More Drag Race? The Philippines is getting towards the business-end of Season 2.

Let’s get into it.

The mini challenge

This week it was a rapping reading challenge.

It was chaotic but the cast seemed to be enjoying themselves – a good way to let off some steam.

The Main Challenge

This week was a branding challenge – the queens had to make a shampoo commercial that somehow represented their brand.

Bernie created an actual shampoo commercial – forgetting to add the humour required. Katkat fell into a similar trap – no jokes.

Arizona probably nailed the brief best – she was clearly on-brand and the narrative of the commercial she’d made all made sense and was entertaining to watch.

OV and Jade both went left-field and both were fairly successful. Crazy, stupid, funny, but successful.

The Runway

This week’s category was Rainbow Pride.

• Hanna gave us a nude body suit enveloped in a rainbow ribbon bow. It didn’t look great.
• Katkat had clever construction – a white dress that expanded in every direction, there were mechanical birds, and a message about being human. It was impressive. It wasn’t very sexy, but it was impressive.
• Jade gave us sexy burlesque showgirl with a political message. Nailed it.
• Bernie used medals to create a rainbow warrior look – it was a smart idea and well-executed.
• Arizona looked gorgeous in a column gown with a rainbow cape.

The Judging

Based on the comments, it seemed obvious that Jade was going to win. But she was penalised for going over-time in the recording of her commercial and so she ended up in the Bottom 3 with Bernie and Katkat. Ultimately, Jade was safe – giving us a Bottom 2 of Bernie and Katkat.

That seemed a bit harsh on Jade. It would have been crazy if she’d ended up in the lip-sync. It was still shocking that we had a lip-sync between two of the front-runners of the competition.

The win went to Hana, which is fine.

The Lip-sync

The track was The Power by Ann Raniel.

In terms of delivering emotion, this track really does it. It’s a great lip-sync track, particularly when you want to see a queen really connect with a song and serve it – no tricks or stunts, just emotion.

We got similar approaches from both Bernie and Katkat, and they were both top-tier.

All the emotion, but also some well-timed revealed, and a huge slice of trans-power from the both.

It seemed impossible to choose between them but it also seemed impossible that we could have another episode where no one goes home.

But, on Drag Race Philippines, nothing is impossible. Bernie and Katkat both get to stay – no one goes home.

Episode 8, done!

The Cast

Arizona Brandy

Current Ranking: There’s been some ups and downs so far this season but Arizona is a strong performer and she’s super-entertaining both on and off stage. At this point, I’d love to Arizona take the crown. It could happen.

Bernie

Current Ranking: Bernie is an experienced queen who knows how to perform – she really comes alive on stage. I can’t see her winning the crown, but she’s showcased her talents.

Captivating Katkat

Current Ranking: A veteran of the drag scene, Katkat seems confident in who she is and confident on stage. She’s given us some good TV throughout the season and has served front-runner energy from the very beginning. She could go all the way.

Hana Beshie

Current Ranking: She’s likeable and enthusiastic and she seems to have been able to successfully navigate this competition even though she doesn’t have as much experience as others in the cast. Will she win? No. Has she had fun? Undoubtedly.

M1ss Jade So

Current Ranking: Jade brings the beauty but is also a very strong performer. It’s been a solid competition for Jade. I can’t see her winning, but she’s established herself as someone who’s worth watching.

ØV CÜNT

Current Ranking: Dark and twisted but still playful and fun – there’s a lot to like about ØV. She’s probably not going to win this but she’s had a very strong season.

Deedee Marié Holliday

Final Ranking: An experienced queen who knows herself and is confident in her craft. She’s had some highs and some lows in this competition, but overall it’s been a good season for Deedee – eliminated in Episode 6, beaten in the lip-sync by Jade.

Matilduh

Final Ranking: Matilduh seems really likeable and is clearly a talented performer. She made it to Episode 5, eliminated by Jade in the lip-sync.

Veruschka Levels

Final Ranking: Based in Hong Kong, Veruschka was always the outsider in this cast and seemed determined to lose the popularity contest – no Miss Congeniality for her! After a fairly strong start to the competition, it all fell apart in Episode 4 when she bombed the Snatch Game.

Tiny Deluxe

Final Ranking: After landing in the Bottom 2 in the first episode of the season, Tiny never really got her Drag Race journey into first gear. Beaten by Arizona in the lip-sync of Episode 3.

Astrid Mercury

Final Ranking: Astrid was the first eliminated from Group 2 – and it was a gut-wrenching elimination. Astrid seems very likeable with some strong performance skills, but she never had a chance to find her feet in this competition.

Nicole Pardaux

Final Ranking: We didn’t get to see much from Nicole – eliminated in the first episode, beaten in the lip-sync by Tiny. Nicole is the Pork Chop of the season.

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