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Manila Luzon calls for donations for Pura Luka Vega's bail
Manila Luzon took to Instagram to send out a call for donations for Pura Luka Vega’s bail.
Pura has been held under the custody of the Manila Police District Station 3 in Quiapo, Manila since Wednesday. The drag artist was arrested following his controversial performance of the “Ama Namin” remix dressed in a costume inspired by the Black Nazarene.
Devotees of the Black Nazarene, Hijos del Nazareno, filed the case against Pura, saying that they violated Revised Penal Code Article 201 and that they attacked the religious beliefs of the devotees. A P72,000 is the bail set for the case.
With this, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum and “Drag Den Philippines” host Manila used her platform to call for donations.
“The Art of Drag in the Philippines is under attack,” she said on Instagram.
“Today, October 4, 2023, @puralukavega from @dragdenph was arrested by the Philippine National Police for violating Article 201 — ‘immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows.’ Drag is NOT a crime!” she added with the hashtag #FreePuraLukaVega.
Manila also posted the donation QR codes and account numbers to raise funds for Pura’s bail.
In an interview on “24 Oras,” Pura said they were surprised about the warrant of arrest, did not receive a subpoena.
Pura Luka Vega, born Amadeus Fernando Pagente, was previously declared as persona non grata in the City of Manila, General Santos City, Floridablanca in Pampanga, and Toboso in Negros Occidental.
In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, the drag artist said that their "Ama Namin" performance wasn't meant to be disrespectful and that the song was a way to reconcile their Catholic faith with their queerness. Performing it in public is an "embodiment of God's love for all."
"I just want to create a narrative that despite all of these, Jesus, as the embodiment of God's love for all, does not forget about the oppressed, including the LGBTQIA+ community," they said.
The “Drag Den” contestant also said they understood "that people call my performance blasphemous, offensive or regrettable."
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri previously said that Pura Luka Vega may face criminal charges.
—Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
