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At around 2am Manila time Friday, May 29, 20-year-old Filipino Marc Zapanta, who has been living in England for 10 years now, will be somewhere in London, performing in front of RuPaul.
Or to be more specific, he’ll be competing against 20 other finalists to become RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Ambassador.
“I feel like I was made for this,” the Filipino says in a thick British accent. We spoke to him as he was on his way to his performance and to meet RuPaul. “I’m excited and emotional. Honestly, I’ve been working so hard for moments like this so I’m ready for it, but it is still overwhelming,” he says.
Everything happened so fast. As he was preparing to film another episode for his make up vlog on YouTube, he came across the search ad on Facebook. “The call had been up for a month already. It was already deadline time when I saw it. I saw it on Tuesday, I think they were going to close the search on Wednesday on Thursday. Everything was last minute, but even if I was unprepared, I knew I could do it.”
He forgot about the vlog episode, filmed for his audition video instead, and then quickly submitted it. On Friday as he was getting ready for a beauty conference/meet-up, he got an email from the producers, saying he made it as one of the 21 finalists. “I heaved a sigh of relief. Then I told my friends from Uni who were interested in drag, and then I told my sister and my mom. I told my other friends about it and asked for their opinions for hair makeup because I really want to win.”
Okay, so you’re on your way to meet RuPaul!
Yes, I’m excited and emotional. I think the past few weeks have been emotional. I’ve been doing so many things because of my YouTube channel. I had a beauty conference and I met so many of my viewers who traveled far just to meet me. It was crazy. It was overwhelming. Sobrang happy ko and nakaka-overwhelm.
Can you tell me more about how you joined this RuPaul thing?
I only submitted my video last Tuesday, I got the email from them on Friday. I only had 6 days to prepare but because I’ve been working, and I did my meet up, I really couldn’t think about the competition until this Tuesday. So technically, I only had two days to prepare for tonight!
Are you ready? How did you prepare?
Last Tuesday, my cousins and I went to Nottingham to shop and device an outfit. I styled my wig and rehearsed only yesterday. But I had the songs on my iPhone, which have been on repeat, so I know the words already.
How will the competition go?
There are 21 of us finalists and we’re split into three. There are also three songs but we don’t know which songs we’ll be performing so we have to be prepare for all three songs.
So how did you prepare for three songs in two days?
First of all, alam ko hindi ako mag-ga-gown. I need an outfit na makakagalaw ako. We wanted something bongga. I was heavily inspired by Vince Ganda and Anne Curtis for that extra [bongga] factor.
Makeup wise, gusto ko mataray para when the other finalists see me, they’ll feel intimidated. Lots of glitter, pink lips, brows up to the heavens.
Your audition video looks very elaborate — you mean to tell me you only did that in a day?
A couple of hours actually. I’ve been vlogging for three years now, so I’m used to filming and editing. I had that perk of knowing what to do. Mabilis lang. My costumes are all just lying around the house. Marami na akong materials. I know this is what I’m meant to do. And I know I can do it. I’ll be representing a lot of communities: Filipinos, Asian, the YouTube community as well. I’m so fit for the job. I’m gonna kill it with the performance. Gusto ko talaga.
Loving the confidence.
Even if I was so unprepared for my auditipon tape, I knew I could do it. I have the hunger and the desire to be in the top 21. I wanted it and I was expecting it. I’m really grateful. I love the show, and honestly, when I’m with my friends, I lip sync and dance as if I were performing in front of RuPaul. And now it’s become a reality.
You know, last month, I remember dancing to a Rihanna song the whole day, thinking I was dancing in front of RuPaul.
You made it even without a drag name!
Yes, but for tonight, I have a drag name.
What is it?
It’s bastos. It’s…Pukimon. Ha ha ha, I wanted something Filipino, so I was thinking gay linggo. I came up with that. I’ll explain to them what it means during Q&A portion.
Who do you think is your biggest competitor?
The Manchester Queens. There are 6 of them from the 21. They’re a drag family so I know they’ll be rooting for each other.
Aren’t you afraid of all the reading?
Sanay na ko, with life, through YouTube, bullying, even ever since naman sa Pilipinas. Ganun talaga, syempre easy target. But the love always overshadows the hate.
You come from a Filipino family, and we know how conservative we can be. What did your family say?
They’re very supportive. When I started doing makeup, my mom asked — because I also draw — she asked why I was doing more makeup than drawing. But when she saw what YouTube and what makeup has done for me, super proud siya. Pati kuya ko, pati papa ko, who are both brusko, they’re super proud.
Last night, I saw my kuya showing his guy friend my audition video. Proud siya. This is my first time to do drag so I had to explain to them. They’re totally supportive.
Do you know Paolo Ballesteros?
Yes! He’s amazing. I follow him on Instagram. We’re doing the same thing except he does it in pictures and I do it on video.
Inside photo: Marc Zapanta/Instagram
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