JC shares the best and challenging parts of playing drag queen – plus, watch his makeup transformation | ABS-CBN

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JC shares the best and challenging parts of playing drag queen – plus, watch his makeup transformation

JC shares the best and challenging parts of playing drag queen – plus, watch his makeup transformation

Liezel dela Cruz

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JC shares the best and challenging parts of playing drag queen – plus, watch his makeup transformation
iWantTFC

Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.

Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.

Drag You And Me star JC Alcantara lets us in on his makeup routine for his drag scenes in the series, plus his thoughts about the LGBTQ community.

In the iWantTFC series, JC plays Shanaia Lacroix, a bisexual drag queen with an unbreakable fighting spirit. But, sans the makeup and fabulous costume, Shanaia is Jason, a shy guy scared to admit his sexuality to his parents.

JC, quite an introvert in real life, finds a liberating sense of confidence when donning his drag costume and performing for his scenes. “Nu’ng nag-drag ako, sa sarili ko, ‘Maganda ako, gagawin ko lahat, sasayaw ako, makukuha ko lahat,’ parang ganu’n.”

However, it comes with challenging parts like the painstaking process of putting on and off his makeup and costume for scene continuity. Removing the makeup is even more difficult due to the harsh scrubbing that causes skin redness. JC rarely wears makeup on other days, although they were provided by Star Magic with makeup training to help them look presentable during auditions.

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He enjoys every bit of his experience as a drag queen, thanks in part to his co-stars and the professional drag performers in the cast. One of them, Lady Morgana, has become his mentor. He asked for advice and was told to enjoy his performance, “Damdamin ko, i-feel ko daw bawat buka ng bibig ko.” He also asks for help from his glam team, who taught him how to move gracefully.

JC rehearses his lip sync battles by listening to the song repeatedly, although most of their performances are spontaneous. “Kami mismo gagawa ng steps namin. May iba na may steps, tinuturuan naman kami. Pero ‘yung iba, sarili lang namin,” he shared. “Habang tumatagal mas dumadali siya kasi umaarte naman tayo, so ganu’n ‘yung ginagawa ko, umaarte din.”

He continued, “Masaya siya. Nakakawawala din siya ng stress ‘pag umaarte ako at nagda-drag ako.” That’s why he would support normalizing drag for all genders. “Drag is for everyone. Kumbaga, art siya.”

This project opened his eyes to the real struggles that drag queens go through behind the scenes. He learned that it really takes effort, time, and organic talent to create a dazzling drag performance.

“Ito makeup pa lang, mga one hour na ‘to. Last time umabot kami ng two hours. Sobrang hirap ng makeup, pagkakabit ng wig, ‘yung sa suot,” he shared.

“Grabe! Nakakabilib sila na nakakaya nila. Pero ‘yung nakukuha nila sa mga tao, alam mo ‘yun, hindi sapat. Kasi sobrang effort nila para mapasaya nila tayo. Gagawin nila lahat para ma-enjoy natin ‘yung performance nila tapos makakakita pa tayo ng magagandang mukha ng mga drag queens.”

Always up for the challenge, JC didn’t have regrets accepting this role. “Ibang character naman ‘to. Mas malikot, may drama, comedy. Hindi ako nag-hesitate. Mas na-excite ako na ma-portray ang ganitong role,” he said, thanking his management for their trust.

The reason why he’s so invested in this role, apart from he is naturally passionate, is because it’s an ode to his former handler, who passed away after he got the role.

“Nakita niya ‘yung transformation ko, ‘Grabe! Sobrang ganda mo,’ sabi niya sa akin. No’ng mag-start na kami ng taping, na –stroke siya tapos sabi ko sa kanya bago siya mawala, ‘Tita Arnie, para sa’yo ‘to. Ibibigay ko best ko dito,’” he knows he's making his Tita Arnie proud.

As to his thoughts about the LGBTQ community, JC reflected that he’s glad about the growing support and acceptance for the community. He’s happy that gay couples are becoming less scared to come out.

“It takes time talaga,” he mused. “Mahirap magtago pero ‘pag nakawala ka na doon sa pinagtataguan mo, mae-enjoy mo ‘yung life mo na hindi ka na takot na husgahana ka. Kung wala kang tinatapakang tao, nagpapasaya ka ng tao, matatanggap ka rin ng pamilya mo at mga kaibigan mo.”

Asked what his gayest attitude is, he thought of his being a breadwinner. “Mas masarap sa akin na nakakatulong ako at nakikita kong masaya sila pag natutulungan ko sila.”

“’Di ba ganu’n naman ‘yung mga gay? Gagawin nila lahat para sa pamilya nila para makita masaya sila.”

Support JC in Drag You And Me,” also starring Andrea Brillantes and Christian Bables, available via iWantTFC every Friday at 8 PM.

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