After going through a challenging time in their career as a drag artist for the past few years, local performer Pura Luka Vega (whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Magallanes Pagente) admits they is focusing their energy this year on helping others through their work as an advocacy officer when they are not busy performing on stage this year.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN during the gala night of the Delia D. musical, Pura shared what they are currently focused on this month. "Well, I am engaging myself with a lot of creative projects and I’m currently part of an NGO that provides legal services for LGBTQIA individuals who are facing discrimination. It’s called Rainbow Rights. So it’s really just a balance of advocacy work, creative work, and just living my life, ganun,” they said.
READ: Filipino drag queen fights for freedom to express faith
Choosing to focus their energy more on helping and supporting their fellow performers, Pura Luka Vega admits that their mother was a big influence on them and keeping their faith as a Roman Catholic. “A memory that is very important to me is when my mom gave me a rosary. She is actually the main factor why I am still very Catholic. She gave me a rosary that I still keep with me until this day. She gave it to me when I was around 13, 14, mga ganung age,” they shared.
READ: 'Drag Den PH' stars appeal for help following Pura Luka Vega's arrest
After receiving criticism for performing in drag as Jesus Christ in a show in 2023, Pura was charged in a case involving "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows", in breach of Article 201 of the Criminal Code. They were subsequently arrested before posting bail three days after their fellow drag artists mounted a fundraising show to help raise P892,975.60 in donations for them.
Despite what they went through, Pura shard that it has not made them want to step back from the limelight. “It’s more of just putting myself out there. Kasi I think there’s a lot of opportunities for artistic things to still be done. And also supporting my fellow drag performers in their endeavors. So I’ve been attending a lot of theater productions, a lot of stuff on films, short films, a lot of these beautiful projects from queer creatives nonetheless. So why not di ba? Let’s just continue to do queer, beautiful art works through different mediums kahit pelikula man yan, kahit teatro man yan, lahit drag. Everyone’s just free to do whatever they want to do,” they said.
Since making their debut in the first season of the reality talent competition Drag Den Philippines in 2022, Pura told PUSH ABS-CBN that they have lots of exciting plans happening this year, “You’ll be seeing more of me, for sure!”