By Maxine Alessandra B. Turiano

Far Eastern University (FEU) third-year Communication student Andrei Retes known as Missy Rider in drag was hailed the first-ever ‘Drag Battle Superstar’ at the ‘Drag Battle 2025: FEU Drag Excellence’ held at the Engineering Building Mini Auditorium last February 12.

While drag performances and queens have been present in FEU prior to the event, Drag Battle 2025 marks the inaugural University-recognized drag competition. 

FEU Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) and the FEU Sexuality and Gender Alliance spearheaded the event as part of the University’s Foundation Week 2025, under the theme ‘Go For Gold.’

The initial application pool was open to the entirety of the school population, with six final contestants competing for the crown. 

^{In Photo (left to right); Via Beach, Celeste, Letisha Jasmine, Missy Rider, Z3ta, and Kheanna Khan.}

Drag queens Celeste, Kheanna Khan, Letisha Jasmine, Missy Rider, Via Beach, and Z3ta competed in a three-round lalaparuza, besting each other in one-on-one lip sync battles to hit gay anthems like Madonna’s Material Girl and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Missy shared her excitement and gratitude for being named the first Drag Battle Superstar.

“Ito ‘yung magiging way ko para ma-redeem ko ‘yung sarili ko, kasi you know, andaming failure, andaming challenges, and this kind of achievement is really so… masarap sa pakiramdam and I’m so grateful na ako ang kauna-unahang first Drag [Battle] Superstar (This will be my way to redeem myself, because you know, there are failures, there are challenges, and this kind of achievement is really so... It feels great and I'm so grateful to be the first drag superstar),” she said.

Letisha Jasmine earned the title of 1st runner-up after making it to the final round.

Meanwhile, The Drag Star winner Celeste took home the People’s Choice Award, voted by students, as well as the Gorjas Queen award. 

As the winner, Missy Rider is set to perform at One Concierto Piyu today, February 14.

Community of support

Despite a limited preparation time, the contestants shared that they were able to perform due to the support of their friends.

“Ang pinaka-prior na challenge talaga, budget! Budget talaga, estudyante pa lang ako, nagte-thesis pa ako… Pero grateful ako kasi may mga friends ako na willing magpahiram, willling mag-PA [personal assistant], willing suportahan ako, and I’m really, really gratefulateful),” Missy said. 

Letisha echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude towards her colleagues for bringing her vision to life with their assistance.

“With the help of my orgmates din sa FEU Theater Guild, tinulungan nila ako sa lahat ng props (they helped me with all of the props),” she said.

Moreover, drag as an art form has also served as a platform for queer Tamaraws’ self-expression, with performers like Letisha sharing how it empowers them to embrace their identities.

“Through performing—through drag, mas na-e-express ko ‘yung sarili ko. Mas confident ako. Kumbaga, kasi ano ako eh, kapag out of drag… Ambaba ng self-esteem ko, parang na-i-insecure ako, ganu’n. Pero ‘pag drag, girl, sobrang umaapaw ‘yung confidence ko,” Letisha remarked.

Missy also mentioned that FEU has been a safe space as a drag queen, in contrast to the treatment she faces outside campus.

“And siguro ‘yung stigma or discrimination, typical sa streets, ‘pag naglalakad ako, naka-face mask ako, kasi ayun pagtatawanan (And maybe the stigma or discrimination, it’s typical on the streets—when I walk, I’m wearing a face mask, and then they laugh at me)—because of catcalling. But it doesn't matter as long as I am who I am. I was born this way, darling!” she shared.

The competition also aimed to solidify the University’s presence on the Drag Race map, with several notable alumni joining the franchise, with Brigiding, Viñas Deluxe, and Tiny Li’l Deluxe. 

Breaking barriers, one lewk at a time

Drag Battle 2025 is poised to be a milestone event, not only as FEU’s first officially-recognized drag competition, but also as a celebration of LGBTQ+ rights and a showcase of the diverse talents within the campus community.

Judge, Psychological Association of the Philippines LGBT Psychology Special Interest Group Chairperson, and FEU professor Rolf Gian “Queen G” Marcos also expressed their deep commitment to the LGBTQ+ rights cause. 

“This is not just an event for me, ito ‘yung pinaglalaban namin, ito ‘yung pinaglalaban natin, ito ‘yung advocacy na meron tayo (This is what we're fighting for, you know, this is what we're fighting for, this is the advocacy we have),” they said.

FEUCSO President Christmer Ordanes said in an interview with FEU Advocate that it is ‘high time’ that the University officially recognizes drag queens in FEU, in line with its mission towards inclusivity. 

“They didn’t just approve this event, but they dignified the presence of the Tamaraw drag queens in the University,” he commented.

Werk hard, dream big

While the Drag Battle 2025 had originally planned for eight contestants, the lack of applicants made the setup nonviable.

Furthermore, Ordanes hopes that the success of the event encourages more students to take to the stage. 

“We hoped to pick eight drag queens sana, initially, pero six lang talaga ‘yung nag-apply out of 20,000 Tamaraws. And hopefully, this is the beginning, if the Tamaraws see that they are heard, they can be on stage and be themselves. I hope the queer Tamaraws can truly show their colors next year or in the years to come,” he said.

He also shared that the University has growing support for drag and more queer representation on campus, even suggesting that Drag Battle become part of the annual foundation week affairs.

Theater queen and 1st runner-up Letisha encouraged aspiring drag artists to begin pursuing the craft immediately, further emphasizing the importance of love for the art form. 

“Start it today. ‘Wag mo nang ipagpabukas, ‘wag mo nang ipagsalinggo, ngayon na and laging mahalin ang sining, and dapat, mahal mo ‘yung ginagawa mo. Kasi, kapag nagbu-burn ‘yung passion mo sa puso mo, walang mali (Start it today. Don't put it off until tomorrow, don't wait until next week, do it now! And always love the art, and you should love what you're doing. Because when your passion burns in your heart, there's nothing wrong),” she expressed.

Meanwhile, Missy reminded hopefuls that drag is about authenticity rather extravagance.

“Sa mga gusto mag-drag, darling, go! Nagsimula lang ako sa walang budget, nagsimula lang ako sa nanghihiram ng costume. Hindi naman kailangan bongga agad, as long as totoo sa sarili mo, then you can be a drag queen (To those who want to do drag, darling, go! I started with no budget, I started by borrowing costumes. You don’t need to be extravagant right away, as long as you’re true to yourself, then you can be a drag queen),” the Drag Battle Superstar added.

Queens Letisha, Missy, and Via emerged victorious in the first round against Z3ta, Kheanna, and Celeste, respectively.

The losing queens faced off in a high-stakes lip sync battle for a second chance at making it to the top four, with Celeste claiming the final spot.  

In the semifinals, Missy triumphed over Via, while Letisha claimed victory against Celeste. Ultimately, Missy was deemed the winner against Letisha in the final showdown, securing the Drag Battle crown.

(Photos by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)