Photo from Dreamscape Entertainment.
MANILA — For director JP Habac, the boom in the local drag scene after "Drag Race Philippines" last year opened more doors for stories centered on members of the LGBT community.
"Para sa 'kin, walang pinipiling oras 'yung pagpapalabas ng ganitong klaseng series. I think, hindi lang naman po 'Drag You and Me' 'yung nag-umpisa,. Siguro magandang i-acknowledge rin po natin 'yung mga iba pang series na nauna for the past few years," Habac said in a press conference.
"I think magandang opportunity po ito kasi mas marami na 'yung makakapanood kasi nasa mainstream media na po 'yung 'Drag You and Me' (and) 'yung drag in particular, mas maraming taong makakapanood nitong ganitong klaseng series," he added.
Habac is glad to direct a story like "Drag You and Me" that centers on the struggles of the LGBT with diverse representation from the community.
"Kung iisipin, nung bata ako, wala akong napapanood na ganitong mga palabas and kung meron akong napanood na ganitong klaseng palabas hindi siguro ako maduduwag, mas magiging matapang ako habang lumalaki. Pero wala akong napanood na ganitong klaseng palabas. Kapag tinatanong ko 'yung sarili ko, 'yung universe kung bakit ngayon lang nagkakaroon ng ganitong palabas, ang nakukuha kong sagot ay at least meron na," the director said.
"Hindi man ako nung bata nakaranas ng ganitong klaseng palabas, at least 'yung mga bata ngayon, mga queer kids na makakapanood nito, makikita na nila 'yung sarili nila on screen, sa media and sa mainstream. Doon siguro ako nagiging masaya as a creator, as a filmmaker na mare-represent na nang tama 'yung community sa mainstream media," he added.
The director noted how the series would tackle the importance of allyship between women and the LGBT community.
"'Yung struggles kasi ng LGBT community at ng mga babae, hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas kung 'di sa buong mundo. Hindi pa rin sila nakakaranas ng same rights, treatment ng mga straight, ng mga cis men," he said.
"I think 'yung struggles ng community and ng women are actually same ground 'yung discrimination, 'yung treatment. I think magandang maipakita rin na iisa 'yung pinaglalaban at gustong makuha from the show."
Episodes of "Drag You and Me" will be available on iWantTFC starting June 2.
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