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Pura Luka Vega

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Magallanes and the surname or paternal family name is Pagente.
Pura Luka Vega
Pagente (out of drag) in 2024
Born
Amadeus Fernando Magallanes Pagente

(1990-02-27) February 27, 1990 (age 34)[1]
NationalityFilipino
EducationPhilippine Normal University (BA)[2]
De La Salle University (MA)[2]
Occupations
Years active2017–present
Notable workAma Namin drag performance (2023)
TelevisionDrag Den (contestant; season 1)

Amadeus Fernando Magallanes Pagente[3] (born February 27, 1990),[1] better known by their stage name Pura Luka Vega, is a Filipino drag performer. They[a] were a Drag Den contestant. In 2023, they came into public attention for a drag performance dressed as Jesus Christ to the tune of a remix of the Tagalog language version of the Lord's Prayer.

Early life and education

[edit]

They were born as Amadeus Fernando Pagente to a Filipino mother and a British father.[4] They grew up in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte.[2] In high school, they began to become aware of their queer identity but did not feel any strong attraction towards any specific sex so they had a typical experience for a teenager. Luka would move to Manila to attend the Philippine Normal University, where they took up education as their undergraduate course.[2]

After graduating from the Philippine Normal University, they would return to Dipolog where they taught for four years. They would return to Manila to study at the De La Salle University to pursue a master's degree.[2]

Drag career

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2017–2022: Early years and style

[edit]

Pagente's exposure to drag began when they were attending college in Manila, and started doing drag after they first saw a female cosplayer dressed up as the Joker. They explored their gender by doing female impersonations and reading children's books to kids. A year later they joined a competition which they won while dressing up as Marie Antoinette with a severed head – they consider this event as their debut in drag.[2]

They would join the Nectar Nightclub Drag Cartel in October 2017. Luka initially did not have a beard, but started sporting one to challenge the conventional drag standards and believes it's not restricted to just one gender.[5] They also believe in the stance that "drag is political", that practicing artform is inherently expressing a political statement.[6] Their drag name comes from the name of beauty queen Pura Villanueva Kalaw, a Tagalog word luka-luka which means crazy, and the name of singer Suzanne Vega.[7]

On November 17, 2022, Luka was revealed as one of the contestants competing in the first season of Drag Den.[8] Despite never winning a challenge, they finished last in the competition with 87.2 as their final score of the series, and was given the consolation prize of "Miss Fortune Award" or "Ranked Last But Still Served" at the end of the series.[9]

[edit]
Pura Luka Vega dressed in drag as Sabrina Carpenter for Halloween 2024.

In mid-2023, Luka's performance of a rock remix of "Ama Namin" (transl. Our Father) song while in a Jesus-inspired outfit in a bar was subject to controversy.[10][11] Luka claimed that they did the performance as a means to challenge the notion of "praise and worship" and not intended as an act of blasphemy.[10] The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines saw the performance as "bordering" profanity, blasphemy and sacrilege, iterating its stance that "religious symbols and imagery are not for entertainment purposes".[12] The Philippines for Jesus Movement, a coalition of Christian groups, on their part filed charges against them for alleged violation of the Revised Penal Code and Cybercrime Prevention Act.[13]

Nevertheless, Christian church religious leaders, some members of the Senate, and a number of LGBTQIA+ groups in the Visayas[14][15] condemned the act as blasphemous,[10] while eighteen local government units (Floridablanca, Pampanga;[16] General Santos;[17] Toboso, Negros Occidental;[18] Manila;[19] Bukidnon;[20] Laguna;[21] Cagayan de Oro;[22] Nueva Ecija;[23] Cebu City, Cebu;[24] the Dinagat Islands;[24] Occidental Mindoro;[24] Lucena, Quezon;[25] Bohol;[26] Mandaue, Cebu;[26] Palawan;[27] Oriental Mindoro;[28] Apalit, Pampanga,[29] and Malolos, Bulacan;[30] in respective order) have declared Luka as a persona non grata.

Luka has shrugged off the persona non grata declarations and made a drag performance revolving around it. They sang "Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift while in Black Nazarene-themed attire. They maintained that the separation of church and state must be upheld.[31] The drag performer started a fundraiser from their supporters to cover their expenses in their pending legal cases as a result of the controversy.[32]

On October 4, 2023, Luka was arrested by the Manila PNP acting on a complaint by the Hijos del Nazareno. The arrest was regarding their case involving "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows", in breach of Article 201 of the Criminal Code.[33][34] Human Rights Watch accused Philippine authorities of violating Luka's right to free expression, and called for charges against them to be dropped and for them to be released from custody.[34] They faced new criminal raps in violation of Article 133 ("acts notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful")[35] of the Revised Penal Code filed against them by Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas, Inc. in October of the same year.[36] On February 29, 2024, Luka was arrested for six counts of Violation of Article 201 (immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibition, and indecent shows) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 after losing a Quezon City court suit with the Philippines for Jesus, a sectarian movement founded by pastor Eddie Villanueva.[37]

Personal life

[edit]

Pagente does not identify with any gender label, saying that the closest label for themselves is non-binary. They consider themselves as gender nonconforming or gender apathetic,[5] and prefers they/them pronouns but uses any.[11] Luka identifies as a Roman Catholic but "not religious".[10] In Drag Den, they expressed dissent against the idea "that the LGBTQIA+ community will go to hell for being gay" insisting that if "Jesus was alive, he would love everyone".[38]

Discography

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Promotional singles

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List of promotional singles, showing the year released, and album name
Title Year Album Ref.
"May Kapa"
with the cast of Drag Den (season 1) 		2023 Non-album promotional single [39]

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
List of television credits
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Drag Den (season 1) Themselves/Contestant 8th place [40]
2023 Mudrakels Themselves/Contestant [41]
2024 Drag Den (season 2) Themselves/Judge Drag Agent [citation needed]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Pagente's does not identify with any gender label, but prefers the pronouns they/them. This article uses they/them pronouns for consistency.

References

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  1. ^ a b Mallorca, Hannah (February 29, 2024). "Pura Luka Vega arrested anew after fresh complaint from religious group". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "The true history of Pura Luka Vega, in their own words". ANC. October 5, 2023. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  3. ^ Cabayan, Itchie (March 1, 2024). "Drag Queen Pura Luka Vega Rearrested | Journal Online". Journal Online. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  4. ^ Tividad, Maria (August 30, 2023). "Pura Luka Vega also unwelcome in Oriental Mindoro". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Enriquez, Em (January 11, 2023). "Pura Luka Vega Is Living Proof That Gender Is a Construct That Needs to Be Broken Down". Preview.ph. Summit Network. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  6. ^ Lago, Amanda (January 28, 2023). "Can drag be too political? The queens of 'Drag Den' weigh in". Rappler. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  7. ^ Samonte, Jujiin (December 8, 2022). "Behold Pura Luka Vega, The Blessed Lady Of Drag Den". Mega Drag. One Mega Group. Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  8. ^ Colcol, Erwin (November 19, 2022). "Get Set! Here's the Cast of the Manila Luzon-Starring "Drag Den Philippines"". Preview Philippines. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  9. ^ Manipon, Roel Hoang (January 29, 2023). "Naia soars to 'Drag Den' supremacy". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d "Drag queen: 'Ama Namin' performance meant to challenge notions of praise and worship". CNN Philippines. July 13, 2023. Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (July 16, 2023). "I'm just human, 'Jesus' drag queen tells senators". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  12. ^ "CBCP sinabing 'blasphemous' ang viral drag performance ni Pura Luka Vega: That is the prayer taught by Christ himself". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 15, 2023. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  13. ^ Nicol, Hannah (August 1, 2023). "Christian church leaders file raps vs Pura Luka Vega over viral 'Ama Namin' performance". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  14. ^ "LGBTQ+ members on drag queen's 'Ama Namin' performance: It was offensive, blasphemous". SunStar. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  15. ^ "'Local LGBT group condemns 'Ama Namin' drag act". Panay News. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  16. ^ Flora, Ian (July 25, 2023). "'Ama Namin' drag performer persona non grata in Floridablaca". SunStar. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  17. ^ Llemit, Ralph Lawrence (July 22, 2023). "GenSan declares 'Ama Namin' drag performer persona non grata". SunStar. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  18. ^ Ranara, John Patrick (August 3, 2023). "Negros Occidental town becomes third municipality to declare Pura Luka Vega as persona non grata". Philstar Life. Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  19. ^ Ong, Ghio (August 10, 2023). "Manila city council declares drag artist persona non grata". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  20. ^ Ermac, Bonita (August 11, 2023). "Bukidnon Sangguniang Panlalawigan declares Pura Luka Vega persona non grata". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "Drag artist Pura Luka Vega declared persona non grata in Laguna". ABS-CBN News. August 15, 2023. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  22. ^ Rosete, Franck Dick (August 14, 2023). "Cagayan de Oro City declares Pura Luka Vega persona non grata". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  23. ^ "Nueva Ecija declares drag queen 'persona non grata' over offensive video". Politiko (Central Luzon). August 13, 2023. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  24. ^ a b c Perez, Annie; Datu, Dennis (August 17, 2023). "Pura Luka Vega persona non grata in Cebu, Dinagat, Occ. Mindoro". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on August 17, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  25. ^ Estacio, Danny (August 22, 2023). "Lucena City declares drag artist Pura Luka Vega persona non grata". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Perez, Annie (August 23, 2023). "Pura Luka Vega also declared persona non grata in Bohol, Mandaue". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  27. ^ Ticke, Geraldford (August 29, 2023). "Palawan declares Pura Luka persona non-grata". Inquirer.net. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  28. ^ Virola, Madonna (August 30, 2023). "Oriental Mindoro declares Pura Luka Vega persona non grata, too". Inquirer.net. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  29. ^ Arcellaz, Princess Clea (August 31, 2023). "Apalit declares Pura Luka Vega persona non grata". SunStar Pampanga. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  30. ^ Salcedo, MJ (September 15, 2023). "Pura Luka Vega, idineklarang persona non grata sa Malolos City, Bulacan". Balita (in Filipino). Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  31. ^ "Pura Luka Vega after persona non grata tag, charges: 'Dagdagan niyo pa! Pakialam ko'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 22, 2023. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  32. ^ Pasajol, Anne (August 25, 2023). "Pura Luka Vega 'going to court' in September, asks for donations". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  33. ^ "Pura Luka Vega arrested in Manila over 'Ama Namin' drag performance". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 4, 2023. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  34. ^ a b Thoreson, Ryan (October 5, 2023). "Philippine Drag Artist Arrested for 'Offending Religion'". Human Rights Watch. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  35. ^ Act No. 3815 (December 8, 1930), "Article 133", Offending the Religious Feelings, Official Gazette of the Philippines, retrieved March 18, 2024
  36. ^ Valderrama, Evangeline (October 23, 2023). "Pura Luka Vega faces new criminal raps for offending religious feelings, cybercrime with social media posts". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  37. ^ Tunac, Hermes Joy (February 29, 2024). "Pura Luka Vega is arrested anew for viral 'Ama Namin' performance". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  38. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (January 26, 2023). "'Drag Den PH' queens, creator Rod Singh open up about challenging social norms, self-awareness". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  39. ^ The Cast of Drag Den (January 20, 2023). "May Kapa". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  40. ^ "Place your bets! 'Drag Den Philippines' introduces its competing queens". Rappler. November 17, 2022. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  41. ^ Samonte, Jujiin (May 23, 2023). "AFAB Queen Savvy Tan Is The First Anak Ng Mudra Winner Of Mudrakels". Mega Drag. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
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