this sunday we will stand by our sister @puralukavega and fight fire with art! ❤️🔥 we will have artists selling merch and drag performances throughout the noon until the evening ✨ drag is not a crime; art cannot be censored. spread the word #freepuralukavega
— naia (@brianblack_) October 6, 2023
poster by @hubineer pic.twitter.com/ndEqTI3aEk
Echoes of support for Vega were heard within the corners of Brooklyn Warehouse Manila amidst the controversy. In an event dedicated to her– NKKLK: A Fundraising Show For Pura Luka Vega, she left the religious conflict in the backdrop, swayed, and sang to Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion’s The Prayer.
While offering an act of entertainment on the stage by singing both the male and female parts, emotions cannot help but escape from the audience in the latter part of her show as the woman who conceived Luka in her womb came that day, in such a way that Mary descended to earth for her beloved son. In relief, the hands that were handcuffed for days laid in safety in her mother’s palms, and together, standing beside each other, they finished the song in harmony and tears– an ode of comfort from a child and a lullaby of love from a mother.
Drag is not and will never be a fucking crime. #AcquitPuraLukaVega #DragIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/Z5LnufpwxA
— Hermes Joy Tunac (@hermes_tunac) October 8, 2023
On Struggles, Skirmishes, and Solidarity
But unlike Jesus, who had his all-powerful Almighty Father to save him, Vega only has her mother and the minority of queer people rallying behind her back. The walls of her tiny confinement room may have heard whispers of help, in folded hands and hushed prayers passing through between her breaths, and in resignation, Luka may have surrendered her fate to the heavens.
Thousands of years ago, in front of His people, Jesus died on the cross and paid for our sins. But a replication of the old-tale atonement, perhaps, is a form of self-sacrilege, and the only way for Jesus to lend a hand is for Luka’s own people to gather and save His persecuted child this time.
#NKKLK CLASS PIC OF 2023#AcquitPuraLukaVega #DragIsNotACrime #DragIsArt pic.twitter.com/Ly5Kfo24AK
— Geneva Smiles Batumbakal Flop (@shotsbygene) October 9, 2023
In a time when critics have found an opportunity to let out their harbored condemnation, the gay community orchestrated a fundraising event for the detained drag artist. Staying true to the sisterhood is Drag Den winner Brian Black, also known as NAIA, who led the fundraising event on Sunday, October 8. For a limited time to prepare, NAIA utilized Twitter to ask for help from concerned individuals. Drag Race Philippines Season 1 winner Precious Paula Nicole, co-stars Corazon Filipina, Turing, Lady Morgana, and fellow drag artists responded to the call and performed. Meanwhile, others volunteered to create posters and lent their crafts to produce merch items to which the profit went to Luka.
When are we going to talk about how the law that was used against Pura Luka Vega (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 969 July 24, 1976) is a product of the Marcos dictatorship w/c used the law to censor free speech and crack down on artist-activists [thru (2)(B)(5)]#FreePuraLukaVega pic.twitter.com/UV3OrkCIq0
— Alfonso Manalastas (@not_alfonso) October 4, 2023
A coven of queers and allies pulling together for a common cause amplifies the voices of experienced struggle of the community. In a longstanding disagreement between religions and the individuality of gay people, the fight may not be over just yet. For these people beaming with colors, the wigs and make-ups will be worn off, but waking up another day in a ray of sunshine is another God-given day to pursue their existence and claim their space.
Main Photo by Christine Lopez (@pilyangrabbitpig) on Instagram
