Tens, tens, tens across the board!
Ballroom culture pioneered the formation of various “houses”—one of the many similarities that are shared by both ballroom and drag. A house offers a sense of family and community; hence, the presence of a “drag mother” or “drag daughter”.
Whether you’re new to the wonderful world of drag or a seasoned fan, start your engines and immerse yourselves in the glamorous scene of Cebuano drag.
On the Haus of Rena1ssance
There was an organic flow to the formation of the Haus of Rena1ssance. What started out as a house consisting of just 4 queens working together, the Haus of Rena1ssance later grew into having seven, and now ten queens. When asked about their backstory, the queens had this to say:
“All our visions and principles aligned and the universe found a way for us to find each other to create this Haus that birthed a new era of Cebu drag.”
“A Haus that is passionate about constantly pushing and elevating what it is to be a Cebuano drag artist,” they said.
On the Different Acts of the Haus
It’s undeniable that the queens enjoy a little theatrics themselves. Having acts is an integral part when it comes to storytelling, and a three-part act specifically is commonly used in stories and plays. “Every act represents the state we are in when we are releasing them,” the queens shared.
Concepts can make or break any act—but since it’s a drag act, we expect it to be nothing short of extravagant. When asked about the concept behind every act that is released thus far, Haus of Rena1ssance explains:
ACT I: RENAISSANCE represents the rebirth of the group and the intention to begin a new era.
ACT II: THE HEROINES/REBIRTH lets the queens who formed the group shine and show their intention to breathe new life into the Cebuano drag scene.
ACT III: GROWTH represents their growth as artists both individually and as a collective. A showcase of a beautiful transformation meant for greater heights—just like a butterfly. And this is just the beginning.
“There will be more “acts” in the future because as creatives, it is our promise to continue to push the boundaries of what Cebuano artistry should be,” they added.
RU-VEAL YOURSELF: Get to Know All Ten Queens
In this special segment, we asked all ten queens the same set of questions—all fit for a (drag) queen. Gentlemen, start your engines and meet the ten queens that birthed a new era of Cebu drag.
LESLIE VERSACE
Don’t let her silence fool you. She’s a wild ride waiting to happen.
With a name that does not conform to a specific gender, Leslie is a queen that simply celebrates the spectrum of queerness. She’s shy, but she eats up every performance. She’s humble, but she tells you how it is despite the short time she’s only been doing drag.
Inspired by Krystal Versace’s charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, this baby queen from the Haus of Rena1ssance is all about being fabulous and gorgeous, making her dreams a reality one wig at a time. When you think of Leslie, you think of someone who is Fierce, Approachable, and Acrobatic.
When asked about her favorite drag phrase of all time, Leslie chose the classic, in true Rupaul spirit quote: “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?”
KAT PHISCHEUR
She’s real, she’s here, and she’s ready to slay. Say yes to this Cebuana because you really need her.
A play on the word “catfisher” this pioneer drew inspiration from her online dating endeavors and the idea that in drag, she is presenting herself as someone she’s not. The three words that would best describe her drag would be “rooted in culture”—whether it be in the songs she performs or in the looks she comes up with, there’s always a conscious decision to highlight Cebu and the Philippines.
“I like to always find a way to root everything I do in drag to my culture,” Kat claims.
When you think of Kat Phischeur: Fashion, Culture, and Class always come to mind. This queen always delivers.
When asked about her favorite drag phrase of all time, Kat shares: “Everything that came out of Alyssa Edwards’s mouth is a favorite. A notable example would be, “Why the hell you squirpping like a chirrrping, like a bird?”
THELIARA
She’s strong, competitive and likes to try new things. She’s Theliara—unique and beautiful, just like a tiara!
The name amalgamates two of her Matriarchal inspirations: The Mother ‘Thelma’ who’s the source of it all and her drag epochal, ‘Plastique Tiara’, the standard. Theliara is not just a name, she is a presence, an existence, and above all, an experience.
Her drag and personal lives are simple. “My pronouns are he/him when not in drag but she/her when in drag,” she shared.
The three words that would best describe her artistry would be: Fierce, Vivacious, and Creative. When you think of Theliara, what immediately comes to mind? A queen, indeed!
She lives by her favorite drag phrase of all time: “We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag” (courtesy of Rupaul, of course).
AKIKO BROWN
If laughter is the best medicine, well, the doctor is in. This is Akiko Brown and she’s here to tickle your funny bones and give you some dosage of gags and laughs.
Discovered first by her first drag mother, Edgar Abejo, Akiko was named after a small Japanese doll that is full of fun and happiness. She completed her name with ‘Brown’, representing her natural skin color.
“Akiko Brown symbolizes the beautiful color of my skin, which is a testament that drag knows no skin color or race, it’s all about you and your talent.” The three words that would best describe her artistry would be: Camp, Sassy, and Fabulous. When you think of Akiko Brown, what immediately comes to mind? A rising star!
Akiko shares, “My favorite drag phrase is “adore” because I’m clearly adorable muachh.”
LEDDA MARMALADE
We know you love her, but she loves herself more.
The name ‘Ledda Marmalade’ comes from the song “Lady Marmalade”, a song we’re all clearly familiar with, and a name that reveals her true identity as an artist and a performer. When you think of the name Ledda, what comes to mind? She’s the Dancing Diva, her fellow queens jokingly but proudly call her Cebu’s Beyoncé.
Ledda’s drag is all about self-love in spite of the many instances her care for people cost her. It was in drag she discovered to prioritize herself more, making way for the “conceited” brand. She’s conceited, but she has a heart of gold. Ledda is equal parts Glamour, Conceitedness, and Grace.
Her favorite drag phrase of all time is one by the gorgeous Valentina: “I don’t want to be a star. I want to show the star that I am.”
LETINA LYCCAH
Did you call the icon? Get ready, because it’s going to be a wild ride with this show stopping diva.
Obsessed with the beauty of the women from Latin America—the powerhouse of pageantry, Letina coined her name from that of “Latina”, a name that exudes unparalleled fierceness and unmatched sex appeal. The latter part of her name, on the other hand, was inspired by a Filipino teleserye whose main character was called Lyccah.
She’s known to be the most experienced queen in the haus because of the years she’s devoured countless stages showing not only her artistry but also her performing prowess—the three words that would best describe this queen would be: Concept, Showstopping, and Original. When you think of Letina, what comes to your minds?
“A LEGEND or as the kids would say nowadays, legendaaaaary! Any drag is not complete if you don’t experience the Letina Lyccah show,” she proudly shares.
Her favorite drag phrase of all time? “We were all born naked and the rest is drag. Can I get an ameeeeeen up in here?” by none other than Rupaul.
NATHALIA BRIANNA LOREI
She’s young, wild, and iconic. Gird your loins, it’s Cebu’s next fashion icon, Nathalia.
With a name that extends its origin from Latin America, Nathalia took inspiration from the women there; women who exude both sex appeal and class—words that also define her overall persona.
She is all about fashion and style, creating magic with every fabric her hands can lay on. She is the Face, the Look, and the Body, so don’t let her youth trick you into thinking this baby queen can’t serve. When you think of Nathalia, what immediately comes to mind? A drag fashion icon, I’m sure!
Her favorite drag phrase of all time is one by Naomi Smalls, “They try to put me on the cover of Vogue but my legs are too long.”
GEORGINA WALES
Hail your royal dragness, Georgina Wales, the nth princess of Wales.
Her name is a combination of fierce and grace—inspired by Georgina Wilson and Princess Diana the Princess of Wales—Georgina Wales was brought to life.
Don’t get fooled by this queen who exudes sophistication, elegance and poise, because when she performs it’s always fierce and a whole lotta sex. The three words to describe her artistry would be: Sophistication, Seduction, and Burlesque. Georgina Wales, your Royal Dragness.
When asked about her favorite drag phrase, Georgina shares: “One of my favorite drag catchphrases of all time is “What do you do successfully. Quickly!” That was during an “Untucked” episode in response to Trinity K. Bonet expressing that she felt overlooked by the judges, Bianca clapped back with, “Let me ask you a fair question. What do you do successfully?” and before Trinity had time to respond, Del Rio followed it up with, “Quickly”.
MORPHA
Do you want more? Just say her name and she’ll give you more.
From the root word “morph” which means to transform, Morpha was brought to life. She embodies the kind of drag in the Haus of Rena1ssance that does not conform to a single mold—she transforms and explores. The three words that would best describe her artistry are the Concept, the Visual, and the overall Aesthetic.
She’s a self-proclaimed make-up artist, face/body painter, and a drag queen. Her style is heavily based on concepts that are mostly inspired by the deconstructed elements of the history of fashion.
Her favorite drag phrase of all time is one by Naomi Smalls, but originally by Naomi Campbell, “Check your lipstick before you come and talk to me” and Violet Chachki’s “To serve a look is a talent”.
SODA POP
Pop the can, and feed the children! It’s Soda Pop!
As the latest—but definitely not the least—addition to the Haus of Rena1ssance, this queen prefers being called “Soda”, claiming her government name is too macho. This fizzy, highly flavored queen has always been a huge enthusiast towards anything vintage, and how the burlesque scene took a huge influence on her artistry. Christina Aguilera, move over. When you think of Soda: Class, Sex, and Burlesque surely come to mind.
“I lean towards Violet Chachki, Dita Von Teese, Sasha Velour, Bianca del Rio, and all female figures in life in fueling my artistic vision and pride,” said Soda.
Soda Pop will always be associated with the vintage sleek black-leathered kinky Christian woman.
When asked about her favorite drag phrase of all time, Soda shares: “I have to say it’s Bianca del Rio’s “What do you do successfully, quickly” towards Trinity K. Bonet. Considering that Bianca is a quick-witted queen, the shade that oozes out from that sentence is giving me the energy to be a shady b*tch.
Photography Jon Unson | Headpieces & Accessories Le Doré by Louie Gallego | Location Nest Workspaces
