Former Drag Den Philippines contestant Pura Luka Vega was declared persona non grata in Manila City and Bukidnon during the sessions of its respective councils after her controversial impersonation of Jesus in a viral “Ama Namin” drag performance.
According to a report by The Philippine STAR, the resolution was unanimously approved by the Manila city council whose 26 councilors attended a session presided over by Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto and Majority Floor Leader Jong Isip.
The session approved the resolution proposed by District 5 Councilor Ricardo Isip Jr. to have Pura, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, proclaimed “unwelcome in Manila for performances portraying the Black Nazarene of Quiapo Church which the lawmakers believe is a symbol of the city”.
Local news outlet ABS-CBN News quoted Isip’s sponsorship speech in a report, “Ito pong taong ito ay walang habas at ‘di man lang pinag-isipan ang kanyang ginawa … [I]sang kalapastangan po ang kanyang ginawang palabas. Hindi po dapat itong palagpasin kasi ‘pag pinalagpas natin ito, baka maparisan po ito. Kailangan na po nating gumawa ng aksyon.”
Councilor Jaybee Hizon also reiterated the importance of the Black Nazarene to the city, emphasizing that “freedom of speech should not be used to offend religious feelings.”
On the same day, Pura was also pronounced unwelcome in the province of Bukidnon after its council concluded its session with the resolution declaring them as persona non grata.
This marks the fourth province that declared a persona non grata to the drag performer.
Other provinces have also approved similar resolutions including the councils of General Santos City and the municipalities of Floridablanca in Pampanga and Toboso in Negros Occidental.
Pura is also facing criminal charges from the Philippines for Jesus Movement filed in Quezon City for violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Article 201 states that persons who perform “indecent or immoral” acts “whether live or in film” that “offend any race or religion” are deemed punishable by law.
Pura, who identifies as non-binary, competed in the first season of Drag Den Philippines and was the first bearded drag queen to ever join a Filipino drag show.
