The cameras captured Misua while she was still here. But when the second episode of “Drag Race Philippines” season 4 aired Friday, the Cagayan de Oro artist was no longer there to watch the story unfold.
'Drag Race Philippines' queens honor the late Misua during the second episode of the series aired Friday. Screengrab from WOW Presents Plus.
Instead, she remained in the episode in another form: in a yellow dragon twirling under the lights, in memories that brought her sisters to tears, and in a song that turned a lipsync into a farewell.
World of Wonder confirmed on April 2 that Misua had died in her sleep while the fourth season was still in production. Following her passing, production was temporarily paused to give the queens the care and time to grieve.
Episode 2 eventually brought that loss to the screen, revealing the absence that had already changed the season behind the cameras.
Throughout the episode, a yellow dragon became a recurring image—a reference to the dragon that appeared during her talent performance in the season’s premiere.
Her girl group, Eme La’ Chikazsx, brought the dragon back, with Manza carrying and whirling it around as the queens listened to the verse Misua had written.
Host Mamwa Pao and the judges—KaladKaren, Jon Santos, and Maki—paused to acknowledge Misua’s passing and the space she left behind.
“And with that, we shall honor our beloved Misua by giving you all the very best show—exactly as she would have wanted,” Mamwa Pao said during her runway entrance.
For Merckz, the moment carried memories of the friendship and creative bond she shared with Misua.
“Sabi niya, ‘ate nasa spotlight na tayo.’ Tapos the next day naririnig ko [‘yong balita] tapos parang hindi man lang nag-ano ‘yong universe na alam mo ‘yon, ‘di man lang [ni Misua] na-enjoy ‘yong moment. Alam ko naman na she wouldn’t want us…na parang magiging defeated tayo dahil nawala siya,” Merckz said.
The tribute continued during the episode’s lipsync battle, when Katana and Merckz faced off to “Dilaw” by Maki for the coveted RuBadge.
In the middle of their battle, Katana noticed that Merckz was already on the verge of tears. She moved toward her and hugged her before the two eventually brought out Misua’s dragon.
Katana and Merckz took turns dancing with the dragon, turning the prop into a farewell message to their sister. Merckz won the lipsync—and her first RuBadge—and dedicated the victory to Misua.
“IKAW AY DILAW”
The episode found its own language for grief. The yellow motif echoed the dragon that had first appeared with Misua, turning a familiar image from the premiere into a symbol of remembrance.
After the episode aired, Hana Beshie shared her gratitude for the season 4 queens and the way they carried her sister through the episode.
Other “Drag Race Philippines” alums and international queens also joined the outpouring of messages for the late drag artist.
Misua, 27, was a drag artist from Cagayan de Oro. She was a member of Haus of Lafeya, alongside Hana Beshie, Jordi, Clementine Dius, Maharlika Queen, and Lamisha Bay.
Misua during the 'Meet the Queens' of 'Drag Race Philippines' season 4. Screengrab from WOW Presents/YouTube
During “Meet the Queens,” Misua explained that she took her drag name from her grandmother’s favorite dish, a name that also resonated with her Filipino-Chinese roots.
Her family was also part of the story she brought to the competition. In the premiere, she spoke about how meaningful it was to see her family gathered together as she prepared to enter the franchise, a kind of gathering that did not happen often for her.
“It was nice seeing my family na nakikita ako during the preparation. Iyong papa ko [nandoon din], habang nagpi-pick ako ng looks, it was nice,” she said.
Misua admitted it warmed her heart to see her family embracing that side of her: “I’m very afraid to show that part of me kasi I don’t feel like they’d welcome it as much as I want them to.”
“Noong nag-start akong mag-drag, talagang sinabihan ako na ‘tigilan mo ‘yan’ kasi ‘di naman daw ako pinag-aral para lang magsayaw-sayaw around bars. But over time, na-feel ko na they accept me naman,” she added.
Their acceptance gave her confidence as she stepped onto the stage.
For Misua, the competition was also an opportunity to bring her experiences and her community’s drag scene onto a global platform.
She did not get the chance to showcase her “Pa-cyborg” look on the mainstage, but the ensemble was eventually shared online. Her fellow drag artists have since worn and shared pieces she created.
Misua may no longer be walking the runway, but her drag is still moving. Her dragon is still dancing. And somewhere, beneath the lights, there will always be a little yellow reminding them that she was there.