The D’ Divalettes of 'Delia D. Musical' are here to slay

In the world of Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo, the show’s most fabulous showstoppers are the D’ Divalettes from Drag and Tell Bar. The dazzling, diverse sisterhood of drag queens brings heart and drama to the stage.

Each member of this ensemble is a star in their own right, radiating talent and a fierce passion for performance. Offstage, their lives mirror the resilience, complexity, and fabulousness they bring to their roles.

Denzel Sarra as Sasha Granada

Vince Denzel Sarra, known in the drag scene as Bomba Ding, is strutting into new territory with his theater debut as Sasha Granada in Delia D. Musical. 

“I auditioned for the musical because I want to fulfill my musical theater actor dream,” he shared. 

A proud member of the House of Ding and drag daughter to Drag Race Philippines queen Brigiding, Sarra brings with him club clout and serious dance credentials. He has trained in jazz, folk, and voguing through the UP Filipiniana Dance Group and Manila’s ballroom scene.

As a resident performer at a drag club in Quezon City, Sarra has been accustomed to lighting up the stage with lip-syncs—but for Delia D. Musical, the mic is on, and the vocals are live. 

“I got to sing live, together with the whole ensemble,” he expressed, calling this milestone another layer to his growth as an artist. Still, there is a balancing act between his drag persona and musical role. 

”It’s a challenge for me to separate Bomba Ding and Sasha Granada. I do my best to not combine and integrate both of these characters.” Armed with fierce choreography and signature jump-split, Sarra is ready to bring the house down—heels first.

 Chesko Rodriguez as Wanda Woman

Chesko Rodriguez, a multifaceted actor known for his work in theater, TV, and film, brings the vivacious Wanda Woman to life. 

Returning to the stage of Newport Performing Arts Theater after a memorable turn in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2018, he is excited to dive into a production that puts drag queens front and center. 

“We don’t really have a Filipino musical that has a drag queen as the lead. There’s something about this show, about Filipino drag culture, that is really exciting,” Rodriguez explained. 

Despite not being a professional drag queen, he embraces the challenge, working tirelessly to embody the role with authenticity. "Once you have everything on—the wig, the makeup, the costume—there’s a certain feeling of power," he added. This power allows him to fully immerse himself in the fierce, fabulous persona of Wanda.

Almond Bolante as Minelomi Sings

Almond Bolante is stepping into the spotlight in Minelomi Sings, a role that feels like the ultimate dream come true for this pop counter-tenor of the a cappella group Acapellago. 

With a resume that includes Pingkian and Zsazsa Zaturnnah, Bolante has always aimed for the big stage, saying, "I started my professional theater journey later than most, so performing on a big stage like NPAT has always been a dream of mine." After auditioning repeatedly since 2018, he is thrilled to have finally landed the role.

The show’s choreography has been a major challenge, but he is embracing it with determination. "This is actually my first musical with a lot of choreographed numbers, and it has been a challenge for me since the audition. But I believe wala namang madali sa umpisa, challenge accepted!" Bolante expressed. 

Beyond the glitter and glamour, what excites him most is the opportunity to give voice to the stories of drag queens, who have lived experiences just as powerful as his performances.

Franco Ramos as Cardi O.

For Franco Ramos, taking on the role of Cardi O. felt like trying on a pair of heels he was always meant to wear. 

A longtime fixture in the theater scene, Ramos has taken on a range of roles from musicals to screen work, but this one hits especially close to home. 

“Being part of the theater community, the gay community, and being a long-time fan of drag as well, the musical seemed right up my alley,” he shared. 

Drag is far from easy, and Ramos knows it well. “I’ve never felt so constricted in my movement in my life,” he confessed, pointing out the tight corsets and heels that add an extra layer of difficulty to his performance. 

Still, transforming into Cardi O. gave him a liberating feeling, adding, “I can finally add a little extra sauce to my role and unleash the diva in me. I’ve dabbled in drag myself and have birthed a character of my own, but I’ve never performed as a drag queen, so this show fulfills that for me in a way.” 

Sebastian Katigbak as Sue Tsunami

Sebastian Katigbak is ready to make a splash as Sue Tsunami, flooding the stage with talent and realness. 

“I've always wanted to experience working at Newport World Resorts Theater, as well as being part of a musical that involves my community, where I can share my expertise in ballroom and club culture,” said Katigbak.

With a background in formal performing arts from MINT College and a deep connection to Manila’s ballroom and club scene as Lakan Mizrahi of the Iconic House of Mizrahi, venturing into musical theater feels like a natural next step.

However, playing the role is not always glitzy and glamorous. "The biggest challenge is definitely going in and out of drag. Also, I’m not a makeup kind of girl so another challenge for me is definitely learning to beat my face in drag," he shared.

Despite this, Katigbak is drawn to the magic of drag. "My favorite part is giving that female figure effect and living the feminine fantasy."

Aira Jay Igarta as Aurrah Verde

With credentials that include a theatre arts degree from UP Diliman and training under dance luminary Tony Fabella, Aira Jay Igarta brings the drama, the dance, and the diva through his role as Aurrah Verde. 

"I knew this would be one of the most exciting and vibrant productions of 2025," he shared. "The energy, the creativity, and the sheer joy of this musical felt like the perfect space for me. My gayest energy couldn’t resist being part of the gayest production of the year!"

While the drag transformation is serious work, the real challenge lies in the sisterhood. "Beyond the physical demands, the biggest challenge is ensuring that we, as six sisters, truly connect on stage. We have to set aside everything else and uplift one another because, at the heart of it all, we stand by our mantra: Drag queens don’t drag each other down."

Enjoy the slayful musical with even more slayful deals

Those planning to watch Delia D. Musical can enjoy exclusive offers from the Epic Rewards Online Shop. The musical’s Watch & Dine bundle treats theatergoers to a musical and dining experience with four (4) tickets to the show and a P3,000 dining voucher redeemable in participating signature restaurants of Newport World Resorts, starting at P8,599. 

Those in the mood for a sumptuous buffet can avail of the Watch & Dine at Hilton Manila’s Kusina Buffet, which includes two (2) Kusina Buffet vouchers and two (2) Delia D. Musical tickets for P7,999. Special group ticket bundles are also available, with packages for groups of four, six, or eight, starting at P5,760. 

All offers can be purchased at the Epic Rewards Online Shop via www.epicrewards.com.ph/merchandise/entertainment.html. Epic Rewards members may use Epic Points or pay conveniently via GCash, debit, or credit card.

Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo opens on April 25 and runs until June 8 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are now available at SM Tickets, TicketWorld, HelixPay, and Newport World Resorts Box Office, with prices ranging from P3,500 (SVIP), P3,000 (VIP), P2,500 (GOLD), P1,800 (SILVER), and P1,000 (BRONZE). 

For inquiries, contact Customer Care at 7908-8888 or 0917-872-8237 or email [email protected]. For bulk purchases and show buyers, reach out to the Newport World Resorts National Sales Team via James Rodriguez at 0917 829 2173 or Jan Paulo San Jose at 0917 810 5031.

For more information on Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts and @nwr.musicals on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. 

Join Newport World Resorts Viber Community for exclusive updates. Every visit is made more rewarding with an Epic Rewards membership, download the Epic Rewards Mobile App for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Newport World Resorts.