Rampa club in QC opens stage for free to all drag performers every Sunday

RS Francisco (seated, in black) with some of the Rampa drag performers

Rampa Drag Club co-owner RS Francisco has announced they are open Sundays to anyone in drag who wants to perform onstage .

"It's called 'Ilusyon,' an open drag festival," he said. "Kahit sino gustong magperform sa Rampa, pwede that night. Magdala lang sila ng USB nila, they can take to the stage ."

Rampa Drag Club has several theme nights. There's one for twinks, another for couples, then every Friday is Watermelon night, etc.

He said they thought of the "Ilusyon" concept since they noticed some people come in drag to the club "at gusto nila sumampa."

"So, bibigyan namin sila ng platform. To express their artistry, to enjoy themselves ng hindi ni-judge," RS said. "Rampa is a safe space for everyone...yung buong alphabet. Kahit anong body shape, kahit anong kulay, kahit anong expression, we make everyone feel welcome at Rampa."

His dream is to see Quezon City turn into what Malate was like a few years ago---a "home" for the LGBT people. This is the reason that instead of seeing the recent opening of a comedy club owned by a famous celebrity as competition, he actually welcomes it.

"In fact, everyone of us will be there on opening night of that comedy club as show of support," he said at the time of interview.

He beamed at the drag performers of Rampa beside him as they talked about how working at the club has changed their lives for the better; not only financially, but also in having pride in their work and in themselves.

The performers include Zymba Ding, who was recently featured in a recent New York Times article no less; the Divine Divas composed of Precious Paula Nicole, Brigiding and Vinas Deluxe; and Kieffy Nicole, a straight woman.

“Drag is an art form and a means of self-expression,” Keiffy was quoted to have said in that NYT article by Camille Elemia. "Drag is genderless.”

In a previous interview RS reiterated Rampa is open to everyone and that includes people not from LGBT.

"Wala kami pakialam kung ganito ka o ganyan ka. Whatever it is you perceive yourself to to be, whoever you are, lahat pwede rumampa, lahat pwede magpaka-superstar sa Rampa."

Rampa Drag Club is on Don Eugenio Lopez Drive corner Sgt. Esguerra, Quezon City.