Oh she loves this little life with her grandparents!
22-year-old Pranz Fegidero or famously known in her drag queen name, Celestia, uploaded a wholesome video with her grandparents, Merlin and Lyndon showing how supportive they are on her journey as a performer.
In the viral TikTok video, Lola Merlin was seen wearing one of Celestia’s gowns, while Lolo Lyndon happily cheered both of them that garnered more than 85,000 views as of this writing.
“Dumating kasi ako sa bahay na may dalawang gowns na pinahiram ng friend ko na designer.Nilabas ko and usually ‘pag nagfi-fit ako ng mga outfits or gowns, si mommy ‘yung tumutulong sakin sa pagzi-zipper. Sabi niya, ‘Parang ang ganda ng gown, try ko nga.’ To be honest, parang normal day lang siya sa’kin. Very wholesome siya,” Celestia shared the story behind the video.
While Celestia described her parents as conservative, she recalled the time she came out to her family as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“It’s just a random lunch. Sabi nila ‘Bakit wala kang girlfriend?’ Sabi ko, ‘Eh baka boyfriend ‘yung gusto ko.’ Sabi nila lahat sa bahay ‘okay.’ It wasn’t challenging kasi dito sa bahay parang, ‘Okay, bading ka. Go.’ It was more accepting here with my grandparents compared to my parents given that they’re conservative,” she noted.
Since Celestia’s parents were busy working, Lola Merlin and Lolo Lyndon became her second parents.
“When I was in first year high school, sabi ko wala akong friends and then my lola was there sabi niya, ‘Oh, I’ll be your best friend and then I’ll be your partner in crime.’ So, ‘pag nagkakamali ako, tinatago niya kay mama,” Celestia said.
“I wouldn’t be this beautiful siguro if hindi for the love of my grandparents. Kasi ‘di ba ‘pag tinatago mo ‘yung makeup and nagmamadali ka and wala kang support sa family, parang girl, your makeup will be very dugyot kasi hindi siya matatapos. So, it’s different when you feel the love and support kasi matatapos mo ‘yang makeup mo ‘te na walang kaba,” she added.
It was just in 2021 when she started to perform as a drag queen in her province.
“My friend Moi, introduced me to drag. Binigyan niya ko ng wig, nag-practice ako doing makeup. Then nag-perform ako eventually, I won. I was like, ‘Oh, this is my time to shine,’” she said.
Recalling the moment she first saw her apo clad in full make-up and colorful outfit, Lola Merlin said they were surprised with the industry Celestia wanted to be part of.
“Syempre, gulat na gulat kami. Pero wala naman kaming magagawa. ‘Yan ang gusto niya, okay go. Nung bata pa si Pranz [Celestia] parang hindi naman siya gay. Lalaking-lalaki nga eh, until now, oo. Pero gusto niya talaga magcolor-color ng kanyang mukha. Artistic kasi,” Lola Merlin said.
Nevertheless, Lola Merlin became her number one supporter and partner in crime.
“Kasi ‘pag bumihis na ‘yan, nandito ‘yung papa niya sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Pranz [Celestia], umalis ka na nang maaga para hindi ka magkita ng papa mo ganun ‘yung attire mo,’” said Lola Merlin.
“It feels different kasi when you’re in a supportive environment compared to a place where parang tinatago mo pa.It’s very good to have this experience or this support,” Celestia echoed.
“Show your love to your grandparents while they’re still here. It’s the harsh truth, but time is ticking and there should be no regrets,” Celestia stressed when asked about her message to the public.
Lola Merlin added, “Kahit anong sasabihin ng mga lola at lolo niyo or parents n’yo, ‘wag niyo na lang damdamin. It’s okay because parents sila eh, ‘di ba? Minsan ganun talaga ang mga parents.”
