JUST like another beauty queen, drag queen Precious Paula Nicole is showcasing what beauty with a purpose truly means. 

This is because Precious has a mission, which is to provide a haven for elderly, homeless gays who have no one else to turn to. 

Now, more than ever, members of the LGBTQIA+ community are no longer cast aside by society, the world and their own families. Many industries are welcoming to them. In fact, members of the LGBTQIA+ community have been dominating various sectors, and for many, securing their future is no longer in question.

However, this is not the case for many gays of the bygone years. 

Past their prime, some of them are not only old and fragile, but also helpless and homeless. This is why it has been the dream and advocacy of 36-year-old Rodolfo Hontiveros II, more popularly known as Drag Race Philippines season 1 winner Precious Paula Nicole, to build homes for them. 

The dream

Their comfortless situation inspired Precious’ advocacy of providing a permanent residence for elderly gays, particularly the old former drag queens who have once given joy and entertainment to the people. 

“My family has inspired me to be the best version of myself, kaya sa best version of myself, I decided na tulungan ang golden gays, to build a home [for them], hopefully soon,” she told republicasia. 

She has a long road ahead of her, but she is working relentlessly to achieve this, she said. 

“Medyo mahirap siya, medyo mahaba yung road na tatahakin ko. Pero sana mabuo siya kaagad para hindi na mahirapan ‘yung mga golden gays natin na mag-rent ng apartment, the old drag queen queens like us, sila yung mga naunang queens before us,” she said. 

She is particularly aiming to provide a safe place for the elderly, destitute gays once housed at the Home for the Golden Gays, a non-profit organization founded by late LGBTQIA+ community activist, columnist, and former Pasay City Councilor Justo Justo. 

After Justo’s death in 2012, his family evicted the residents of the Home for the Golden Gays. 

One of the former residents of the home was notable figure Walter Dempster, Jr., who made headlines after his story was turned into a movie in 2000.

Dempster, better known as Walterina Markova, was a former drag queen and wartime comfort gay. During World War II, he and his cross-dressing friends were forced to serve the sexual needs of the Japanese Imperial Army. 

The movie based on his life, Markova: Comfort Gay,  was internationally acclaimed. It starred the late comedy king Dolphy and sons Eric and Epy Quizon. 

Dempster died in 2005.

Life as a drag queen

Precious has dedicated 13 years of her life to being a drag queen– a person, often a gay man, dressed in exaggerated make-up and clothing for women who assume female roles in presentations. 

She regularly performs in bars and does guest appearances on television, events and various online platforms.

She is known for her hit impersonation of famous personalities like Regine Velasquez, Beyonce, Mariah Carey and so many more. 

She was able to break into the mainstream after winning the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines, the local counterpart of American reality competition RuPaul’s Drag Race. 

And she has been very instrumental in showcasing to the Filipino viewers the colorful lives of local drag queens. 

When Precious started in the industry, it wasn’t as booming as it is now. In fact, barely a handful were aware of it. 

“13 years ago kasi hindi pa naman kasi siya ganun ka mainstream eh. Underground performers kami. Konting tao lang ang nakakaalam kung anong ibig sabihin ng drag queens,” she recalled.

Even information on the internet about them was scarce back then, she noted. 

But now, drag has become mainstream, and it’s a good thing for her.  

“‘Pag sinabing drag queen, ang lumalabas sa YouTube race, kotse. Hindi kami ganoon kakilala before, hindi kami visible before. Unlike now, ang mga queens ngayon mapapanood mo sa TV, series, mga teleseryes, commercials, and now, mga ambassadress na,” she said. 

Changing mindsets 

Proving that the world of beauty is for all genders, Precious is now an ambassador of a hair care brand, joining beauty queen Catriona Gray among its endorsers.  

It was something she did not think would land in her lap 

“Alam mo, sobrang unexpected nga eh na makasali kami dito sa Creamsilk at mahanay kami kina Catriona Gray. Parang napaka imposible talaga in your wildest dreams,” she said. 

As a child, she thought only beautiful women got the chance to represent a beauty brand, she said. 

But things can apparently change. 

Precious noted that gays and drag queens have been penetrating the beauty world and being named brand ambassadors. This is a win for gender equality, she said.  

“Nakakataba ng puso na pinili rin kami ng Creamsilk at ng iba pang brands na nagtiwala sa kakayanan namin, na nagpapatunay lang na hindi kami naiiba,” she said.

“Hindi kami dapat juna-judge. Hindi kami inihihiwalay sa mga tao dahil ang gusto lang naman ng mga queens ay mag-perform at ituloy lang yung passion namin. Gusto lang namin magtrabaho at magpasaya ng tao,” she added.