World of Wonder Presents just dropped the first two episodes of Drag Race Philippines – available now via WOW Presents Plus. Joining the Judging Panel is one of the OGs of Drag, delivering us the most memorable Design Challenge Dress of all time, mawma – it’s international treasure Jiggly Caliente!
This morning we caught up with Jiggly to find out more about why she is qualified to be judging, what makes Drace Race Philippines unique and her favourite Mariah Carey song.
Jiggly, I’ve loved watching you as judge in the first two episodes of Drag Race Philippines. I feel as a Western audience we can see the contestants through your eyes but also through your Eastern perspective too. What did you want to bring to the table that other judges couldn’t?
I think the difference between me and the other judges is the fact that I know what it’s like to be in the queens’ position. I came with a different angle and a different approach to judging. I was never trying to be malicious, I wanted it to be heartfelt and honest. At the very least, I wanted, what I said to be constructive and not just saying it for airtime.
Out of all the different types of challenge, which were you most excited to judge?
Hahaha…well, I was definitely most excited to judge the design challenge! I knew people would be like, ‘What the fuck has this bitch got to say about design?! She can’t even make shit on her own.’ Haha…But for me it’s not simply about making something. I don’t have the dexterity of my hands. I’m a fucking princess through and through and I’m spoiled. So I don’t lift a finger or do manual labour, it’s just not part of my fantasy. But I know what looks good. I can tell a designer what I want! I have a good sense of style, despite what people think, I just can’t make shit! Haha…But actually some of the queens were very receptive when it came to me judging that challenge because they were like, ‘You’ve struggled like us, you know what it’s like!’
What advice have you given the queens for life after Drag Race?
Listen, I am the last person to tell queens how to behave on social media. Haha…but I did tell them that, ‘Look, now the world is looking at you. Whatever you post and whatever you’ve done in the past, you have to address full force. You have to backtrack and not be a pussy about it. You said these things, so now just be an adult about it.’ I think my queens are actually pretty non-problematic. Some of them also have a lot of growing to do as far as understanding the sensitivity of the Western world where certain things are no longer politically correct. In the Philippines, we are also a project of colonisation. It’s still a learning curve so I hope that the fans, and the world, will be receptive to the fact that these queens, these people, are learning at the same time.
Through Drag Race Canada we’ve learned how the inidigenous people were more free-thinking about ideas of gender and sexuality before being colonised. Was this the same in the Philippines?
Yes. Spain brought religion into the Philippines. Before that there were third sex and trans people that were revered as shamen and overseers because we were called Babaylan. We were respected. Then when religion came into play that’s when it all changed.
The origins of British Drag come from acting female roles on stage, while Thailand’s history feels more about Female Illusion. Two different approaches. What is the Philippines’ story with drag?
In the Philippines it is also very much female-illusion-driven. It really started here with Beauty Pageants and the female impersonation. It has evolved through the years, especially with Drag Race coming into the world, and you can tell that by the way the queens introduce themselves. It is just so much fun to watch. I cannot wait for people to see how these queens showcase their drag.
I always think an important part of the international franchises is how they explain to straight viewers the struggle of queer people in their country. What do you hope the show achieves within the Philippines?
I hope even more stories are told and respected. Maybe the Philippines will take into consideration giving LGBT people more rights and giving them a real chance of taking space in the government. The Philippines is very conservative and religious. I feel the Queer community in the Philippines don’t even have basic human rights. You can still get fired if a company finds out you are gay. That in itself is such a struggle and I feel the Queer community should at least have the safety of being able to work and not feel like they are at risk just for who they are.
And what do you want international audiences to learn about Filipino drag?
Drag Race Philippines definitely delivers on the beauty! This is a very pretty cast…except for one girl! Haha…I even tell the one girl who always says she’s not pretty, ‘Bitch, you are prettier than Tina Burner on a good day!’ Haha…But also the personalities of these queens are on another level. I hope that fans get to understand Filipino gay lingo. Just like, ‘The House Down Boots’, I want the world to be able to use ‘Charót!’ as the next gay thing to say!
Lastly we are named after the biggest-selling single of 2001. So we always ask what is your favourite Mariah Carey song?
My favourite has to be ‘My All.’ Haha…it’s like my Go-To song, no, actually that was the song I listened to when I had my first heartbreak! So that is my ultimate Mariah Carey song.
In the UK, Drag Race Philippines will premiere with two episodes on 17th August at 12pm BST and continue weekly every Wednesday, with Drag Race Philippines: Untucked airing two days later from Friday 19th August, exclusively on the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus.
Subscribe via https://uk.wowpresentsplus.
For fans wishing to meet Drag Race alum and host Jiggly Caliente, in the flesh, tickets are now on sale for RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2023 at https://uk.rupaulsdragcon.com/
