“RuPaul’s Drag Race” finalist Manila Luzon, a Filipino-American, posted a video on Instagram today spoofing the aunties-you-meet-on-holidays, in an admittedly amusing social media spot for local retail giant The SM Store.
Just a month back, fellow “Drag Race” alum Aquaria visited the country to similarly rep the local retail chain, appearing in a flamboyant “fashion eleganza extravaganza” in two of its malls.
Read: Incoming: ‘Rupaul’s Drag Race’ winner Aquaria to visit Manila next month
Luzon, on the other hand, is playing up her comedic chops, spoofing in the Instagram video the “titas [aunties] you love to meet at every holiday party,” before going through a slew of familiar characters with a Filipino accent.
“My nephew is single,” says one of the aunties holding a dainty teacup set. Another screams “Yaya!” to call for the house help. A third, hands over a gift and blurts “Merry Christmas!” with a thick Filipino accent.
Luzon, who’s been to the Philippines twice, wrote, “My Filipino family Christmas ain’t a party until ALL of my favorite titas arrive… (especially Tita Bing — she cooks the best pancit).”
“This year I’m getting all my titas gifts from @TheSMStore to show how much I love them all!” she closes.
The post had already hit 15,000 views within an hour, and Filipino fans expressed excitement to see the world-famous drag queen back in Manila (the city, that is). Others, like Twitter user @iamleeiliveforme, pointed out that Manila’s tita names were accurate, “Yip… I have a Tita Bing..Ching..Whinnie… Apple..Luding… all who are heavily medicated lol.”
The drag queen, also known by her real name Karl Philip Westerberg, gained a huge fan following when she competed in the second season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” back in 2010. She returned to compete in the show’s first “All Stars” season in 2012, and again in its fourth season this year.
Fans thought she had a good shot to win the crown this year, but she was eliminated by fellow contestant Naomi Smalls, a decision that shocked and upset many.
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