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Mobile photography is no longer a luxury but a basic and essential feature of every modern smartphone. The combination of a main camera, ultra-wide lens, and selfie camera is now standard across most devices, providing users with an immediate entry into photography.

But with the advent of the telephoto lens-a concept gaining new life in the mid-range market-a new horizon of possibilities has opened up. The question remains: How far can a telephoto lens really take you?

As the calendar’s third quarter wraps up, vivo Philippines is signaling a strong finish, launching its latest camera-centric device, the vivo V60, following the release of the V50 just last February.

Known as the company’s dedicated line for imaging innovation, the V60 promises to build on the success of its legacy model. It features a ZEISS-powered camera system, enhanced battery life, and smart AI capabilities designed to elevate the user experience.

After spending a week with the phone, here is my initial review of the vivo V60’s performance.

Design and Build Quality

The Berry Purple variant is, without a doubt, an aesthetic highlight. Its back panel features a frosted matte glass finish-a deliberate choice that emphasizes elegance and sleekness through simplicity, entirely foregoing distracting patterns or gradients. While the finish still catches light smudges when held, they aren’t very evident from a distance.

Coming from a smaller device, the V60’s dimensions of 163.53 × 76.96 × 7.65 mm initially felt substantial in the hand. However, the phone’s weight and balance quickly become manageable. While the width might make one-handed use challenging for some users, the overall grip comfort is excellent and is certainly not a dealbreaker.

The durability of the device is enhanced with the top-grade IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings. This ensures the phone is resilient against everything from dust exposure and accidental water splashes to rain and even high-pressure water jets, bringing peace of mind for daily use.

Screen and audio experience

As someone who enjoys media consumption on a phone, the vivo V60’s display is surprisingly a highlight of the user experience. The wide-screen ratio, paired with ultra-narrow bezels and a 120 Hz refresh rate, makes the viewing experience fluidly responsive and highly immersive.

The V60’s AMOLED panel delivers high quality thanks to two key technologies: the P3 Cinema-Grade Wide Color Gamut, which provides a significantly broader palette of vivid, accurate colors, and HDR10+ Certification.

This combination ensures content is displayed with a high dynamic range, providing clear detail even in deep blacks and bright highlights, which is crucial for an enjoyable viewing experience of any series or video, supporting up to 4K resolution.

Furthermore, the V60 now boasts an impressive 5,000 nits of peak brightness, a substantial upgrade over its predecessor. This powerful brightness ensures the screen remains perfectly visible even under direct sunlight.

The immersive display is well complemented by the vivo V60’s Dual Stereo Speakers, which offer good audio performance. With speakers positioned on both the top and bottom of the device, the sound output is more even and balanced.

When watching content like live music performances, the sound quality truly shines, delivering good bass response, clear details in harmonies and vocals, and precise separation of instrument tracks.

Crucially, even when the volume is maxed out, the audio quality remains clear and uncompromised, avoiding any harsh or ‘blown-out’ distortion.

Camera performance

The camera system is arguably the highlight of the vivo V60 experience. It is now equipped with a powerful quad-camera array featuring ZEISS-optimized lenses: a 50MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera, a 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, an 8MP ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera, and a 50MP ZEISS Group Selfie Camera.

The 50MP Main Camera delivered consistently high-quality, clear photos in bright conditions, capturing subjects with impressive crispness and detail. As expected, low-light performance saw some compromises; while images remained visible at night, details occasionally appeared softened or pixelated.

The 8MP Ultra Wide-Angle Camera is useful for capturing large groups or expansive landscapes, producing images with good, necessary detail. However, users should note that the ultra-wide sensor, common to most phones, is not the optimal choice for low-light environments, as image details tend to diminish significantly.

The 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera is the main highlight and a true game-changer in the mid-range category. Leveraging its optical zoom, I was able to capture clear and sharp photos of a volleyball match from a lower box section of the arena.

Pushing the zoom further to 100x still produced decent and recognizable images of the players and their teams from my distant seat. To manage expectations, remember that image quality inherently compromises as the digital zoom level increases, resulting in greater image wash-out and loss of detail.

The telephoto lens is also responsible for the phone’s dedicated Telephoto Portrait feature that introduces new 85mm and 100mm focal lengths. The portraits produced using these settings are noted for their sharpness and crisp details.

The 50MP ZEISS Group Selfie Camera is capable of capturing high-quality individual portraits with clear detail. For group selfies, however, there is a tendency for some faces on the edges to lose sharpness and appear slightly washed out.

Taking videos with the vivo V60 is equally efficient, providing clear visual quality and good accompanying audio.

Battery and Performance

Beyond the fluid 120Hz refresh rate, the vivo V60 delivers responsive and high-performance operation thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor. This chipset promises a 27% faster CPU and a 30% stronger GPU, which is further supported by a 12GB + 12GB Extended RAM configuration.

In practical use, intensive tasks pose no challenge. Playing graphically demanding games like Mobile Legends with settings maximized to ultra-high graphics was seamless. Furthermore, running multiple applications simultaneously resulted in no noticeable hiccups or lags.

To maintain optimal function during heavy use, the device incorporates an Ultra Large VC Smart Cooling System, which effectively ensures the phone’s temperature remains low during high-performing tasks.

When it comes to battery life, the vivo V60 is powered by a massive 6,500 mAh BlueVolt Battery, offering exceptional longevity regardless of user habits. In a test involving substantial usage-a total of 3 hours and 15 minutes of screen-on time, including 1 hour and 57 minutes of video playback, 19 minutes of gaming, and 26 minutes of camera use-the phone only consumed 30% of its total battery capacity from a full charge.

When it comes to recharging, the V60 proved to be fast, running from 0% to 100% in just 1 hour and 9 minutes.

Smart AI features

Adding more depth to the phone’s overall functionality, the vivo V60 integrates several subtle but useful Smart AI features designed to enhance photography and streamline content creation.

For post-processing, the V60 offers two powerful editing tools. The first is AI Erase 3.0, which allows users to seamlessly remove unwanted objects, people, or imperfections from photos with enhanced precision. The second is AI Magic Move, which enables creative manipulation and movement of elements within the image for easy composition changes directly on the device.

Meanwhile, the V60 also features the AI Image Expander, allowing you to intelligently widen your photos’ surroundings. Complementing this is the AI Four-Season Portrait, which lets you instantly transform the seasonal backdrop of your portraits for added ambiance effects.

In terms of capture assistance, the V60 features the AI Aura Light. Though slightly smaller than the one on its predecessor, the V50, this intelligent lighting system still effectively analyzes the scene and adjusts the intensity and color temperature of the rear flash.

With its smooth display, optimized performance, and exceptional battery life, the vivo V60 is already a strong value-for-money contender in the midrange market. However, its versatile set of cameras might just set this phone apart from its competitors. The Super Telephoto lens not only takes you far by capturing sharp details from extreme distances, but it also elevates your entire mobile photography experience, pushing capabilities far beyond typical midrange expectations.

The vivo V60 phones are priced at Php 28,999 for the 12 GB+256 GB variant, and Php 30,999 for the 12GB+512GB variant. Both are available for purchase at authorized Vivo stores nationwide. You can also check out online via the vivo e-store, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.

AS part of Globe’s 10th year of 917 GDay celebrations, Globe Business hosted G Fair 2025, a two-day event that celebrated Filipino craftsmanship while elevating its commitment to local entrepreneurs. Held at the BGC Amphitheater in Taguig from September 19 to 20, the fair drew thousands of attendees and served as a dynamic platform where commerce and learning seamlessly intertwined.

Now in its third year, G Fair has evolved into a comprehensive program that goes beyond a traditional pop-up market. This year, the event was enhanced with a strong focus on empowering entrepreneurs for the future, providing valuable resources for digital transformation and sustainable growth through a dedicated SME Consultation Booth and a series of upskilling talks and learning sessions.

‘This year’s G Fair was built on the momentum of past years by creating an ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs with tools, knowledge and networks to thrive,’ said KD Dizon, head of Globe Business. ‘It’s a space to celebrate homegrown talent while equipping them to succeed in the digital economy.’ This two-pronged mission was evident across the fairgrounds, from the bustling retail space to the dedicated learning hub. Attendees enjoyed interactive activities and exclusive raffle prizes, all while directly supporting local talent.

Meanwhile, the G Fair Business Hub served as the central point for entrepreneurial empowerment. Business owners had the invaluable opportunity to consult with and learn from a diverse group of experts. This included partners from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Go Negosyo, as well as tech industry leaders GCash, Lazada, and TikTok. Discussions centered on how SMEs can scale through fintech, e-commerce, and social media, while merchant panels offered insights on balancing heritage with innovation and turning passions into sustainable livelihoods.

Following last year’s strong turnout, G Fair 2025 further cemented its role as a catalyst for Filipino SMEs to grow and connect with wider audiences. It stands as a testament to the power of supporting homegrown talent and ensuring they are equipped to succeed in the digital economy.

THE global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, Fortinet has been recognized as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Hybrid Mesh Firewall (HMF) and was positioned highest for Ability to Execute.

As a leader in the inaugural Gartner Magic Quadrant for Hybrid Mesh Firewall, Fortinet is now recognized in 12 Gartner Magic Quadrant reports. Powered by custom-built ASICs for accelerated performance, and FortiOS, a single operating system unifying hardware and virtual deployments, Fortinet solutions comprise a truly converged networking and security platform. Fortinet appliance, virtual, and cloud-native firewalls are built for today’s network complexity, securing environments that span data centers, clouds, remote edges, and constantly shifting workloads.

‘Being recognized as a leader in the inaugural Gartner Magic Quadrant for Hybrid Mesh Firewall and placed highest in Ability to Execute, validates our commitment to delivering convergence and best-of-breed security with FortiOS everywhere. With FortiAI innovations, integrated SOC, and early adoption of post-quantum cryptography, Fortinet continues to set the standard for protecting organizations across hybrid, dynamic environments,’ said Nirav Shah, senior vice president of products and solutions at Fortinet.

Customers can confidently partner with Fortinet, knowing they are investing in a vendor that combines long-standing leadership with forward-looking advancements in AI-driven automation and quantum-resistant security. Fortinet FortiGate firewalls deliver integrated security, AI-powered innovation, and flexible licensing to help organizations confidently secure hybrid environments.

Despite a slowdown in the Southeast Asia startup market, the Philippines managed to dish out good performance in the first half of 20205. According to the recently launched SEA Startup Funding Report H1 2025 by DealStreet in partnership with the Philippines’ largest corporate venture capital firm Kickstart Ventures, the Philippines’ startups collectively raised $86.4 million, for the first time edging past Indonesia, which is down to $78.5 million.

SEA equity investment fell 20.7 percent year-on-year to $1.85 billion across 229 transactions, the lowest level in both deal volume and value in six years.

Regionally, Andi Haswidi, Head of Data Research at DealStreetAsia, noted that the second quarter of 2025 saw capital deployed more than double compared with the first quarter ($1.28 billion versus $0.58 billion), suggesting that while deal volumes remain muted, investors are willing to back stronger stories with larger checks.

‘The numbers reflect a cautious environment shaped by macroeconomic headwinds and heightened scrutiny of governance standards. Against this backdrop, the Philippines is well-positioned to move from the sidelines to center stage by leveraging its bright spots and strengthening investor confidence,’ said Joan Yao, Kickstart Ventures General Partner.

Moreover, the Philippines shows a strong market base with more than 95 million digital consumers and a rapidly growing middle class. According to neobank Salmon, which managed to raise the country’s largest equity deal within the time period at $28 million, there has been a diversification of sectors usually dominated by health, food and beverage, and retail tech.

‘Late-stage deals remain scarce in the Philippines, as elsewhere in the region-an opportunity in Kickstart’s view. Investors are favoring early momentum and founder grit, making their role even more critical in backing strong teams early and helping them scale into regional players,’ Yao said.

Despite this more selective environment, the region welcomed new unicorns. Malaysia’s Ashita Group raised $155 million at a unicorn valuation, Singapore’s Thunes secured $150 million at a $1.42 billion valuation, and digital asset bank Sygnum crossed the $1 billion mark. Based on the report’s tracking, 58 Southeast Asian startups have now achieved unicorn status.

Sectoral trends reflected the selective deployment of capital with fintech maintaining its lead even as both volume and value fell to their weakest levels in more than six years. Health-tech recorded a strong rebound, while green-tech registered 20 transactions despite a decline in overall value. Despite a weak half-year overall, sustainability-linked sectors stood out, led by climate startups in renewable energy, waste management, and low-carbon mobility. Moreover, Yao noted that investors continue to back these areas for their measurable and resilient climate and health impact, even as valuations soften.

GLOBAL travel agencies are keen on focusing on events, the elderly, and emerging markets-the Three E’s-as a new wave of travel trends.

In a panel discussion on ‘Focus on the Future’ at the recent World Travel and Trade Council’s 25th Global Summit in Rome, Jane Sun, chief executive officer of Trip.com, said the events trend is driven mainly by young travelers, ‘we call them Events + Travel, [where] young people like to go to Taylor Swift shows, [concerts of] Blackpink, G-Dragon, and the Olympic Games. So we center around these major events and add a travel package that is very popular for young millennial kids.’

Trip.com, an international travel service provider in 39 countries and regions, is also selling ‘Elderly-friendly’ packages. Sun said: ‘In Asia, people get to retire very early, between 50 and 60.and these people have money. They are very young, very energetic and eager to travel.’

She said the travel package works out well for both their clients and travel partners. ‘Our hotel partners and destination partners will get very good cash flow from these affluent population, and our customer also will get good value because it’s less crowded,’ she explained.

Staffing shortages still an issue

Travel destinations in ‘Emerging Markets’ are also trending, Sun said. ‘People from Asia are very adventurous during the Chinese New Year; the most popular destinations are Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, so far away from home. In the summer, they want to go to Greenland, Iceland, and Norway, which are very long trips. And by promoting these emerging markets, we hope to address overtourism with local tour operators.’

For his part, Federico Gonzalez, CEO of the Radisson Hotel Group and Board Director of the Louvre Hotels Group, also pointed to the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, Africa) region as a trending destination, along with India, which has a 1.5 billion population. ‘The people are growing and moving in the social scale, willing to travel not only to the big towns and the big destinations. So we have, today, between Sarovar and Radisson, 400 hotels. But dare we say, 400 hotels in a continent of 1.5 billion people is not enough,’ he said.

One challenge to exploring these new travel trends, however, is the industry’s inadequate talent. ‘It’s true that in hospitality or in tourism, many times it was not considered a great career.. And I think as we grow into more countries, into more projects, creating the right talent, who wants to stay with us, who wants to grow their careers with us, I think that’s the number one [priority],’ added Gonzalez.

While there are no hard figures on the staffing backlog in the Philippine tourism industry, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed 69,000 less employment in the Accommodation and Food Service Activities in July 2025, year-on-year. There were 3.84 million workers in these activities in July 2025, who accounted for 13.3 percent of the 29 million laborers in the services sector.

AI in hospitality

The staffing shortage arose due to the pandemic as employees found other work in other industries like the business process outsourcing firms. This has been exacerbated with the move of staff to international cruise lines or hotels abroad, which provide higher wages.

Asked if artificial intelligence can coexist with the human aspect of the tourism business, Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Co., said, ‘We’re using the technology on air quality, on planting, on parks, to get people to come, but now, with everybody coming from all over the world, they’re being welcomed by young Saudis,’ who have been trained to speak in several languages.

Diriyah, the historical birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is currently being developed into a major tourism destination along with being protected as a cultural heritage, as part of Riyadh’s Vision 2030 program. ‘So we have a great harmony between cultural presentation, cultural preservation, identity, and technology,’ said Inzerillo of the giga-project.

The future of mobile photography is here. With the vivo V60 AI Imaging Studio, vivo brings pro-level editing tools like AI Image Expander, AI Magic Move, and AI Erase 3.0 straight into your hands – no apps, no hassle, just pure creativity.

AI Image Expander: Capture beyond the frame

With the AI Image Expander, a single frame no longer limits your vision. This feature intelligently extends the borders of your photo, adding realistic details and continuity that look as if they were captured by the camera itself.

For travelers who want to showcase an entire landscape, for professionals who need a wider perspective during events, or for content creators who want their shots to feel complete, AI Image Expander delivers a seamless solution.

No more cropped-out friends, missing corners, or incomplete backdrops. Every photo feels intentional, polished, and worthy of sharing.

AI Magic Move: Perfect your composition

Missed the perfect shot? The AI Magic Move makes it possible to refine your composition in seconds. Simply drag a subject to a better position, and the AI rebuilds the background with lifelike textures, shadows, and depth.

Whether adjusting a team photo, a product shoot, or content for social media, this tool transforms near-perfect images into flawless visuals without the need for professional editing software.

AI Erase 3.0: Keep focus on what matters

Distractions no longer ruin great photos. The AI Erase 3.0 offers three easy modes – Smart Circle, Manual, and Automatic – to remove unwanted elements with precision.

From random passersby in travel shots to cluttered backgrounds in café photos, AI Erase 3.0 ensures your subject remains the star. The result is cleaner, sharper, and more professional-looking images that highlight what truly matters.

By combining artistry, intelligence, and efficiency, it empowers today’s professionals and creators to produce content that is polished, expressive, and unforgettable.

The vivo V60 is now available starting at Php 28,999 in vivo e-store, Shopee, TikTok Shop, and authorized stores nationwide. With the vivo V60’s AI Imaging Studio, every shot becomes a masterpiece. Learn more about the V60 on vivo website.

THE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has already immobilized over P4 billion worth of assets linked to the alleged irregularities in flood control spending.

This was after AMLC secured its fourth freeze order from the Court of Appeals on Friday. The latest order covered 57 bank accounts, 10 real properties, and nine motor vehicles.

AMLC expects the latest valuation of frozen assets will increase as the flood control inquiry progresses.

‘These freezes are real actions that stop corruption,’ said AMLC Executive Director Atty. Matthew M. David. ‘Every peso frozen is a peso that cannot be used to sustain corruption.’

To date, the Court of Appeals has frozen a total of 1,620 bank accounts, 54 insurance policies, 163 motor vehicles, 40 real properties and 12 e-wallet accounts.

AMLC said the assets seized include high-value holdings such as a luxury compound in a prime urban district, multiple high-end vehicles, virtual currencies, and unit investment trust funds.

The Council said it remains committed to tracing financial links to public sector anomalies.

Last Tuesday, AMLC received a new freeze order from the CA bringing the total value of the frozen assets to P2.9 billion.

In a statement, the new freeze order covered a total of 836 bank accounts, 12 e-wallet accounts, 24 insurance policies, 81 motor vehicles and 12 real-estate properties.

With the latest freeze order, the AMLC through the CA has frozen a total of 1,563 bank account; 54 insurance policies; 154 motor vehicles; and 30 real estate properties. The latest freeze order is the first time the AMLC included electronic wallets.

Earlier, David said AMLC’s petition cited corruption-related offenses, such as violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation, according to David.

Under the freeze order, banks will now look into their systems and determine the amounts stored in the bank accounts, which will then be reported to the AMLC, David said.

Moreover, the freeze order is a step toward the filing of appropriate civil and criminal cases, including the retrieval of any funds moved before the freeze, against those found to have laundered illicit proceeds, David added.

The freeze order will only be lifted if the owners of the bank accounts will file a motion to lift the effects of the freeze order over their accounts or assets.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Brooke’s Point District Jail joined the nationwide observance of Filipino Elderly Week, highlighted by wellness and support activities for senior citizen Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).

With the theme ‘Embracing Age: Living a Life with Dignity and Purpose,’ the celebration featured the hanging of an official tarpaulin, a zumba dance session, a feeding program, and the distribution of vitamins to promote the health and well-being of elderly PDLs.

A total of 22 senior citizen PDLs benefitted from the initiative, which aimed to honor their contributions and emphasize the importance of treating them with dignity and compassion.

BJMP Mimaropa spokesperson Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo said the celebration highlights the bureau’s commitment to the care of senior citizens under its supervision.

‘This celebration affirms BJMP’s commitment to programs that safeguard the health, dignity, and well-being of PDLs, most especially our senior citizens,’ Anglo said.

Filipino Elderly Week is observed every first week of October under Proclamation 470, which recognizes the role of senior citizens in nation-building and promotes their overall well-being.

Gardening tools are evolving to incorporate technology-including artificial intelligence-to help us keep plants healthier, avoid unpleasant tasks and even grow crops indoors over winter. And we can use them without losing the stress-relieving, analog benefits that nature provides.

Here are just a few examples:

Mowing

IF you don’t enjoy mowing the lawn, you can buy a robot that will do it for you. Many self-guided mowers, like the Segway Navimow, Husqvarna Automower, the Sunseeker X7 and others, will handle the task on a schedule, run quietly, then return to a charging station without human intervention (beyond setup). And many can be controlled with a mobile app.

Some autonomous lawn mowers use AI technology to adapt to your grass’ growth. Sensors reroute them around pets, children, patio tables and garden decor.

Monitoring and caring for plants

Unsure about whether your plants need watering or are getting sufficient sunlight? There are apps for that. If you’re a busy type who could use watering, fertilizing, pruning and repotting reminders, apps like Planta or Plant Parent can help keep you on track. Provide info on an individual plant or create an inventory of all your green friends, and it will tailor a schedule for each, then notify you when it’s time to provide those maintenance tasks.

Physical monitoring devices can take things a step further. A gadget like FloraPod, for example, when plunged into soil-indoors or out-will send your phone real-time details about moisture levels, humidity, temperature and light exposure, plus care recommendations for thousands of plant species.

Hydroponics and beyond

So-called smart gardens are self-watering, self-fertilizing and self-lighting units that enable users to grow herbs and vegetables indoors year-round.

They’re available in a variety of sizes to accommodate a single plant or even dozens. Some, like Gardyn and AeroGarden, rely on soil-less hydroponic systems; others, like the Click and Grow system, use pods filled with traditional growing media.

THERE is no doubt that the internet played a big part in drag becoming mainstream in the Philippines. It is now a cultural phenomenon and source of entertainment, aside from being a political statement about gay rights and human rights in general.

Drag artists don’t just perform in gay bars and clubs. They are everywhere, from the Araneta Coliseum to beauty and fashion events. Their faces can be seen in the campaigns of global brands.

Filipino drag artists are now known across the region and around the world as great performers and queens.

Precious Paula Nicole, who won Drag Race Philippines Season 1, recently took on the role of Sampaguita in the short film Lip Sync Assassin and bagged the Best Lead Performance award in the 2025 CinePride Film Festival in Los Angeles, California.

Jon Galvez, the film’s director, also got the Best Director award in the festival, which was a celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories, highlighting queer artists and filmmakers on a global stage. This year’s films featured international drag legends BenDelaCreme, Monét X Change, and Jinkx Monsoon.

In Lip Sync Assassin, Precious Paula Nicole plays Sampaguita, a drag queen who moonlights as a hired assassin to provide for her daughter, her sick mother, and her drag children.

Galvez, even when he was writing the script, always thought that Nicole would be perfect for the movie.

‘Complex nga ‘yung character ni Sampaguita

pero kailangan puno siya ng puso kasi willing siyang

ibigay ang lahat lahat para sa pamilya. And meron din

akong nakitang parang magic kay Precious even when I was following her career in Drag Race na ‘yun eh all heart lagi ang binibigay niya [I followed Precious’

areer since Drag Race and I saw this magic in her. I knew she had heart and that’s what is needed to play this role].’

In a mediacon and special screening for Lip Sync Assassin, Precious revealed that she manifested the opportunity and got the call from Galvez two weeks later.

‘Kasi siyempre hiniling ko siya eh, so bakit ko siya tatanggihan? Tsaka may nakapagsabi kasi sa akin na friend ko na kapag may in-offer sa iyo, huwag kang magno-no. Dapat laging yes, kasi hindi naman daw ibibigay sa iyo kung di mo kaya. Kung iyan, pag nandiyan ka na, kapag di mo kaya, di bahala ka na [I manifested it so I said yes. A friend once told me to never say to job offers. Also, I think it wouldn’t have been offered to me if I could not do it].’

For Precious, acting is not just a new channel for her to show her talent and artistry but a path toward a different journey.

‘To be honest po, nung nailabas na itong Slaysian Royal ng mga kapatid ko, ng mga Divine Divas [Viñas Deluxe and Brigiding] parang naka-feel ako na parang baka mamaya left out ako, alam mo yun?

‘Parang, baka makalimutan na po ng mga tao kasi may panibago ng show na inaabangan. So noong nag-episode one na, napi-feel ko talaga siya na parang, ‘Ay, hindi na ako yung priority ng mga fans kasi siyempre wala naman ako dun sa show.’ Pero siyempre, hindi ko naman siya tini-take as negative.

‘Kumbaga, parang sabi ko nga na tapos na siguro yung time ko to show my talent sa drag kasi parang, ayun na, naipanalo ko na siya [I honestly felt a bit left out because of Slaysian Royale but I didn’t take it negatively. Instead, I saw it as a sign for me to explore other opportunities].’

With drag queens now landing major endorsement deals and starring in mainstream television commercials, films and TV shows, what’s next?

In a previous interview with GMA Network, drag queen Brigiding attributes the rise of drag in the Philippines to the pandemic.

‘It was when all of us lost our jobs, so we started performing through livestreams. The move to online allowed drag to become more accessible to Filipinos, unlike before, when drag was only seen in nightclubs.’

So, yes, drag has come so far in the Philippines but there is still a long road ahead for our beloved drag performers.