All hail our Precious queen
Precious Paula Nicole, the country’s first drag superstar, is beautiful inside and out
By Pam Pastor I n the third episode of “Drag Race Philippines,” the memorable one that gave us the gift of “Pop Off Ate,” the contestants were asked to rank their fellow queens. Precious Paula Nicole emerged on top. While voting for her, Eva Le Queen said, “She’s very talented and napakabuting tao.”
“Siya yung sobrang mabait, humble and yet magaling. Bow ako, saludo ako sa kanya,” Xilhouette said.
Precious Paula Nicole was already a successful drag queen before she joined the show— she’s one of the stars at O Bar and, like Eva pointed out in “Untucked,” she already appeared in a TV commercial. Eva told Precious, “Other than the talent and all, you’re a very beautiful person ... Ako mabigyan ng commercial, sinasabi ko sa’yo, napakayabang ko nang tao. You’re a top caliber drag queen, you’re one of the best, and yet you’re so down-toearth.”
Throughout the show, the other queens continued to lavish Precious with praise. Even in the midst of the competition, they couldn’t help but love her. And we couldn’t help but love her.
Precious really is precious.
She let us in by telling us her story—what a struggle it was to prepare for the show, how painful it was to lose her mother, how much she loves her brother, how she yearns to see the rest of her siblings again. But her willingness to be vulnerable is just one part of this consummate queen.
She’s fun (remember the pot-stirring?), she’s funny (we will never forget that crawling tiyanak), she’s hella entertaining (we’re obsessed with her dance moves, even out of drag), and my god, can she perform. We stopped writing this just to watch her “Sirena” lip sync again, the one that ended up winning her the crown and making her the Philippines’ first drag superstar.
It’s been over a month since she won but it has yet to sink in, says Precious. But tonight, we’re sure she’ll feel the triumph— she’s having her victory show at her home bar O Bar.
In this Super interview, the lovable reigning queen talks about the show, her journey and how her heart has always been the guiding force behind her drag.
First drag superstar in the Philippines—how does it feel?
Sobrang happy. Ang daming nangyari after the crowning. Kapag mag-isa na lang ako sa bahay, doon ko lang nare-realize na tapos na pala. Kasi minsan ‘pag gumigising ako, may ano pa eh, “Ano kayang mangyayari tomorrow sa ‘Drag Race’?”
How has winning “Drag Race” changed your life? Una sa lahat, yung TF (talent fee) natin tumaas na. (laughs)
Dapat lang!
(laughs) And mas marami nang venues, mas marami nang platform para makapag-perform. Natutuwa ako na hindi lang yung mga “Drag Race” queens yung nabigyan ng opportunities to showcase their talents. Ang sayang tingnan na with “Drag Race Philippines,” ang dami sa aming natulungan. Mas mataas na yung respeto sa amin, mas kilala na kami ngayon na pwede rin pala kaming isabak sa mga napapanood nila sa iba’t ibang franchise ng “Drag Race.”
What do you remember about the final lip sync?
Ang huli kong naalala yung sinabi ni Mamwa Pao na “Good luck at dapat pakak.” After that, yung next memory ko na is yung sinasamahan na ako ng Divine sisters ko na sinasabi sa akin, “Oh my god, ang galing mo, paano mo ginawa yun?” Yung performance na yun ng “Sirena,” yun yung kauna-unahang moment ko as a performer na talagang nag-let go ako. Hinayaan ko lang yung sarili ko na gumalaw mag-isa.
Is it true that seven designers failed to finish outfits they were supposed to do for you?
Ang nakakalungkot kasi doon, nag-commit sila eh. Tapos habang tumatakbo yung oras, isa-isa silang nawawala, isa-isa silang nagme-message na, “Ay, pasensya na, medyo naging busy ako, marami akong dapat gawin” or “Pasensya na, nadamitan ko na si ganito.” Para ako brineak ng pitong boyfriend na sunod-sunod. Heartbreaking siya. Isa yun sa mahirap na napagdaanan ko, yung rejection. Maiintindihan mo kung isa or dalawa yung nag-reject sa’yo, pero pito?! Because of those messages, sabi ko, “Baka hindi naman talaga ako para sa ‘Drag Race’ kasi parang isa-isa silang hindi naniniwala sa akin. Ang ginawa ko, yung tatlong designers na willing ako tulungan, sabi ko sa kanila baka meron kayong lumang outfits na nakatambak na pwede niyo ipahiram sa akin na pwede ko ipasok sa categories. Sa awa ng Diyos nagawan naman ng paraan.
Have you heard from these designers now that you’ve won?
Meron, meron. (laughs) Tatlo. Yung isa nga nagkita na kami in person, sa isang party, nag-apologize siya. Kung alam lang nila kung paano ako nahirapan. Hanggang pagpasok sa “Drag Race” dala-dala ko siya eh, may trauma.
What was it like going into the show with the Divine Divas?
Plastikan lang! (laughs) Joke lang. Ang maganda kasi sa aming Divine Divas, kapag kami magkakasama, may camera, may stage, may audience or wala, ganun kami talaga, ganun yung bond namin. Para kaming naglalaro lang. Sa simpleng biruan namin, hindi namin alam na nakaka-create pala kami ng magic, ang dami palang nai-inspire and nae-entertain sa friendship namin. Napakaswerte lang namin na napili kami makapasok sa “Drag Race.” Sabay-sabay kaming nangarap, sabay-sabay namin ‘tong pinag-uusapan nung pandemic habang nagsho-show kami sa Facebook, habang nanghihingi kami ng tips. Sobrang grateful naming tatlo na yung simpleng pangarap namin ay nagkatotoo at nakikita ngayon ng buong mundo.
How does it feel to have people around the world embrace the show?
It’s overwhelming. Until now, I receive so many messages every day. Hindi ko inexpect na ganito kalakas and kalaki yung impact. Parang sa movie lang siya nangyayari. Nakakataba ng puso.
What impact would you like the show to have in the Philippines?
I want them to realize na before they support international queens, marami tayo dito sa Pilipinas. I want them to know na bongga rin talaga yung mga drag queens dito. They deserve your attention and love and deserve na mapanood nila at suportahan nila sa mga darating pang season ng “Drag Race.”
What’s your favorite catchphrase from the show?
“Good luck at dapat pakak.” “The shoes!” “Baliw!” Ano pa? “Puso, puso, puso.” “Can I get an eme?”
How’s your brother? How does your family feel about your win? Will you finally get to spend the holidays with them?
That’s really my goal, to see my siblings during the holidays. Yung makapunta kami sa ibang bansa medyo hindi pa siya magagawa pero I will make sure John-John and I will celebrate together. Hopefully next year, we can all be together. Si JohnJohn okay na okay siya, busy sa school, mukhang may girlfriend na nga eh. Sobrang happy nila and sobrang excited kami na magkita-kita ulit.
One of the things that sets you apart is you and your drag have so much heart—is this a conscious thing that you strive for or does it just come naturally?
When I started, I thought drag was impersonation, pagalingan gumaya kay Beyoncé, pagalingan gumaya kay Madonna. But when I started to dive in kung ano talaga yung ibig sabihin ng drag, doon ko lang narealize na you don’t have to imitate someone, kung ano yung nafi-feel mo that day, pwedeng yun yung ipakita mo. If I’m sad, ipapakita ko sa tao kung ano yung nararamdaman ko. If I don’t feel pretty today, yung makeup ko hindi din sobrang glamorous. Minsan nagpe-perform talaga ako na yung lipstick ko black, yung eye shadow ko kalat-kalat ... Yun yung art for me. Kumbaga sa painting, hindi naman laging maganda yung makikita mo. May dark, may colorful ... For me ganun yung drag. That’s when I started using my heart. ‘Pag gusto ko umiyak, iiyak ako sa show. Kung gusto kong maging fantasy yung performance ko, lumilipad ako, nag-e-aerial ako, may kung ano-anong props na lumalabas kung saan-saan. Kung gusto ko magpatawa, magco-comedy ako. That’s the power we have. Mas maraming nai-inspire sa akin kapag puso yung ginagamit ko, mas maraming nata-touch.
How do you stay humble?
May mga ina-idolize ako na tao like Ate Reg (Regine Velasquez). Sabi nila, si Ate Reg, kahit ganyan na siya kalaki, kahit ganyan na siya katagal sa industriya, hindi lumaki ang ulo, hindi yumabang, kaya mas maraming nagmamahal sa kanya ... Sinusubaybayan ko siya. Ngayon may nagsasabi sa akin, “O lumabas ka na naman ng naka-tsinelas, pag napicturan ka ng tao nakakahiya.” Sabi ko, “Bakit? Hindi ba nagtsi-tsinelas ang mga tao? Tao pa rin naman ako.” Hindi ko babaguhin kung sino ako, kung ano ako nung pinasok ko itong mundong ‘to, I’ll make sure na ako pa rin ito. Dumating man yung time na hindi na ako mahal ng tao, at least hindi na ako maninibago sa sarili ko. Simple pa rin naman ako. Andun pa rin ako sa misyon ko na magpapasaya ako ng tao.
Tell us about the work you’ve been doing with Angat Buhay and the Golden Gays.
I’ve always had a soft spot for people na nakikita ko sa kalsada. Kahit sa munting paraan ko lang I made sure nakakatulong ako, I’ll buy food, I’ll give them water ... Yun yung naging ugali ko before pa ako naging drag queen. I love extending my help sa mga taong nangangailangan ng tulong. Katulad ng sinasabi ng mama ko, kahit walang matira sa’yo, hangga’t may maitutulong ka, ibigay mo. Yung sa Angat Buhay, nakakatuwa, nagstart lang siya sa isang tweet tapos yung Team Precious, sabi nila, “We want to help also.” Sa isang simpleng tweet lang nakabuo kami ng P100,000 para sa Angat Buhay. Sa Golden Gays naman, I met them a year after I started drag. Malaki yung part nila sa puso ko. Before “Drag Race” pa ito na talaga yung gusto kong gawin, tumulong and mag-inspire. If you want to get involved, just message me. Let’s help the Golden Gays and let’s help more people.
You’ve been doing shows nonstop—what’s it like meeting so many fans in person?
Meeting them and hearing their stories is my favorite part of our shows. Sila yung nagtatanggal ng pagod ko, hearing them say “thank you” or “you inspire me.” May isa akong fan sinama niya yung mommy niya tapos umiiyak sila kasi sabi nila dahil sa isang episode ng “Drag Race” nagbati sila kasi matagal na silang hindi okay. Umiyak ako. Kahit tapos na yung meet and greet namin iyak ako ng iyak. Yung moment na yun, na-feel ko yung presence ng mama ko. Yun yung purpose ko eh, yun yung gusto ko ipakita sa episode na yun, treasure your family, spend more time with your family.
The fans can be super loving but also vicious to other queens, like when some attacked you after you won, what are your thoughts on that?
Aware naman ako even before “Drag Race Philippines,” na sa isang room na may sampung tao, may isa or dalawa na hindi ka gusto. Ganun lang siya kasimple. Kung nanalo si Marina, I’m sure yung mga nagmamahal sa akin ganun din yung magiging reaction kay Marina. Kung ano man yung nareceive ko na bashing, it’s just because they love Marina so much. And kung alam lang nila, nung araw na yun, ang gusto ko rin manalo at ang feel ko na mananalo ay si Marina. Hindi lahat ng tao mapi-please mo, hindi lahat ng tao gusto yung ginagawa mo, hindi lahat ng tao maiinspire sa’yo. It’s just that sa aming dalawa, kailangan may makoronahan. So I totally understand, 100 percent, 110 percent, kung ano man yung naging reaction nila, natural lang yun. Kung ako naman yung audience, kung ako yung nanonood tapos hindi nanalo yung gusto ko, ganun din yung reaction ko, “Ha? Bakit?? Hindi pwede ‘to! Mali!” Nangyari na yan na nanood ako ng “Drag Race” franchise na hindi nanalo yung gusto ko. Honestly, nung crowning sa Xylo nafeel ko rin naman na hati yung reaction nung tao and that’s okay. Nirerespeto ko yung decision ng judges, nirerespeto ko yung moment na yun, nirerespeto ko nang sobra sobra si Marina, nirerespeto ko yung opinion nila at nirerespeto ko rin yung opinion ng mga taong nagmamahal sa akin. Imbis na mag-concentrate ako sa bashing nila, mas nag-concentrate ako sa mga tao na masaya for me. Kung hindi man sila naging masaya for me, I’m sure darating yung time na “Ah, kaya naman pala nanalo si Precious kasi ganito, kasi ganyan.”
How can people support your drag?
Watch our shows. We have regular shows at Empty Stomach, Tipsy Pig, O Bar. We also go to the provinces. Follow my socials lalo na sa IG (@preciouspaulame) kasi doon ako nag-a-announce ng mga ganap ko. Please like and follow @divinedivasph, we post our upcoming shows there. Hintay lang po kayo sa maraming-marami pang ganap, content and shows very soon.
What are your plans post-Drag Race?
More shows. Marami pa tayong pupuntahang probinsya and gusto ko din mag-travel abroad. Sana mabigyan pa tayo ng mga opportunities kasi nagsisimula pa lang ang drag queens ng Philippines, wala pa tayo sa exciting part.
Are you excited about DragCon UK?
Super! Nape-pressure na ako! Grabe! Parang gusto ko na Pressure Paula Nicole na lang yung pangalan ko kasi nakaka-pressure. But I’m so excited that finally, for the very first time, may rarampa na crowned queen sa DragCon na Filipino.
What are your tips for queens who want to join Season 2?
Just follow your heart. Make sure na bago ka pumasok sa loob kilalang-kilala mo sarili mo, kung anong purpose
mo sa loob, kung
bakit ka papasok, kung bakit ka magco-compete, kung bakit mo gustong makasali, kung bakit mo gustong manalo. Ibigay mo lang lagi yung laman ng puso mo. Good luck and dapat pakak!
What do you love the most about being a drag queen?
Para kaming superheroes. Pag hindi kami naka-drag para kaming mga ordinaryong tao na hindi mo mapapansin. We get to transform, para kaming chameleon, para kaming si Mystique, iba-iba yung kaya namin ipakita. That’s the magic of drag. Kaya namin dalhin kayo sa mundo kung saan namin gusto. Nahahawakan namin ang puso ninyo from afar and at the same time, nata-touch namin yung buhay ninyo. The best part is nakakapagbigay kami ng inspirasyon sa mga taong kailangan ng inspirasyon.