How Marla taught herself to translate adversities into self-empowerment.
Transgender women who did drag played a significant role in the evolution and diversification of the art form. Marsha P. Johnson, a transgender queen, threw the first brick that started the pivotal gay rights movement. Their massive contribution and inspiration to self-expression and advocacy must always be remembered and honored. “Napakalaking role ng representation. We need to be heard. We still need to fight for our equality. Mahaba-habang laban pa pero ito ‘yung way para makamit natin ‘yung rights natin na ating inaasam-asam,” says Marla.
Let’s get to know Marla as we celebrate this wonderful month celebrating women.
The Battles She Fought
Marla started as a showgirl at Club Mwah in Mandaluyong City, where she found her gift of enthralling audiences with her mesmerizing performances. She has since earned a reputation in the drag scene as a powerhouse.
But her journey has not been without its challenges. She grew up in an abusive environment, the kind of emotional turmoil you bring into adulthood that could shape lifetime decisions and reactions. She found the church and her school to be the places to escape, where she would sing and dance her troubles away.
Like a symbolic embrace that needed to take place to boost her confidence, transitioning helped her unblock hurdles that kept her from blossoming and celebrating herself to the fullest. “It’s like a rollercoaster ride. Maraming ups and downs. Marami akong na-experience as a transwoman in our community. Pero you have to be positive. Hinga lang ng malalim, then pagpag! Kahit pinupuksa ka na, dapat laban lang,” she says.
Her ability to bounce back and rise above obstacles toughened her spirit and taught her to look for the rainbow after every storm. She believes we can always find beauty on the other side of tragedy. We have to fight our way to the other side to claim it.
But, of course, she wouldn’t be able to do it alone. In difficult times, a strong support network of friends is sometimes the only encouragement and reassurance we need to get going. She found this in the form of Xilhouete. When Marla hit rock bottom, Xilhouete took her under her wing. Xilhouete mothered hard, and Marla became part of the House.
Moving Forward
Marla recognizes the commercialization of drag and is very much electrified by it. She started doing drag at a time when it was an underground scene and inaccessible even to many queer people. “Bongga, (because now) lahat naaabot na ng culture ng drag. In demand na siya ngayon and celebrated. Sana mag tuloy-tuloy and please support local queens,” she says. Although very happy and grateful that she’s doing what makes her heart the most joyful, it can still be exhausting. “Drag is financially and emotionally draining,” Marla blurts out. So, to anyone who wants to pursue drag, she has a bit of simple and sensible advice: “Just be yourself. You can never be wrong in being authentic to yourself. Just enjoy and ready yourself financially dahil mahal ang art of drag.”
Her career as a drag artist for almost two decades is a shining example of prevailing, going against stereotypes, and loving oneself. With passion, willpower, and a dazzling outfit, the sky is the limit.
