Maxie Andreison reflects on 'Drag Race Philippines' season 3 win: 'Mahirap ang buhay pero masarap sya'
Newly crowned Pinay Drag Superstar Maxie Andreison penned a lengthy, heartfelt message following her win in the third season of Drag Race Philippines.
On Instagram, the Manila-based drag queen shared a glimpse of her journey to the crown, including how she struggled to pursue her dreams for her family.
"Ang aga kong namulat sa realidad, bata pa ko nasusubukan na ko ng tadhana. Hirap ng buhay ang nag-udyok sa’kin para laging lumaban. Ambisyosa ako e. Gusto ko maginhawa ang pamilya ko. Kaya nung unang panalo ko sa amateur singing contest, tinuloy tuloy ko na. Sabi ko - ito.. dito.. ipagpapatuloy ko ‘to. Baka ito ang makatulong samin," Maxie began.
She also narrated how she hopes to give her family a better life. "Sila ang mga unang tao na naniwala sa talento ko," she said, adding that she sometimes felt hopeless, but prayer always renewed her spirits.
Maxie revealed that the drag community played a pivotal role in discovering and developing her talents.
"Ang komunidad na ito ay hindi madamot, masaya sya at matalino. Madami akong nakilala at nakasalamuha, at nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong naniwala at nakitaan ako ng potensyal," Maxie said.
She added, "Kaya salamat, Ama! Hinayaan mo akong makapasok sa lugar na mas lalo kong ma-appreciate ang sarili ko. Salamat sa ipinagkaloob mo ngayon na pinaka-magandang birthday gift."
'Mangarap ka nang malaki'
The Asia's "Drag Singing Superstar" urged her followers and fans to dream big as everything is not yet too late.
"Mangarap ka ng malaki, kaibigan, hindi pa huli. Hangga’t may hininga, may pag-asa. Naniniwala ako sa’yo, kaya sana ikaw din," she said while emphasizing that her win is for her family, friends and the LGBTQIA+ community.
"Inaalay ko tong pagkapanalo ko sa aking pamilya, mga kaibigan at komunidad. Sana sa kwento ko, may matutunan ka. Tandaan mo na mahirap ang buhay pero masarap sya."
"Kaya fight lang ng fight ha, malay mo ikaw na pala ang next na magtagumpay. Ako si Maxie - at ako ang inyong bagong Drag Race Philippines Superstar," she concluded.
As the winner of Drag Race Philippines season 3, Maxie took home a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics and a cash prize of P1,000,000.
Throughout the season, she earned three Rubadges—the most in the Philippine franchise so far.
Before this, Maxie was among the ten contestants of Queen of the Universe season 2, the world's "first all-drag, all-singing" competition. However, she withdrew from the competition due to a medical emergency.