breaking speed. It was also their biggest show yet, with 200 attendees who experienced an extra special show brimming with overflowing emotions. After everything, it was like I had been spat out from a tornado—a wild ride filled with extreme ups and downs.
Let’s revisit the moments that unfolded on that memorable night
RELATED: A Viewing Party to Remember
Mega Drag’s ONE TO WATCH this month sure was a showstopper. Zymba Ding’s sensational return to Bekenemen after winning their Ikaw Nemen drag pageant last November 2022 showcased her star power.
The charm of Rapture Royalty Moonlight descended upon us with a couple of songs from Ariana Grande.
Freshly arrived from the airport, Corazon wasted no time and went to the Bekenemen stage to treat us with the Cheche performance we’d longed for.
Wowing the audience with her Feather You Like It Or Not runway look way back from episode 1, Matilduh was THE drama, mama!
P-O-W-E-R! The LSFYL that sent shockwaves and tsunamis of tears across the world reached a whole new level of amazing when witnessed live. Bravo to our trans super icons, Bernie and Captivating Katkat!
Following two episodes that preserved the top six contestants, this episode was heavily anticipated to be a double elimination. It was a rollercoaster of emotions to celebrate the top four and lament the departure of the adored ØV CÜNT and Hana Beshie.
Baus: “Payag ka ba na anim kayo sa dulo?”
Bernie: “Payag ako na anim kami sa dulo kasi kung sa tutuusin, ang galing ng anim! Walang dapat tanggalin sa anim—totoo ‘yan!”
On why Captivating Katkat was very emotional while watching the elimination of ØV and Hana: “Nu’ng una, akala ko ang babaho lang nila tingnan pero ang gagaling! Ang gagaling talagang kalaban ng mga ‘to!” she exclaimed with a laugh.
Arizona Brandy was also visibly upset when she watched her 3-way LSFYL against who she considered her top 2: “Sobrang na-guilty talaga ako ‘nung moment na ‘yun. Hindi ko alam paano ice-celebrate ‘yung pag-top four ko.”
“Pero gusto natin ang amats ko today ay ako ang mananalo!”
M1ss Jade So, a truly dedicated Lady Gaga enthusiast, performed the anthem for identity and self-expression, “Hair.” Narrative visuals played on the screen behind her about her trans journey and struggles.
M1ss Jade So with her mom.
“I’m so happy na makita ko family ko dito. Sila kasi ‘yung mga tumulong sa’kin sa Drag Race journey ko; sila nag-fund ng looks ko. Makita lang sila, buong-buo na ‘yung moment na ‘to.”
ØV CÜNT: “Sabi ko sa sarili ko kasi hindi ako madi-disappoint, kasi magiging proud ako dapat kasi maganda naman ‘yung standing ko. But I’m so disappointed with myself. Binigay ko naman lahat. Pero hindi pa rin talaga kinaya kasi nga tanga kasi si Arizona. Kasalanan mo talaga lahat ‘to.“
“Maraming salamat, Pilipinas! To the world we go!”
ØV’s fans, known as the CÜNT Collective, surprised the drag provocateur with a heartwarming video message that undoubtedly lifted her spirits during these most challenging moments.
The face of Cebu drag, Nicole Pardaux, performed a sexy JLo medley!
Astrid Mercury showed us how to Burlesque to the Christina Aguilera hit!
The extra large talent of Tiny Deluxe! Live vocals, honey!
She wore what was supposed to be her Doble-Kara runway look.
Arizona Brandy lip-syncs to a Sarah Geronimo song, “Isa Pang Araw.”
“Pwede bang humiling [ng] isa pang araw,” as if singing about the final stretch of her Drag Race Philippines journey.
ØV CÜNT wore an exquisite custom Paul Rex Mateo while demonstrating her remarkable lip-sync skills to the timeless Celeste Legaspi song, “Minsan Ang Minahal.” The moment was the perfect bow to end her exceptional run on Drag Race Philippines.
Hana Beshie ended the show with a fitting farewell song to wrap up our feelings.
“Paalam sa ating huling sayaw. May dulo pala ang langit. Kaya sabay tayong bibitaw sa ating huling sayaw.”
Photography KIM SANTOS
