6 Queens That Nailed It on Snatch Game in ‘Drag Race Philippines’

Snatch Game, as every good RuPaul’s Drag Race devotee knows, can make or break a queen’s time on the show. 

The rules of the game are simple: prepare a character, hop on a fake talk show, and do your best to be funny. This is easier said than done. While comedy queens have swept the Snatch Game floor with ease (think Jinkx Monsoon as a slurring Judy Garland, or Jimbo as Shirley Temple), others have met their end on the show thanks to a badly done impression (think Spice as… Miley Cyrus?). 

The Snatch Games of Drag Race Philippines are no different, and over the course of the franchise’s three seasons — plus Snatch Elections, Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale’s tongue-in-cheek take on the maxi challenge — we’ve seen some of the best (and worst) impressions that Filipino drag queens have to offer.

But we’re not here to throw shade (sips tea). We’re here to give some of the best Snatch Game contenders their flowers. In no particular order, here are the queens who’ve embodied the characters they’ve brought to the stage, all while making Mama Pao proud. 

Brigiding as Maria Ressa

Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale

Slaysian Royale gave us one of the most innovative (and timely) spins on the Snatch Game format. The queens were each given 20 minutes to bring a character to life by filming a presidential campaign video. 

While other queens gave more than questionable performances as presidential hopefuls (ahem, Siam Phusri’s big-chested take on Lisa in The White Lotus), Brigiding stole the show with her Maria Ressa impression. Donning the Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist’s flat pixie cut, pearl earrings, and nose mole, Brigiding twerked against macho dancers and ran arguably the strongest campaign of the episode. “We don’t need a dictator,” said Brigiding. “Ang kailangan natin ay pangulong may T.I.T.E. (short for Truth, Integrity, Transparency, and Equality).”

Viñas Deluxe as Vice President Sara Duterte

Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale

As of writing, Viñas Deluxe’s place as Slaysian Royale front-runner seems to have been solidified by her impression of Vice President Sara Duterte trying to run for president (her campaign: calling people P.I.N.K. or Putang Ina Niyo Ka). Viñas wears Sara’s bob well, complete with a deadpan look and a predilection for banging on the table and screaming into the camera. “Am I impeached?” Viñas asks at the end of her video, right before standing up to reveal that she’s been wearing a peach-colored bikini bottom the whole time.

Xilhouete as Vicki Belo

Drag Race Philippines Season 1

Xilhouete said it best in her confessional: “I’m giving you Vicki Belo in the rotten corpse of Michael Jackson.” The queen won Snatch Game with her stiff, smiling, and slightly medicated impression of the celebrity dermatologist. “I’m sorry Paolo,” Xilhouete drawled, “but with all the medications, I can’t even remember… where am I?” 

Marina Summers as Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Drag Race Philippines Season 1

While Marina Summers and former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo look nothing alike, the drag queen somehow made the resemblance uncanny. With a thick-ass neck brace, overdrawn eyebrows, and Arroyo’s signature beauty mark, Marina had much to say about the nation. “Alam mo,” said Marina/Gloria, “pag gising ko kanina at narinig ko ‘yong salitang ‘snatch,’ bumangon ako talaga to participate!”

Captivating Katkat as Joy Belmonte

Drag Race Philippines Season 2

Captivating Katkat won her season’s Snatch Game with the most smiley, unblinking, and passive-aggressive take on Quezon City mayor Joy Belmonte. After writing “korrupt” as her answer to Mama Pao’s question and showing off her hidden talent (to “kurap”), Captivating Katkat smiled at her fellow queens. “Maraming salamat at putang ina ninyo!” She cooed before her time was up.

Angel as Maria Clara

Drag Race Philippines Season 3

One of the biggest heroines of Philippine literature stopped by on Snatch Game. Angel, dressed in a traditional Maria Clara gown and wielding a giant pamaypay, embodied grace and poise as Jose Rizal’s female protagonist — or well, at the start. “Ang init, init dito!” Angel screamed, right before ripping off her gown to reveal her bright red lingerie underneath.