Trans pinay drag performer wins Drag Race PH Season 2

Captivating Katkat of Ilocos Sur was crowned champion of Drag Race Philippines Season 2 and the next “Philippines’ Drag Superstar” at the season finale aired on October 4 on HBO Go and WOW Presents Plus. The trans drag performer succeeded first season winner Precious Paula Nicole who was present to pass on the crown.

Katkat’s win follows another unprecedented moment in the show’s history where her fellow trans contestants Bernie Barrantes and M1ss Jade So of Mandaluyong and Marikina respectively made it to the top four along with Arizona Brandy from Cubao, Makati.

During the finale, a semi-final lip-sync challenge took place and the names were chosen randomly through a wheel roulette of their faces.

In the first semi-final round, Katkat faced off with Bernie with their performance of “Just What They Want” by RuPaul Charles while Brandy and Jade So performed RuPaul’s “Who is She?” in the second round. Both Bernie and Jade So were eliminated after Katkat and Brandy were the winners of their respective rounds.

In the final round, Katkat and Brandy lip-synced to “Kapangyarihan" by disbanded boy group iDolls from Idol Philippines Season 1, where Katkat emerged as the victor while Brandy was placed first runner-up.

The 42-year-old drag performer who didn’t disclose her age in previous episodes reacted after her coronation: “Don’t ever give up reaching for your dreams. Go! Laban, trans!”

On top of the title, she was awarded P1 million by live streaming app Kumu and supplied with one year's worth of makeup products from Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics & Beauty.

Cebuana drag queens Nicole Pardaux of Cebu City and Minginilia-born but now Hong-Kong-based Veruschka Levels were placed at 11th and 9th place, respectively, this season.

Meanwhile, Hana Beshie of Cagayan De Oro was voted by co-contestants as this season’s Miss Congeniality. Beshie won P40,000 in cash as the new titleholder.

Known for her friendly attitude and ability to get along with her fellow contestants with barely any drama, she said, “I would never trade this experience for anything. And I can say that I can’t imagine experiencing this [season] without the sisters I met here.”

Bread and butter

During the season’s penultimate episode where the top six finalists had a conversation with the show’s host Paolo Ballesteros aka Mama Pau and Frontline Pilipinas anchor and judge KaladKaren, Katkat wanted to showcase a new version of herself after previously gaining an infamous reputation in the Filipino drag scene.

“That’s always their first impression of me: a bitch, a monster, has a bad attitude. I can’t blame them because that’s who I was before. But they don’t know that people change. I entered the race because I want the viewers to know that I am not the old Katkat anymore. Whenever they see it on the show is the real me. Whether they like me or not, that’s on them,” she said.

When asked by Ballesteros why she deserves to be the show’s next drag superstar, Katkat responded: “I have been doing drag for 22 years and I’ve sacrificed so much. All the judgment, all the mistreatment, all the insults like 'You’re old,' You’re past your prime.' But I am still here and I am still fighting.”

She added, “Drag is my bread and butter and it’s not just a passion for me, not just art, not just my escape. Drag is my life. This is what shaped my being, this is what fed my family and this is what fulfilled and will continue to fulfill my dreams.”