Making it werk for everyone: Drag Race viewing parties define the labor-driven future of the Philippine drag economy

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale is drawing massive crowds, with many fans opting for weekly viewing parties as their preferred way to watch. These gatherings have become vital economic hubs, allowing fans to not only watch the episode but also to directly engage with and support the queens through live performances and personal interactions.

When Top 4 finalist Arizona Brandy launched Arizona Bonding, a weekly Sunday “re-watch” party for Slaysian Royale at Hoesik, Poblacion, Makati, the demand immediately broke the usual mold. 

On October 5, 2025, adobo Magazine attended the 5 p.m. screening and witnessed the massive turnout: fans had already lined up at 1 p.m. to ensure they were among the first 20 people who would get a chance to meet and greet the performing lineup.

The star-studded lineup featured Drag Race Philippines Season 2 Miss Congeniality Hana Beshie as host, with featured performances by Season 1 contestant Minty Fresh and Canada’s Drag Race star, Slaysian Royale Top 4 finalist and Miss Congeniality Suki Doll. 

The night followed a clear, interactive format: individual performances preceded a live-reaction re-watch of the previous week’s episode and games. Although the spontaneous nature of the event kept everyone on the edge of their seats, the energy was primarily defined by infectious laughter and collective celebration.

“You get to see the reactions of the queens live and the experience is different when you see the queens in person,” explained fan China Santos. 

China, attending Arizona Bonding for the second time, firmly believed the PHP 900 ticket she spent was worth every penny.

It was a different but slightly familiar experience when adobo Magazine attended a regular viewing party where the episode was shown the same night it came out. D’Intervention, produced by Adonis Prod House, took place at the Rampa Club in Quezon City.

The star power at the event on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, was undeniable and confirmed its massive drawing power. The lineup featured an incredible mix of talent, including previous winners Maxie and Captivating KatKat, Season 3 contestant Zymba Ding, Season 1 alum Corazon, Drag Den Philippines alum Maria Cristina, and the Slaysian Royale queens themselves: Arizona, Top 2 finalist Viñas DeLuxe, and the crowned winner, Brigiding.

The night dazzled, the fans screamed, and when the episode revealed its result, the crowd erupted in celebration: Brigiding herself snagged her third Ru-Badge, securing the final maxi challenge win just before the grand finale.

“Ito na yung full-circle moment ng pinag-daanan ko (this is the full-circle moment of what I’ve been through). Ito na yung Brigiding na fullest form (this is Brigiding’s fullest form) — not yet perfect, but this is the version of Brigiding where I found my light,” the matriarch of the House of Ding exclusively told adobo Magazine at the time.

The growth in numbers and audience demographic

Adonis Prod House Founder and Producer Adrian Perez Sevilla vividly recalls the economic boom: When they launched viewing parties for Drag Race Philippines Season 1 in 2022, they initially scouted venues that could accommodate just 80 people. Now, the demand has ballooned so big that their recent events are selling out venues accommodating over 400 attendees.

Photo from Bekenemen

This growth in numbers mirrors a significant expansion in the audience demographic. The success of the viewing parties has opened doors to new audiences, transcending the core LGBTQIA+ community to embrace straight allies and a demographic of first-time drag fans.

On the other hand, Bekenemen Co-Founder Baus Rufo credits the show’s international format for fueling this unprecedented boom, stating firmly that this is the “biggest viewing party season yet.” This expansion provided the boost needed to propel local events into the massive phenomenon they are today.

It’s not just the queens that benefit from viewing parties

Producing these large-scale viewing parties truly takes a village. From the queens on stage to the crucial team behind the tech booth and the production assistants, the event operates as a thriving ecosystem that financially benefits every layer of labor.

“Bars and venues earn more, their staff like servers and tech teams get more work hours, and even suppliers, runners, and PAs benefit. Wednesdays are usually slow nights for bars, but during Drag Race season, they’re packed,” Adrian explained.

Baus also noted that whenever there’s a new Drag Race season, it’s “almost like a stimulus package for the creative industry.” This seasonal injection of cash ensures that everyone benefits from the resulting shows from hair stylists, nail technicians, to all the associated crew and venue staff.

Cha Mallari, a production assistant at Rampa, confirmed that the seasonal viewing parties provide her with a crucial extra source of income. This sentiment was echoed by Hoesik production staff Winnielaine Samonte, who relies on the event work as a profitable “side job” that supplements her regular bar salary.

In addition to earning, wig stylist Zychotic also utilizes viewing parties as a way to promote his art and products with the help of visibility from influential queer artists. 

“With the lack of recognition when it comes to queer artists, I think events like these and people who book us gradually makes our craft known more — not just in our own community. It may sound small but it’s a big deal for us to have our work seen by people. It gives us the validation we need because we spend time working on our craft,” he said.

The future of viewing parties

As Slaysian Royale concludes, the queens and organizers are already looking towards the future, hopeful that this seasonal success can become a year-round industry. Looking ahead, Arizona hopes to leverage the platform that Arizona Bonding created, extending it far beyond a seasonal viewing party into a large-scale, ongoing stage show with more performers in bigger venues. 

Photo from Bekenemen

Crowned winner Brigiding is equally optimistic about the future, noting that the economic impact of viewing parties extends beyond the performing queens to benefit a broader community, including designers, wig stylists, and production teams. She firmly believes this ecosystem will continue to flourish and grow bigger for everyone involved.

The organizers share this vision for expansion. Adrian emphasized the goal of making future events “even bigger and better,” striving for experiences that are more immersive, exciting, and accessible to match the continually growing fan base.

Echoing the same sentiments, Baus noted that the surge of new viewing parties is due to drag’s “very strong local flavor,” which resonates deeply with Filipino fans. 

However, from a producer’s perspective, he stressed the necessity to “future-proof” business operations to ensure stability and longevity. This strategy must also involve celebrating new organizers, as the rising tide of viewing parties continues to lift the entire community.

The success of events like Arizona Bonding, D’Intervention, and Bekenemen is more than just a momentary triumph; It is a powerful affirmation of the drag and viewing party economy in the Philippines. 

While the queens compete for a physical crown, the real winners are the community members who gain economic stability.

The viewing party phenomenon is now established not just as a seasonal event, but as a platform for Filipino artistry, creativity, community, and economic empowerment. The applause for the finale is just the opening curtain for what’s next, ensuring that this success story benefits every layer of labor involved.

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