Charles Teves
Filipino drag performer Pura Luka Vega faced strong criticism from senators after sharing a video of himself singing a remix version of the Catholic Mass worship song, ‘Ama Namin,’ to an enthusiastic crowd at a bar.
The remix was in a punk rock style, and Vega performed the song while dressed in an outfit that appeared to depict Jesus Christ.
The performance has generated a range of responses from internet users.
Some individuals have condemned Vega’s actions as ‘offensive’ and ‘blasphemous,’ while others have staunchly defended the drag artist, arguing that it was simply an ‘artistic expression.’
Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman, who is the first transgender woman lawmaker in the Philippines, decided to criticize other members of the LGBTQIA+ community in response to the performance.
“As a Catholic, I feel offended,” she told ABS-CBN in a text message.
She also pointed out that while individuals may argue for their constitutional right to freedom of expression, it is important to note that this freedom is not without limitations.
“Kailangan pa ba ng ganitong klaseng provocation? Anong ambag nito sa LGBT rights?” Roman said.
“Your rights end where the rights of others begin. Umayos kayo,” she added.
Roman also extended a message to Catholics who were offended by the incident.
“Sa mga Katoliko na na-offend, I feel for you. Kasama ninyo akong nasasaktan. Pero sana ‘wag niyong isipin na lahat kami sa Community ay ganito. Maraming LGBT+ ang nagmamahal at naglilingkod sa Dios at Simbahan,” she said.
Senator JV Ejercito also criticized Vega for portraying Jesus in his attire and referred to it as an act of blasphemy.
“This is blasphemy. This disrespects my faith. This went overboard,” Ejercito tweeted.
This is blasphemy.
This disrespects my faith.
This went overboard. https://t.co/Y9XELNOtFk
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) July 12, 2023
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) implored the public to exercise great caution in their actions when incorporating religious elements and faith into secular contexts.
“Dancing to the tune of a sacred and biblical prayer, with matching sacred costume to boot, is completely disrespectful not only of people and institutions practicing such faith but of God Himself,” said Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs.
“Faith and sacred objects are not for entertainment purposes. They are useful for channeling our deepest desire to have recourse to the Divine,” he added.
Despite facing criticism, Vega has refused to apologize.
“I’d like to stress that my drag performance as Jesus was not meant to disrespect anyone. On the contrary, it is a drag art interpretation of worship,” he said on Twitter space.
“I was very intentional of using a specific song and the symbolism to relate the queer crowd with the intersection of queerness and religion.”
Vega continued to defend himself in separate statements.
“I’d like to stress that my drag performance as Jesus was not meant to disrespect anyone. On the contrary, it is a drag art interpretation of worship. I was very intentional of using a specific song and the symbolism to relate the queer crowd with the intersection of queerness and religion,” he texted ABS-CBN.
“I won’t delete it nor will apologize for doing it. To begin with, our mere existence as queer individuals already offends people. Drag is also queer and when I think about it, to me, it’s really just a yassified worship/lipsync of the Lord’s Prayer. There’s a part of me that feels weird to explain my art when I don’t owe anyone an explanation of things. People are free to make interpretations of it. The way I see it, our reactions and perceptions reveal our values which we need to reflect on,” he said in a statement.
