How M1ss Jade So's mom Margie Alino empowers her drag queen daughter
Behind every successful woman is a tribe of successful women, supporting, inspiring, and empowering each other.
Case in point: Drag Race Philippines season 2 finalist M1ss Jade So has the support of her loving mother, Margie Alino, behind her in different aspects of her life, including her passion for drag, performing, and fashion.
In a post-Mother's Day celebration and International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia event called "Mothers are Mothering" by TELUS Philippines, a business process solutions provider who showcases workplace allyship to promote work inclusion and diversity by creating Spectrum, the TELUS International’s resource group for LGBTQIA+ and other team members and their allies to encourage bringing your "true self to work every day," Margie told members of the media how she embraced Jade's gender identity when the latter was younger.
"Kahit nga nung bata siya gusto niya ng mga toys [na] pambabae, yung magpapabili siya, okay lang sa'kin, binibilhan ko siya, kahit nung highschool siya, gusto niya mag-damit ng gown sa JS Prom, okay lang din sa'kin," Margie narrated.
She continued, "Nung Senior High School niya, naghanap kami ng school na tatanggap sa kanya na magpahaba ng hair, magpahaba ng nails at kung ano man siya, sinamahan ko siya, sinuportahan ko siya."
Moreover, Margie told Philstar L!fe that having a daughter like Jade changes her perspective as a mom.
"Sobrang saya at proud ko. Ang happy ko lang na nakikita yung anak ko at sana pag-igihan pa niya at pagbutihan para maging inspirasyon siya ng mga gusting gumawa sa kanya," she told L!fe.
"Proud ako sa aking anak, 'di naman talaga naging masama maging LGBT, dapat ay talagang i-support nalang natin sila," she added.
Margie also urged parents with children who are part of the LGBTQ+ community to show them love and support.
"Accept niyo ang inyong anak na LGBT dahil 'di naman sila masama, unawain natin sila, marami 'yan silang talento, matatalino at i-hug or i-kiss natin sila at i-support."
M1ss Jade So on her drag
Meanwhile, Jade might not have won Drag Race Philippines season 2, but she won the hearts of many with her impeccable style and, as she would put it, "esoteric" personality.
Talking to L!fe, the fashion design student, known as the "power top na Bratzy," said that her drag was inspired by fashion icons and artists including Lady Gaga, Tyla, and Alexander Mcqueen.
Likewise, her performances are also inspired by her life experiences.
"I get to conceptualize my performances based on what I experienced. Kunwari 'yung JS Prom story, ginawa ko siyang look during the Drag Race runway."
Moreover, Jade noted that doing drag changes her perspective in terms of how she sees the world and the LGBTQ community, among others.
"[Drag] made my perception in life brighter kasi doing drag everytime ginagaw ko siya nagkakakulay yung buhay ko, yung looks ko... [T]hen 'di lang siya kapag nagdadamit [ako] ng drag, nagiging every day na [ako] masaya," she told L!fe.
For Jade, the art of drag is also for everyone, too. "Ang drag naman ay walang gender," she said.
"Nakadepende ito sa kung paano mo siyang gagawin into an art form, into making a new persona na ikaw 'yung gumawa."
M1ss Jade So finished the sophomore season of Drag Race Philippines as one of the top 4 contenders. She won one maxi challenge, and was eliminated in episode 10.
