In Conversation With Divine Divas Precious Paula Nicole, Brigiding, And Viñas Deluxe

Precious Paula Nicole, Brigiding, and Viñas Deluxe. The Divine Divas. These names definitely ring a bell as they have become a royalty in drag and their niche.

Starting out as a pandemic passion project, the Divine Divas have a power tool to share. It’s a combination of talent, grit, guts, and belief in oneself. 

As drag queens, the trio is burgeoning into a joint act that various audiences jive to. The promise of every performance and event they stage is sure to storm the local drag landscape. 

Recently, in fact, Drag Race Philippines Grand Winner Precious Paula Nicole and her fellow royals and Drag Race alums Brigiding and Viñas Deluxe had their first ever concert—“Divine Divas: The Ultimate Drag Experience”—at the New Frontier Theater, and the event was a spectacle of a show. 

Now, as they take on a new project together, Drag You & Me, as special guests, Precious Paula Nicole, Brigiding, and Viñas Deluxe promise to elevate drag and energize its culture in our country. As emerging icons in their field, they try to shed light on some recurring issues related to identity crises and discrimination concerns, too. 

The explosive trio on their Drag You & Me experience

When each asked about their experience on set, Precious Paula Nicola started off by sharing her bits of memorable moments with Brigiding and Viñas Deluxe. “Ang pinaka-memorable ko siyempre, ’yung magkakasama kami nu’ng first day kasi para lang din kaming sumali sa Drag Race,” she began. “As in para siyang nangyari na before. Déjà vu nga ’yung nangyari nu’ng first day nu’ng taping kasi may production numbers, nagli-lip sync kami, nagpe-perform kami.” 

Precious Paula Nicole also recalled a time when she and Kapamilya talent Christian Bables were in a scene together. “Nagtatarayan kami, tapos sabi niya talaga sa’kin, kinakabahan daw talaga siya sa’kin kasi ang taray daw ng itsura ko,” she shared. 

Brigiding, on the other hand, opened up about her encounters with actress-entrepreneur Andrea Brillantes. The drag royalty recounted, “Nu’ng una kasi, parang laru-laro lang, ganyan. Parang ’yung normal na ginagawa namin na nagpe-perform, nag-aayos. Pero ’yung scene namin ni Andrea is ’yun ’yung parang turning point nu’ng character ko.” Her character is one to catch the audience’s attention, lending  its voice to the LGBTQIA+ community. “May pinagdadaanan sila e, especially sa love life. ’Di ba? ’Yung acceptance sa love, relationships.” 

She also attests to the talent of Drag You & Me’s leading lady, saying that Andrea easily snaps out of her real self once the camera starts rolling. “Napakagaling ni Andrea Brillantes. In fairness, na-impress ako sa kanya—’yung hindi mo siya nakikitang nagbabasa ng script or nagkakabit ng [earphones],” she continued. “Chill lang siya. Pa-Insta-Instagram lang siya, pa-Tiktok-Tiktok. Pero pagdating ng scene, biglang kabisado niya ’yung script niya.” 

According to Brigiding, the Kapamilya actress pushed her to elevate her performance, too. “Very professional [siya], so in a way, naging challenge siya sa’kin. Kailangang galingan, kailangang ibigay ’yung best and magawa ’yung role for that scene.”

Viñas Deluxe interjected, saying, “Ako naman, feeling ko, pinaka-unforgettable sa’kin is ’yung maagang call time. Wow!” she came in with an introduction. “Ako ’yung pinaka-last na na-shoot, tapos one take lang. So sabi ko, ‘ano’ng pasabog ’to?!’ Pinakadulo ko i-shoo-shoot pala. Ako ’yung pinakaunang dumating sa mga drag queens!” she bantered, driving Precious Paula Nicole and Brigiding to burst into laughter.

“Pero ang saya, kasi natuwa naman si Direk [JP Habac] du’n sa naipakita ko at ang pinakamasayang part du’n is nakapag-daldal ako sa mga nag-aantay din ng kanilang scene, so ang dami kong natutunan.” The long wait was all worthwhile, though, as Viñas Deluxe was able to talk to the industry’s finest icons. “Na-inspire ako. May mga binigay sa’king mga advice ang mga madam natin—’yung mga sanay na sanay na. Kasi this is my first, so talagang ino-observe ko lang kung ano’ng mga nangyayari sa paligid and nakakatuwa kasi ang inspiring na ‘oh my god, ginagawa ko na rin ’to.’”

On acting alongside seasoned stars

Apart from Andrea Brillantes, the show also gathered great theater, film, and television luminaries like Jon Santos, Romnick Sarmenta, and Ice Seguerra. As to how they figured in the series as first-timers, Precious Paula Nicole walked us through her experience in rubbing elbows with the show’s top star, Andrea. “Sa totoo lang, totoo ’yung sinabi ni Brigiding. Napaka-professional nu’ng batang ’yun. Napakabait. Alam mo, sobrang chill niya—’yung bigla lang siyang makikipag-joke-joke sa’yo,” she told Metro.Style. 

“As in maglalaan talaga siya ng oras para makinig sa kuwento mo. Kasi s’yempre, ’yung ginagampanan niya, as a drag queen. Kami ’yun, e. Kumbaga, nag-take time talaga siya na alamin kung ano ba ’yung talagang ginagawa namin habang nagpe-perform kami.” 

Meanwhile, Precious Paula Nicole also mentioned that while the Divine Divas were able to work with Drag Race Philippines: Untucked director Ice Seguerra, too, they didn’t have the chance to act alongside him. To compensate for this, though, the trio had the opportunity to stumble upon other veteran cast members. “Ako naman, fan na ako before pa [ni Sir Romnick Sarmenta]. Bata pa lang ako, ’yung mga movies niya, pinapanood ko na ’yun,” she added. 

“Wala rin kaming eksena together pero nu’ng pumunta siya sa dressing room namin, nanghingi siya ng video greetings kasi fan na fan daw namin ’yung anak niya na nasa Australia.” It was a valuable memory for Precious Paula Nicole. “Sobrang bait niya! Hindi ko in-expect na sobrang bait niya talaga. Alam mo ’yun? Para kaming senior sa kaniya. Parang, ‘Hello po, puwede po ba ’kong manghingi ng video greetings kasi ’yung anak ko po kasi [fan n’yo]?’ Tama ba? [Si] Romnick Sarmenta?! Ganu’n siyang magsalita? Ganu’n pala siya sa personal!”

Perhaps Romnick’s humility and professional history, according to Precious Paula Nicole, is also the same reason why he is still in showbiz up to this day. “Parang nakaka-humble siya na experience kasi ibig sabihin, kahit ganu’n na katagal sa industriya, humble pa rin sila. Kaya sila nagtagal sa kung nasa’n man sila ngayon,” she said. 

As for Viñas Deluxe, she will always treasure this acting stint that was entrusted to her. “Kakaibang experience siya, siyempre, dahil parang ‘my God, nasa series na tayo.’ Series na ’tong ginagawa natin,” she chuckled. “Wala kong nakitang ’yung mga usual [na] pino-portray sa mga TV o sa mga pelikula—’yung mga sumisigaw ’yung direktor, minumura ’yung mga [artista]. Wala akong nakitang ganu’n kaya parang, ‘ay ang sarap,’ kung ganito pala sa lahat.”

“Na-amaze din ako kung pa’no magpalakad sila Direk kasi parang walang pressure at all, ’di ba? Parang ang sarap-sarap sa set, tapos parang ang chill lang ng lahat, although nagwo-work lahat talaga na mas mapaganda ’yung mga kalalabasan.”

Brigiding, however, shared that while they didn’t have that much of an airtime with some of the Drag You & Me stars, the three of them at least had a lasting souvenir to cherish from the show. “Kami-kami lang din ’yung magkakatrabaho. Kami-kami ’yung naghaharutan sa likod, [tuwing] waiting time,” Brigiding recounted, referring to the Divine Divas’ fellow LGBT community advocates, entertainers, co-cast member KaladKaren Davila and Xilhouete, whose company they were able to enjoy. 

On drag and being a drag queen

Having done drag for 13 straight years, Precious Paula Nicole slid through our talk and told us that she totally agrees with Viñas Deluxe who was honest in saying that doing drag has provided been her source of income. “13 years ko na ’tong ginagawa. 13 years na ’kong binubuhay ng trabaho ko. But aside from that kasi, naniniwala ako dati na sa drag kasi lumalabas lahat ’yung mga secret namin na fantasy,” she fired away. “’Yung parang napanood ko ’yung ‘Toxic’ ni Britney Spears, sabi ko, ‘Sh*t, parang ako ‘yan ah,’” she recalled what she would tell herself. “So parang nu’ng nag-try na ako ng drag and sinubukan ko na lahat nu’ng fantasy ko nu’n, sabi ko, ‘Ah, ito pala ’yun. Ito pala ’yung venue. Ito ’yung magiging reason ng pagtupad ko sa mga secret ko na dreams before.’”

As to the person that she is today, Precious Paula Nicole attributes it to her childhood aspirations. She talked about the past and how her, as an aspiring drag queen dreamer, landed her well-loved passion project. “’Di ba kasi, dati, kami, kapag napanood mo, ‘Sh*t. Ay, ang galing ni Britney Spears! Ang galing ni Christina Aguilera. Parang keri ko ’yan ah.’ Kaya ko pala siya naisip at nagustuhan kasi magagawa ko siya sa future.”

Meanwhile, as for Brigiding, she made it to drag due to her strong sense of expression and creativity. She is an ever-performing person, and what she didn’t get to do in the past, she does in the present with all her might. Aside from her desire to be a drag act, also, Brigiding has this fantasy to flourish into whoever in life you wanted to become. “I think ’yung joy and satisfaction to express my creativity, I think, sa drag ko siya talaga [nakukuha].”

“Out of drag, ito lang—simple lang. As in sobrang simple ko lang out of drag. ‘’Pag naka-drag na, du’n lumalabas ’yung lahat ng arte. Lahat ng creativity mo, gusto mong ilabas doon—lahat ng drama, lahat ng fantasy mo.”

She bit her lower lip, pausing for a while. “Hindi lang siya identity. It’s my form of expression talaga na I didn’t get the chance to do or realize that I can do before. But because of drag, it taught me na there’s an avenue. There’s an outlet to do everything that you wish to do in your life.”

Precious Paula Nicole also disclosed that during a conversation with JC Alcantara, the actor asked her a mind-opening question. “Tinanong niya sa’kin: ‘Ano bang pagkakaiba mo kapag naka-drag ka tsaka hindi?’ Sabi ko, ‘Ikaw ba, ano sa tingin mo?’ Sabi ko, ‘Ako kasi, sa tingin ko, para kaming mga superhero, e, ’pag naka-drag na kami,’” she opened up. “Parang unstoppable talaga kami. Fierce talaga kaming lahat. Walang imposible!” 

She, too, noted that wearing costumes is one of the reasons why they are obsessed with drag. “Feeling namin, napaka-powerful namin, and totoo naman na ang dami rin na naniniwala sa’min lalo kapag naka-drag na kami. Lalong maraming na-a-amaze, na-me-mesmerize. Achieve!”

Despite being the queens they are, the road to becoming queer is rather a difficult path. When the divas first forayed into the drag scene, they had to defend their dreams and deal with their family, friends, and rejections. Precious Paula Nicole, for one, remembered a certain instance where she had to cut off ties with a person whom she truly loved, leaving her pained in the process. “When I was planning to enter the drag world, I was dating someone. And then, sa kanya ko unang nakuwento na gusto ko siyang gawin, gusto ko siyang subukan,” she started off.

“And then, first agad na na-receive ko sa kanya, sabi niya, ‘Kung mag-dra-drag ka, edi mag-gi-girlfriend na lang ako. ’Yun na ’yung first na rejection agad ’yung natanggap ko nu’ng mismo pa lang na pina-plan ko pa lang siyang gawin.”

Since then, though, Precious was able to reinvent herself and accept what comes her way. “Ibig sabihin nu’n, hindi ko siya puwedeng ituloy. Hindi ko puwedeng ituloy ’yung pagde-date ko sa kaniya kasi haharang siya sa mga plano ko.” 

That was her comeback. From being a back-up dancer to being a drag maven, Precious Paula Nicole made sure to tell her stories, dreams, and desires only to those who are truly open to listening and hearing her out. What she loves, she will pursue, and drag has always been the plan.

Brigiding, who used to dabble in theater, talked about how she became confident in her own skin. “’Yung parents ko and family ko, ever since, very supportive simula nu’ng high school. Nu’ng nalaman ni Papa ko na bading ako, nag-in din siya. Sinuportahan niya na daw ako du’n sa artistry ko kasi nakita niya na mahilig akong kumanta, mahilig akong sumayaw, mag-perform,” she opened up. “Du’n niya ako in-equip kasi nga, iniisip niya na ‘’pag babading-bading ka, aapihin ka.’ S’yempre nu’ng panahon nila, ganu’n pa ’yung storyline kapag bading ka, ’di ba? So since then, hindi naman ako nahirapan na ‘ay, ito po ’yung trabaho ko.’”

Viñas Deluxe caught up with their stories, saying that she was first inspired by Paolo Ballesteros, who is fond of doing drag makeup and wearing the most fashionable costumes. “Every day, naka-drag siya. So parang ’yun lang ’yung ine-explain ko sa kanila. ‘Ayan, o, ganyan lang din ’yung ginagawa ko,’” she shared. “Parang hindi naman sila tumutol, pero hindi din naman sila sobrang supportive agad nu’ng umpisa. Pero nu’ng ngayon, nu’ng nakikita na nila ako sa TV, supportive na sila! Nu’ng nakakapagpadala na ako, ayan, mahal na nila ako. Chareng!”

Read the rest of our conversation with the drag queens below:

[To Precious] You have since been a performer. You were a dancer prior to being in the drag scene. How did your previous profession aid you in acting? 

Precious: Nu’ng performer pa lang ako, as a dancer, actually ang ginagawa ko dati po, mga cultural dances. Kunwari, may mga wedding dance na kailangan ipo-portray mo talaga na ikaw ’yung ikakasal, kailangan makita ’yun sa mukha mo kasi walang lines. Makikita ’yun sa expression ng mukha mo, sa movements mo.

So nu’ng bata pa lang ako, itinuro na ’yan sa’min—na kailangan storyteller tayo as a performer sa stage, dapat nararamdaman ng mga tao. Kahit walang music, makikita nila kung ano ba talaga ’yung ibig sabihin ng ginagawa mo. Ano ba ’yung meaning ng song? Ano ba ’yung meaning ng pine-perform mo? So pagdating ko rin sa drag, nadala ko naman na ’yun. Nadala ko na ’yung training na ’yun. Alangan namang galit ’yung song tapos nakangiti ka, ’di ba?! Parang ganu’n. Minsan, may mga obvious na bagay naman na dapat mo nang gawin na noon pa pala, naituturo na sa’kin na a-a-apply ko na ngayon.

At saka to be honest po talaga, wala po talaga kaming halos ginawang pag-arte dito sa Drag You & Me kasi kaming-kami rin talaga ’yung character. Feeling ko kapag umarte kami, parang lalayo kami du’n sa character na pino-portray namin kasi feeling ko talaga, ginawa ’yung character na ’yun para talaga sa amin, at walang puwedeng ibang gumawa nu’n.

[To Brigiding and Viñas] Since you two are Communication Arts graduates, what talent or skills have you developed during your college years have you come to make use of in making people laugh and performing for an audience?

Brigiding: Ako, since high school to college, I’ve been doing theater, so sobrang important sa’kin ’yung stage presence, ’yung pagpe-perform sa harap ng maraming tao—in all aspect. Kasi ’pag sinabing theater, lalo na kapag school or college, ’di ba, kailangan dadaanan mo lahat—acting, directing, production design, dancing, choreography. So I think lahat ’yun, nag-contribute to becoming the drag queen that I am kasi gusto kong ituloy ’yung pagte-teatro, e, pero I want to be gay, I want to be fabulous, I want to express more. So ’yun ’yung mga ginamit ko to become a drag queen. And then those talents as well, ’yun ’yung nagamit ko naman dito sa Drag You & Me. 

Viñas: Ako naman, wala talagang natulong ’yung background ko. Chos! Natural na ’to lahat. Hindi, s’yempre nagte-theater din ako nu’ng college, tapos nu’ng high school, nagte-teatro rin ako. So madami din akong nagamit na mga usual naming mga exercises du’n like improv. Kasi minsan, may improv din kami sa mga scenes dito katulad ng ‘find your light,’ ‘find your camera.’ Dapat marunong kang umanggulo. Kaya medyo hindi na rin nahirapan sa’min si Direk kasi ’yung mga bagay na as simple as that, medyo alam na rin namin.

What is your most memorable show to date? Do you have a specific place that you love performing in?

Precious: Ako, most memorable show ko, siyempre ’yung concert naming tatlo nito—ng Divine Divas.

Brigiding: Yeah!

Precious: Isa kasi ’yun sa talaga namang ‘achieve!’ Favorite kong place to perform? O Bar, of course, kasi diyan naman ako talaga nahasa kasi diyan ako nagsimula. Diyan ko nabuo si Precious Paula Nicole sa tulong ng mga tao sa paligid ko na sumusuporta sa’kin before—’yung mga senior na mga drag queens doon, tsaka ito, sila Brigiding, sila Viñas. Du’n din kasi kami nagkakila-kilala, e. Du’n kami naging magkakatrabaho. Tapos isa sa mga favorites ko rin na place, of course, ang Empty Stomach. Du’n nabuo ’yung tinatawag namin na Divotos na mga supporters namin, ng Divine Divas.

In drag, how do you handle heckling or being booed at? Have you ever experienced that?

Precious: Ako, hindi pa ako na-boo, pero may isang beses na [may] nagmura habang nagpe-perform ako ng slow song. S’yempre, bigla akong ‘sino ’yon?!’ Talagang narinig ko na nagmura pa. ’Yun pala, lasing siya. Tapos ang ginawa ko, habang nagpe-perform ako, pinapaalis ko siya. Tinuturo-turo ko, ganu’n. ‘Labas.’ As in talagang nagko-command ako kung sino man ’yung puwedeng magpalabas sa kanya kasi medyo hindi na rin maganda ’yung ginagawa niya. Nagulat din ako, e. ‘Aba, ba’t ka nagmumura, girl? Hindi naman kita inaaway!’

Viñas: Ako naman, once, nag-perform ako sa bar na parang straight bar siya pero parang gusto nilang i-convert into a gay club. So ’yung mga nagpupunta, mga straight pa rin, ta’s naloloka sila sa drag queen. Parang hindi sila cultured. Ayun, may nambato sa’kin ng yelo while I was on stage, pero hindi ako tinamaan. Hindi ko rin nakita. Sa video lang nakita. Buti naman, ’yung bar owner, sila na mismo ’yung nag-escort du’n sa gumawa nu’n palabas. Hindi ko rin alam pa’no iha-handle, e, pero just do you. The show must go on, and kung ganu’n man, it’s an experience, ’di ba, na babauunin mo at ikukuwento mo someday kapag may nag-interview sa’yo katulad ngayon. 

Brigiding: Ako, wala. Wala pa naman akong na-experience na nag-boo or kung mayru’n man siguro, makakalimutin kasi talaga rin ako. And things like that are the things that I don’t want to be remembering kung mangyari man siya. Pero for sure, some time before, sa O Bar, may mga ganu’n talaga. May mga time na hindi ka pinapansin kahit na nasa harapan ka na. Pero I think, it’s improving, ’di ba? That’s a form of disrespect kasi, e, na parang you’re performing in front of people then they’re not watching because they’re focused on drinking or flirting with somebody else. But I think, we’re in times ngayon na improving na siya so ’yung mga ganu’ng things, perspective na lang din—how do you look at it and how do you react to it? Wala, hindi siya nag-mark sa’kin. Hindi ko siya inisip. So wala, it didn’t make any effect on me.

What misconception about drag culture do you wish to shed light on?

Viñas: That drag is easy! Kasi madami ngayon, especially mga baby queens, parang ’pag pumasok sila sa drag industry, parang kinakalimutan na mag-rehearse, magkabisado ng lines. Akala nila ganu’n siya kadali. ’Yun ’yung lagi kong tinuturo sa mga bago kong nakaka-work, na ‘kailangan mong mag-rehearse, kailangan mong matuto—pagdaanan lahat ’yun—kung gusto mong maging someone in the industry.’ Drag is for everyone, pero ayun lang, mahirap lang para sa iba.

Precious: Totoo! Ako, nu’ng nag-start po ako sa O Bar, every day before the show, mayru’n kaming dance class. After ng dance class, rehearsals. After rehearsal, technical rehearsal with costumes and lights. ’Tsaka ka pa lang makakapag-makeup at magsho-show. Totoo ’yun. Kailangan talaga siya ng oras na gugugulin. Hindi siya ’yung parang ‘ay, gusto kong mag-drag, magme-makeup ako, magpe-perform na ako.’ Hindi, e. Para ka ring nag-aaral niyan talaga. As in it’s a never-ending learning journey and process kapag nagda-drag ka. Nag-e-evolve ang music, nag-e-evolve ang mga songs. Dapat sumasabay ka rin. Hindi puwede na petiks ka lang. Kailangan talaga, isinasapuso at isinasaisip ang drag. Hindi lang siya ’yung, ‘ay, keri ko ’yan!’ Alam mo ’yun? Mahabang-mahabang proseso siya.

Brigiding: Ako, I think for me, in time for Pride [Month] and in time din sa mga nangyayaring drag ban sa US—sa Tennessee—drag is not a crime, ’di ba? We’re just people living our best lives. We just want to perform. We want to entertain. We just want to live our fantasies. Please don’t hate us! We don’t want to hate. We don’t want hate. We don’t want to be discriminated. We’re doing this for acceptance or love, and I think ’yun naman ’yung pinakamagandang antidote for discrimination, e—love them and accept them and show them the beauty of drag. 

As actors and performers, you always entertain people, but personally, what entertains you?

Viñas: Boys! Charot.

Precious: Ito, itong dalawa! Lagi akong na-e-entertain dito sa dalawa. ’Pag kaming tatlo ’yung magkakausap, tawa kami nang tawa. Ta’s bukod du’n, mahilig kasi akong manood ng mga movies. Favorite ko si Kathryn [Bernardo], si Angel Locsin. Du’n ako kumukuha minsan ng mga banat ko sa show—inspiration ba—sa mga movies, sa Netflix.

Viñas: Traveling, s’yempre. ’Pag nakakapag-chill sa beach or sa ibang bansa, ta’s makakapag-shop ka after mong mag-work nang sobrang bonggang-bongga, makakapagpahinga. Du’n ako nag-e-enjoy.

Brigiding: Ako ngayon, nag-e-enjoy ako sa mga anak ko. Kasi ’di ba, nagkaroon ako bigla ng tatlong anak in the span of 7 or 8 months. It is a real joy to me! Para akong may mga laruan na pinagra-rambol rambol ko lang ’pag nandito kami sa bahay lagi. Basta sila ’yung joy ko ngayon, providing them the best drag life that they can learn from me. And then soon, they can go on their own.

Lead photos from @divinedivasph