'Drag Den Philippines' premiere night: 5 fun things that went down

Ahead of its airing on Prime Video, Drag Den Philippines staged a premiere night on Tuesday, and let us tell you: It was a party like no other.

Its eight beautiful competing queens each had a red carpet moment, with personalities like Sassa Gurl joining the fun. Manila Luzon could only make her presence felt through a video message but no matter, "Drag Den" previewed its first episode to much aplomb 

Below, we share with you five incredible moments that went down at the "Drag Den Philippines" premiere night.

1. Fabulous well-thought-out drag outfits

Each of the eight competing queens arrived on the red carpet with a representation of their "best drag."

Lady Gagita impersonated Lyn from Las Vegas, while Pura Luka Vega walked on the runway like a high fashion magazine editor, Miranda Priestly. O-A, on the other hand, was a human banana, while Shewarma dripped in gold like an Egyptian queen.

Meanwhile, Barbie-Q showed off her extraterrestrial floral and neon-themed number, Maria Cristina as an expensive evil queen, Aries Night as a true-blue pageant queen, and last but not least, NAIA as a glamorous Hollywood celebrity.

A closer look at @dragdenph kweens part 2 #DragDenPHPremiereNight pic.twitter.com/fRN6FLKM1D

— Hermes Joy Tunac (@hermes_tunac) December 6, 2022

2. "Drag Runner" Sassa Gurl channeling her "pa-sweet" side

We all know Sassa Gurl for her lovable, real-talk, kanal persona but at the premiere, the content creator channeled her pa-tweetums side. 

Wearing a black and blue off-shoulder number, Sassa said "ang eksena natin dito ay pa-sweet lang"  at the premiere night. 

Ang drag runner ay naglalakad! Emiii #DragDenPHPremiereNight pic.twitter.com/cCyTbxBoa7

— Drag Den Philippines (@dragdenph) December 6, 2022

3. It all started with a prayer

No, we don't mean Madonna. The program started with real, actual prayer. Antoinette Jadaone, who is one of the directors for the upcoming show, started the premiere night with a heartfelt prayer of gratitude.

“After three years of waiting, pinarating Ninyo kami sa araw na ito. Thank you for this night. I know in your eyes, where we're from, whatever we believe in, whatever our SOGIE may be, we are all equal in your eyes," Jadaone said in the prayer.

Ito ang dasal namin kanina sa #DragDenPHPremiereNight. Lord, Kayo na po bahala ah. pic.twitter.com/zaiim85oZ6

— Toñet (@tonetjadaone) December 6, 2022

4. Sassa Gurl's promise, kept

In a recent episode of "The Mangahas Interviews," Sassa Gurl gave a preview of the show and said it was going to be “very Filipino.”  She wasn't lying.

The first episode of "Drag Den" was screened at the premiere night and we can safely say it truly represented the Philippines and our culture. The runway challenges involved Philippine national symbols and even fiesta-themed costumes.

And much like what Sassa Gurl said about the show having social commentaries, the first episode didn't shy away from discussing politics, patriotic challenges, and sociocultural issues in the Philippines. Mind you, this was just the first episode.

5. A groundbreaking standing ovation

Drag's time is now, and this, right here, is the peak of Philippine drag. After airing the first episode of "Drag Den Philippines," guests couldn't help but show admiration for the show with a groundbreaking standing ovation.

After the premiere episode.... ???????????? Welcome to Drag Den! ????#DragDenPHPremiereNight pic.twitter.com/EoFex1FWLv

— Drag Den Philippines (@dragdenph) December 6, 2022

"Drag Den Philippines" will air on Prime Video on December 8.

And as they say, dragdagulan na! — LA, GMA Integrated News