Mc Richard Paglicawan
Controversial drag queen Pura Luka Vega, known in real life as Amadeus Fernando Pagente, has been released from detention after spending three days behind bars.
Her arrest on October 4, carried out at her residence in Sta. Cruz, Manila, was related to charges of violating the Revised Penal Code Article 201’s Immoral Doctrines Obscene Publications and Exhibitions and Indecent Shows provisions, with a bail set at P72,000.
Initially slated for release on October 6 following the approval of her motion for bail, Vega faced an additional night in detention due to processing delays.
The charges stemmed from a case filed by devotees of the Black Nazarene, known as the Hijos del Nazareno, who took offense at one of Vega’s performances.
A successful fundraising campaign for Pura Luka Vega, spearheaded by ‘Drag Den Philippines’ director Rod Singh and joined by fellow drag queens, garnered over half a million pesos. The campaign aimed to secure Vega’s temporary release and support her legal defense.
Several drag performers, including Manila Luzon, Eva Le Queen, Dee Dee Marie Holliday, Corazon Filipinas, Hana Beshie, and Shewarma, expressed their solidarity with Vega through social media posts. They decried her arrest as “oppressive” and a form of “persecution” against the LGBTQIA+ community.
OPM icon Ice Seguerra also weighed in, questioning lawmakers’ commitment to upholding the separation of church and state and the protection of LGBTQIA+ community rights.
Throughout her detention, Pura Luka Vega maintained her innocence and clarified that her intent was never to mock anyone’s beliefs. She acknowledged that people have the right to feel hurt or offended by her actions and harbored no ill will toward them.
In addition to her legal challenges in Manila, Vega faces three cases filed by the Philippines for Jesus Movement in Quezon City.
Her viral performance, featuring the song ‘Ama Namin’ and attire resembling the Black Nazarene, stirred outrage among some religious leaders, who demanded accountability for what they perceived as an affront to their faith.
