Drag queen arrested for performing as Jesus speaks out
Amadeus Fernando Pagente, who performs as Vega, was first arrested in October 2023 after performing Ama Namin – a rock version of The Lord’s Prayer – while dressed as Christ.
They were released after three days, when fellow drag artists raised enough money to secure bail.
The performer was charged under article 201 of criminal code of the Philippines, contravening the prohibition of “indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows” that “offend any race or religion”.
It seems that Vega was rearrested at the end of February 2024, again in relation to the original performance of Ama Namin. Vega has since been released.
Vega’s legal woes begin when a video of the performance was released online, which led to a conservative religious group lodging a formal complaint with prosecutors in Manila.