EJ Gonzales drags us into the world of Philippine drag
EJ Gonzales enters our virtual meeting with a zest so contagious, I almost mistook our morning call for one of his evening drag shows and parties.
Drag Race Philippines and Drag Den have pushed drag to the forefront of the local entertainment scene, and if you’ve tuned into the colorful world of Philippine drag yourself, it would be impossible not to know EJ, best known as Buknoy onstage. He has hosted sold-out drag brunches and drag shows across the country and has advocated for the proper appreciation and recognition of the entertainment form.
As an engagement and experience manager at TaskUs by day and a freelance events host by night, EJ is a bright spectacle amongst stars. He possesses a rare superpower that brightens up any space and conversation he is in, whether a Zoom call or a room filled with people. Charm practically spills out of the so-called “hype queen to the queens.”
But drag isn’t all glamour, and as evident with EJ, it also empowers and encapsulates identity and self-expression. In the seventh episode of Drag Den, which explored drag as a form of protest and political statement, Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan defined drag: “May lalim ‘yung drag, at ‘yun ‘yung lagi nating panghahawakan. That drag isn’t just a spectacle. It allows us to see different perspectives so that we can learn to appreciate not just entertainment, but also humanity.”
In an interview with Young STAR, EJ reveals who he is behind the curtains, how he stays passionate both on and off stage, and what it means to be the human behind the entertainment.
YOUNG STAR: How do you balance your passion and your day job?
EJ GONZALES: Alam mo, honestly, ako rin nagugulat. Hindi ko na-fe-feel at all ‘yung pagod, o na ang haba na pala ng oras na nakalipas, kasi super nag-e-enjoy talaga ako. For as long as you know your purpose, and you know and love what you are doing, hindi mo mararamdaman ‘yung pagod. Gusto ko kasi ‘yung ginagawa ko, kaya kahit gaano katagal o kahaba, at the end of the day, I’m happy with what I’m doing.
What is drag like from the inside?
Sobrang makulay, like living the fantasy. Lahat tayo ay may fantasies, and ‘yung mga drag queens, ginagawa nilang reality ang fantasy nila. Nanonood lang naman ako dati, but now, I get to see them prepare. Sobrang privileged ko to see them mag-makeup, mag-aral ng mga piyesa. Sobrang, sobrang, sobrang blessed ko din to be surrounded by them, na alam mong may mga puso and passion sa pag-perform, and they know what their goals are.
Don’t get pressured. Lalo na ngayon, na-pe-pressure tayo sa timelines (ng ibang tao) at kung anumang nangyayari sa paligid natin. Darating at darating ‘yan. Pwede mong hanapin, pero kung pipilitin mo ‘yung sarili mong hanapin kung ano ba ‘yung passion mo, baka hindi maganda ‘yung magiging effect and mamadali ‘yung process.
What was Drag Race Philippines’ impact on the local drag scene?
Sinabi rin ito ng isang drag queen: Before Drag Race, parang palamuti lang sila sa mga bar. Kasi the goal of the people coming there is to socialize and interact. Ngayon, pinupuntahan na ‘yung mga drag queens. Ngayon sinusundan na sila everywhere they go. Iba na ‘yung experience ngayon kasi mas proud na ang lahat. Lahat ay confident na, lahat ay nabigyan ng voice, lahat ay nabigyan ng platform, kaya parang mas nag-flourish, mas nanggigil, mas mararamdaman mo ‘yung energy ng lahat na, “Oh my gosh, ito na ‘yung moment na hinihintay natin.” Sobrang na-elevate ‘yung experience. ‘Yun naman kasi talaga ‘yung deserve nila, to get the recognition and acknowledgment. Sobrang talented nila, jusko dai! For sure, marami pang magiging changes at marami pang magandang mangyayari dahil ang ganda ng drag scene ngayon.
What would you advise the younger generation, chasing their own passions?
Don’t get pressured. Lalo na ngayon, na-pe-pressure tayo sa timelines (ng ibang tao) at kung anumang nangyayari sa paligid natin. Darating at darating ‘yan. Pwede mong hanapin, pero kung pipilitin mo ‘yung sarili mong hanapin kung ano ba ‘yung passion mo, baka hindi maganda ‘yung magiging effect and mamadali ‘yung process.
But ultimately, if you don’t have the proper support system, mas mahihirapan ka. I’m super blessed to have my family, friends, and TaskUs. Ibang iba ‘yung nagagawa ng magandang support system para mahanap and maipagpatuloy mo ‘yung mo passion mo.