Pura Luka Vega says 'Lord's prayer' performance wasn't meant to be disrespectful

Pura Luka Vega’s drag performance of the “Ama Namin” remix has gone viral since it was uploaded on Twitter three days ago.

Politicians, several known personalities, and regular netizens have aired out their two cents on the controversial performance. 

On Twitter Space, the drag queen explained it is her “way of actually praising God" and added she will not apologize.

Speaking to GMA News Online, Pura said on Thursday morning that her "intent was to embody a version of Christ that is one with the queer audience."

According to Pura, the "Ama Namin" remix wasn't meant to be disrespectful.

“I deliberately chose the rock version to somehow connect with the audience at the time," Pura said, adding she personally “felt connected with the song for its message.”

“The ‘Ama Namin’ song, which is a beautiful song, is a Filipino translation of the Lord’s Prayer,” she said.

“Although lifted from the Gospel of Matthew and Luke, there had been various translations,” she continued. 

The song, according to Pura, is her way to reconcile her Catholic faith with her queerness, and performing it in public is an “embodiment of God’s love for all.”

“People have weaponized the Bible to go against the LGBTQIA+ community, referencing scriptures to deny us basic human rights,” Pura said.

“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,” she added.

While Pura believes she has free pass to creative freedom, the drag artist knows "how people would interpret and perceive my performance is beyond my control, especially when social media comes into play."

Several politicians have called Pura's performance "offensive," including Senate President Miguel Zubiri who said, "This is the height of the misuse and abuse of our freedom of expression that borders on criminal activity." He warned that a criminal case can be filed under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito described the Filipino drag queen’s video as “blasphemy" and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said, “This is exactly what will destroy our society."

A known LGBT+ ally, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Pura's performance was "regrettable."

The drag queen said she is "open to listening to constructive criticisms as any artist would when they create their art. These will also improve [my] craft.” 

“After all, the artist’s role in society is to create and express ideas and emotions that wouldn’t otherwise be communicated,” she added.

On Twitter Thursday afternoon, Pura said she understood "that people call my performance blasphemous, offensive or regrettable."

"However, they shouldn’t tell me how I practice my faith or how I do my drag. That performance was not for you to begin with. It is my experience and my expression, of having been denied my rights," she said.

As of writing, Pura’s video of her "Ama Namin" remix performance has already amassed over 17.4 million views on Twitter.

Pura Luka Vega was among the cast of the first season of “Drag Den Philippines,” where she placed 8th.

— LA, GMA Integrated News