This story is part of “This Is Not A Phase,” Rolling Stone Philippines’ Pride Month storytelling campaign. Featuring the unapologetic individuals who refuse to back down on who they truly are, “This Is Not A Phase” highlights stories that challenge what’s considered acceptable in Filipino LGBTQIA+ culture.
During Season 2 of Drag Race Philippines — arguably the most glamorous reality competition show in the country’s history — two drag queens subverted the glittery and exaggerated archetypes the show has become globally known for.
First, there was M1ss Jade So, who sits in front of a mirror as she prepares to put on a full beat. She rocks an undercut; her head partly shaved, with the remaining hair flowing like the luscious, long mane of a horse. Jade’s face, chiseled to perfection, has an extraterrestrial quality; every blush and contour seamlessly blends onto her baby plump skin while her eyes sparkle to the iridescent highlighter on her pointed nose. She truly is an “Esoteric Bratzy Goddessa,” as her epithet suggests, which is no easy feat for a woman like Jade to be, and for that, she’s a girl’s girl in the same way Paris Hilton is to many. Jade’s persona is as sassy as it is silly; she swaps her “is”-es with “are”’s and clicks her tongue as if to punctuate an exclamation point mid-sentence. Behind closed doors, however, Jade is more soft-spoken than the public knows her to be.
Then there’s ØV CÜNT, the self-described “Enigmatic Provocateur” whose transgressive drag may feel intimidating to the average enthusiast. But their confrontational, genderfuck approach is just how they like to do it. Whether they’re experimenting with the Japanese art of shibari (rope bondage) or embodying the unsettling allure of the deep water anglerfish, ØV’s magic is in the way they realize the beautifully twisted ways darkness reveals itself; their signature ghostly gaze being able to immediately shift the aura of any room.
But when ØV arrives for their shoot, the mood in the glam room shifts in a different, more unserious way. “Sisterrrrrr!” they shout to Jade, who greets them back with the nonchalance only longtime friends can. “The last time we saw each other was last Saturday,” Jade tells me as ØV gets comfortable, laying out various items across the table. ØV puts on a mail coif — the metal hood worn by European soldiers during the Middle Ages — and decides to diss her wavy silver wig. “Mama!” ØV exclaims, as Jade fixes her nude corset. “We’re matchies,” she tells me, as I stand side-by-side the both of them, uncoincidentally wearing a black corset jacket of my own.
For Jade and ØV, sisterhood is as instinctual as the art of drag itself, complete with all the vices and virtues that come with it. Their shared history dates back to the mid-2010s, when the now-defunct Nectar Nightclub in Bonifacio Global City hosted Poison Wednesdays — a weekly club night dedicated to the local drag community. Drag Cartel, Poison’s drag competition series, followed the Drag Race format long before the television franchise arrived in the country.
In 2020, drag artist Eva Le Queen launched the online platform Drag Playhouse PH (now rebranded as The Playhouse PH), which became a source of respite for local drag queens during the pandemic. There, ØV and Jade continued to bond, developing friendships with Playhouse residents Le Queen, Marina Summers, and Prince (who is currently facing sexual abuse allegations that surfaced online in late May. In response, Prince has sought legal counsel, stating on Instagram Stories: “While I cannot speak to anyone else’s lived experience, I must assert that the claims do not reflect the person I am today nor the values I strive to live by.”)
Le Queen, Summers, and Prince went on to compete in Drag Race Philippines Season 1, which first aired in 2022. “Girls who like to dream big stick together,” says ØV about how their friends’ support helped propel their careers into unimaginable heights. Jade and ØV would later compete in Season 2 of Drag Race Philippines in 2023, and their camaraderie was clear as soon as they stepped foot in the Werk Room.
But like many sisterhoods, Jade and ØV’s had their fair share of squabbles. In Episode 5 of Drag Race Philippines: Untucked, the show’s behind-the-scenes spin-off, ØV names Jade as one of the two queens most likely to land at the bottom, admitting to her that they felt guilty about it. “Nagugulohan ako, girl,” says Jade in the episode’s confessionals. “Bakit ang bilis ng transition na biglang guilty kaagad?” Jade would later admit that she had lost trust in ØV.
But hey, that’s all in the past. Two years later, they’re ready to spill the tea on how they grew up together, and what really went down during that intense chapter of not just their friendship, but their entire careers and lives.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
“The perfect way to describe our relationship is two in love bottoms trying to fight who’s gonna be topping tonight.”
M1ss Jade So: Paano tayo nagka-kilala? Social media friends lang tayo noon because, Lady Gaga PH!
ØV CÜNT: Yes, super fans. Tayo ‘yong mga papansin na bagets na mahilig mag-post ng sari-sariling eksena. But I remember seeing your YouTube videos before everything else.
Jade: Is this Basic Gate era? Basic Gate was … Hindi siya M1ss Jade So.
ØV: That was the other, other, other person. What year was that?
Jade: 15 ako eh, noong naglalaro. 2015, 2016.
ØV: Do you actually remember our first [meeting] in real life?
Jade: ‘Yong binentahan kita ng sapatos.
ØV: Yes! Oh my God, the pleaser boots.
Jade: Yes, e size 41 siya. Kaya ko binenta kasi masyadong malaki sa’kin. Sa KFC ng anong station ‘yon?
ØV: Taft Station.
Jade: Nag-meet tayo halfway kasi taga [Cavite] ka. Tapos ako, taga Marikina.
ØV: ‘Yon ‘yong halfway natin. Girl, alam mo ba hindi ako marunong mamasahe noon? I had to ask people around.
Jade: Ako, marunong na. Street smart kasi ako.
ØV: Okay, queen. Sorry, I’m just a little girl from Cavite. I don’t know how to tawid.
Jade: Ganyan ba kayo pinalaki sa Cavite? Cheka!
ØV: Yes, may security guard kasi sa mga tawiran namin.
Jade: So going back doon sa sapatos. Kasya ba talaga siya sa’yo?
ØV: It didn’t actually fit.
Jade: Tinanggap mo naman.
ØV: Through time, I got used to it. It was the first shoe I performed in at Nectar as a real, real drag queen performer. My number was [“I Don’t Care” by Icona Pop], and you know what happened after the second verse? Bitch, it broke off. I don’t care, I love it!
Jade: Do you think it was sabotage?
ØV: I think it was meant to break kasi, after that, hindi na ako nasiraan ng sapatos onstage.
Jade: Sa simula pa lang ng friendship natin, baliwan na agad. ‘Yong friendship kasi natin, medyo love-hate relationship.
ØV: We never really had the “let’s hang out” [moment] kasi taga dulo-dulo tayo ng Marikina at Cavite, pero nag kikita sa Nectar. The perfect way to describe our relationship is two in love bottoms trying to fight who’s gonna be topping tonight. But throughout the years, we just learned how to navigate each other.
Jade: Ako, I didn’t really get to experience performing noong “Nectar Days” kasi late na ako nanalo.
ØV: Yeah, but doon pinanganak si Palo Sebo. Out of nowhere, nagkaroon ng pole sa Nectar and you were the only one who could literally work the pole because you were doing [pole dancing] workshops. Miss Palo Sebo.
Jade: ‘Yon ‘yong una kong drag name. Miss Palo Sebo. Wala pang number noon. M-I-S-S siya. Palo Sebo, meaning… Hindi natin pwedeng sabihin dito. [Cackles]
ØV: The real reason why we got close… Are we gonna disclose that here?
Jade: Nagkayayaan na every after ng mga performances, mga gigs…
ØV: … partying out, we’d hang out sa condo mo.
Jade: Group of friends na madami.
ØV: Did you know one of my last hangouts in Manila [before the pandemic] was with you, celebrating what?! My birthday, girl.
Jade: Enga enga tayo sa condo ko e. [Laughs]
ØV: Ahh! Oh my god.
Jade: Tapos the pandemic happened. Nag-disassociate ako sa drag, kasi na-adik ako sa [Mobile Legends].
ØV: Drag Playhouse became a thing during the pandemic, doing parties online sa Zoom, and we would see you.
Jade: Oo, kasi attendee lang ako or support. Watching. Apat kayo ni Prince, Eva, and Marina. You guys were soaring together, and may mga gigs na sinasama ni’yo ako.
ØV: Girls who like to dream big stick together. The more ridiculous na makuha siya, mas nababaliw tayo to get it. Who would have thought my sister [Marina], who I’d eat ramen with through video call, is now performing in RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE in Las Vegas? What do you mean my sister has an empire right now?
Jade: And your other sister?
ØV: My other sister is a PR mess.
Jade: Stop! [Laughs] Not the PR mess!
ØV: Pero ‘yon nga, and this is something weird about me, but I get the pleasure and happy feeling sa heart ko na, oh, we would eat barbecue sa kanto together before. And look how far that bitch made it.
Jade: Dati, nagpe-perform kayong apat. Papasok ako backstage, tinutulongan ko kayo mag-pack ng gamit, e ang haba ng nails ko.
ØV: Ikaw ‘yong assistant na nagpapa-assist.
Jade: “Kuya, pwede pa bukas po ng corset niya?”
ØV: Noong lumabas ‘yong season [ni Prince, Eva at Marina], tayo ‘yong usual na nag-assist sa kanila and we got close during ‘yong weird limbo ng airing ng Season 1.
Jade: Parehas tayong crazy girls. Brain rot [queens].
ØV: Si Eva was queen mother. That mama. Pag sinabi niya ito ‘yong desisyon niya, it is her decision. Marina, I call her si producer. She knows how to get the reaction she wants in the best way possible. Look at her now. She’s unstoppable. And Prince, that’s my crazy sister.
Jade: Si Eva and Marina ‘yong mature. Tayo ‘yong mga batang nakawala sa hawla.
ØV: Ang tawag sa atin ni Marina, ‘yong mga rakakak ng rakakak!
Jade: The last time na kompleto tayo was in [RuPaul’s DragCon LA in 2024]. Nasa ibang bansa na tayo. Birthday party ko no’on, and we were manifesting our dreams.
May isang moment na hindi ko makakalimutan doon sa birthday ko na ‘yon. Sa shower room kami ni Eva. I was in the middle of transitioning, getting my boobs, lips, and face done. Noong time na ‘yon, gusto ko palang maging doll. The ultimate doll. Pero sinabihan ako ni Eva na, “you’re a goddess.” In-affirm ako na isa akong malaking light sa harapan [niya]. Tapos, oh my god, parang nabinyagan.
ØV: They would never write that sa article. What the fuck is this shit? What do you mean, binigyan mo ako ng bagong definition ng goddessa? At ano, the mind? [Laughs] Bullshit.
Jade: Shut the fuck up! Basura-fication kasi ‘yong sa’yo!
ØV: [These] divas inventing their tag names. “Enigmatic Provocateur.” What do you mean?!
Jade: How did you come up with that name?
ØV: Because I can’t even explain myself. Hindi ko ma-describe ‘yong drag ko at all until now.
Jade: Is it because non-binary ka?
ØV: Yeah, siguro that plays a part. But I hate being [stagnant]. Though I like changes in any way or form, I’ll never stay flat — like, today in our shoot. What do you mean I’m not wearing a wig right now? I’m just wearing a cute bellboy hat.
Jade: Pero you can do glam.
ØV: That’s the thing though. Because we’re what? Versatile. Not because we want to feed the masses. But skills, bitch. Because we can and we want to.
Jade: Doon tayo nagre-relate with each other.
ØV: We love the idea of authenticity, especially on stage. We never perform just because we perform songs. We perform because we feel that way in that moment.
Jade: E kapag may request si client, magde-decide kung ano ‘yong ipe-perform [mo], may gano’n ka na ba?
ØV: Of course, girl. I’ve been performing longer than you. But sometimes you just have to fucking do it. You have to get fucking paid. The thing about performing sa ibang spaces is you have to adjust things for people’s enjoyment, kahit you said that you’re doing it for the art. May mga moment na ang sarap gawin, at iba na, girl, bahala ka diyan kung hindi niyo maintindihan ‘to, dedma ako sa’yo.
Jade: That’s when you showcase your versatility. Kaya ko nilalabas ‘yong girly pop or glam na M1ss Jade So, to balance the esoteric-ness and the goddessa-ness. Kasi navavalidate ako kapag kine-question ‘yong itsura ko. Like, oh my god, it’s working. I don’t look like a human.
Isa sa mga spaces na nag-build ng confidence ko is ELEPHANT Party. Nakita nila yung performances ko online, tsaka lang nila ako binook [sa Gravity Art Space]. Kapag nasa ELEPHANT, walang judgment. Anything is possible. You can do graphic performances, like duguan. Kasi ‘di talaga ako lumaking performer. Wala akong bar or anything. So, everything was new to me. Being booked sa iba’t ibang bars, may iba iba din siyang timpla. Tapos sa ELEPHANT, parang nakaka-let go ka ng lahat. Wala ka ng kaba. Kasi kahit hindi rehearsed ‘yong number mo, you just do what you want.
Ikaw, nakapag-perform ka ba [for ELEPHANT] sa [club] XX:XX [bago sila sumarado]?
ØV: I did. Gano’on ako katanda, sister. There’s something about performing sa ELEPHANT because it doesn’t actually have a [stage] for performing; it’s just a dancefloor. At some point naging thing ko na whenever I would perform for ELEPHANT, importante that I’m performing with the audience.
I have this performance na “As If We Never Said Goodbye” na Norma Desmond ang fantasy: Umiiyak na artistang bumalik sa spotlight ulit. The gays! What do you mean they’re crying for me too? Di nila ako iniwanan. That’s something I always look for, it’s fun performing with the audience…
“Doon ko na nalaman na, oh my god, ever since I was bullied, medyo weak pala ‘yong personality ko when it comes to fighting. Ta’s dun ko na na-figure out na masyado na akong na-aapi. Kailangan ko nang baguhin ‘to.”
Jade: … So, mayroon akong tea about Drag Race. Entering the show knowing na ikaw ang pinaka-closest ko, I thought we were gonna do an alliance. Kasi as a Cancer, as a psychic person, I’m your best friend. Magkakasundo mo ako, maaasahan mo ako. Pero si bakla, competitive pala.
ØV: I’m sorry, baby girl. Aquarius ako. I’m gonna give you hell. I love you but, sorry. It’s time for me to shine. The funniest thing about us realizing we were going on Drag Race was when [magkasunod] ang fitting natin ng dalawang beses.
Jade: Pagdating ko, I was like, “Oh, you’re here.” So, doon tayo nag bonding, na gets na natin na kasali tayo.
ØV: But to tell you honestly, entering Drag Race Philippines, I was in a competitive mode nga. Ang nasa utak ko noon is, “I’m gonna stick to what I feel is right [at that moment].”
Jade: Kasi nagsabay tayo sa mga fittings, [ang pakiramdam ay,] “Sister, we’re gonna do this together.” ‘Yon ang ang feeling ko, tapos parang nineneglect mo ako. Sister, nasaan yung pinag-usapan natin? Strategy ba niya to? Oh my god, is she throwing me under the bus? Tapos hanggang sa tinanggap ko na lang kalagitnaan na Episode 5, Episode 6, that I couldn’t trust you. Sinabihan mo ako ng, “Sis, pahiram ng human hair wig mo, hindi ka naman aabot sa top four.” Doon ako na hurt. Kasi nga, wala akong background, hindi nga akong “drag queen-drag queen.”
ØV: [We] drag queens, we had a different bond of communicating as the competition happened. And understandably, there were things that you were not used to that we queens from the other side were used to doing while inside the show.
Jade: For example, throwing shade. Hindi ako sanay sa throwing shade. As a bedroom queen, I don’t want to throw shade kasi ayaw ko rin shini-shade ako. [Nalaman ko na] normal siya sa drag queens pala.
ØV: Ang basa ko noon sa’yo was you felt like everybody was attacking you.
Remember how every episode, we thought you were going to be at the bottom? Sa smoking area, sa hotel natin, I pulled you somewhere na malayo, and talked to you. Meron ka pang listed down na, “Ito ‘yong mga sinabi mo na na-off ako sa’yo.” You know what happened after that talk? Bitch, you fucking accelerated. That was the turning point for your confidence in the competition. I don’t know if you saw it or you felt it. But after that, nawala ka doon sa headspace na kawawa girl ka.
Jade: Those things encouraged me to fight. Doon ko na narealize na minamaliit na ako ng lahat ng tao dito. Doon ko na nalaman na, oh my god, ever since I was bullied, medyo weak pala ‘yong personality ko when it comes to fighting. Ta’s dun ko na na-figure out na masyado na akong na-aapi. Kailangan ko nang baguhin ‘to. Then I got the last RuBadge.
ØV: That was your top four, though it would’ve been better if I was there. Because us lip-syncing together would’ve been a shutdown.
Jade: ‘Yon yung gusto kong maramdaman na sana tayong dalawa. Hindi ‘yong sino sa ating dalawa.
ØV: [My] learning curve is that I should have been seeing myself as somebody who’s good. Because I never really acknowledged that I was doing good throughout the competition. I was so scared of having this edit na delulu [ako] even if it’s not true. Every time we asked each other, “Who do you think is the top and the bottom?” I would never say, “I feel like I’m on top.” Hinihintay ko munang sabihin ng lahat na I’m on top. Then I’m like, yeah, sure. Humble, humble, eme, eme, whatever. But girl, can you imagine if I had solid, unclockable confidence during the competition and owned up to being good at a challenge, instead of being like, “Yeah, I did good.” That’s [a quality] I feel people should learn to apply day-by-day.
Jade: You ate that shit up.
ØV: I’m really happy with where you are now.
Jade: So, what’s next for you?
ØV: Weird limbo era again.
Jade: Limbo era, meaning… ?
ØV: [That part in my] “career” where I want to reinvent everything. I’m thankful for Drag Race and for every opportunity [its given me]. It could be the reason why I’m here right now, doing this interview. But I feel like the ØV CÜNT everybody saw inside their televisions isn’t the ØV CÜNT I want to present to the world right now. It’s not that I want to go blank slate with the ØV CÜNT imagery or “era.” Ang sarap lang bumalik sa roots, to go crazy again, after being subdued for public consumption. At this point, everything I’m gonna be fucking doing is heavy because I told you so. Yeah, girl, I wanna fucking do this.
Jade: And I’m doing it.
ØV: And you’re doing it, and we’re gonna be doing it until the end of fucking time.
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