Ever since RuPaul’s Drag Race landed on local shores by way of Drag Race Philippines, drag lovers old and new have been raving about our queens’ performances. And in case you need any further convincing to watch the local edition, perhaps its saucy takes on political satire might.
Take the case of drag queen Marina Summers, who decided to channel former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) during the drag competition’s Snatch Game — a segment in which contestants impersonate famous celebrities or personalities and improvise answers in-character while answering the judge’s questions.
Spoiler alert: Marina didn’t win this segment, but her performance was so beloved by viewers that she released a full of it video entitled “Breaking My Silence | My Truth| I’m Sorry,” a parody video that references GMA’s famous line during the wiretap scandal over allegations of rigging the 2004 presidential elections.
The drag queen did not hold back in her political jabs, talking about her loss in Drag Race Philippines’ Snatch Game episode as she sported the former president’s famous mole, an aquamarine suit and a neck brace, which Arroyo was known to have worn while under a four-year hospital arrest for plunder charges.
“Hello Garci, will I still lead by one million?” Marina asks in another jab at the wiretap scandal. As a producer informs that they’re rolling, she quickly interjects, “One million TikTok followers?”
Some other zingers include:
“Klarong klaro, may dayaang nangyari. Alam ko yan, it takes one to know one, no?” (It’s clear as day that there was cheating. I know this because it takes one to know one, no?)
The drag queen also made a reference to former VP Leni Robredo’s speech when she announced her candidacy for the 2022 May elections, adding, “Hindi ako susuko. Lalaban ako. Lalaban tayo.” (I will not give up. I will fight. We will fight.)
Arroyo walked free in 2016 when the Supreme Court charged her with plunder. An elected member of Congress, she was voted House Speaker in 2018. Political experts also credit Arroyo for having brokered the alliance between Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr and Sara Duterte, who ran and won as president and vice president together.
Many of Marina’s fans joked about raising bail money for the drag queen because of the (unlikely but not impossible) possibility that her controversial takes could land her in legal hot water.
“Do we have enough bail money for Marina?” a few followers quipped.
“Madam really wants to go to jail!” one fan joked. “But don’t worry, we’re here to defend you!”
“Protect Marina at all costs,” another one said.
“I am lowkey concerned for her,” one said, adding, “But also? An icon. She’s my Snatch Game fave, madam never missed.”
Many fans argued Marina should have won the snatch game.
“You were robbed during the snatch game,” one said.
“If Marina had a better runway performance she would have had this in the bag,” another commented.
“Now THIS is a snatch game masterclass. the wit, the comedic timing, the political commentary,” one praised.
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