Pura Luka Vega sparks new controversy for 'serving communion' at progressive church
Drag artist Pura Luka Vega is once again caught in controversy after the performer was shown in photos serving communion at the Open Table Metropolitan Community Church in San Juan City on Sunday.
On June 14, the church posted a series of photos on its Facebook page showing members of the LGBTQIA+ community attending mass with Vega, whose given name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente.
"Today is a very special day because we are joined by @puralukavega to celebrate and to serve communion with us," the church wrote.
"This is reclaiming our queer people and as a marginalized community, because the Eucharist is a sacrament that is an Open Table for all. Happy Pride mga Mahal!" it added.
Vega is seen standing at an altar beside what appears to be a priest or pastor with a wooden cross behind them. Dressed in a gold strapless dress and wearing a long wig, Vega, at one point, spoke at a podium with some projected graphics on the wall behind the performer saying, "Let us create spaces that believe there is still room for interpretation."
On its Facebook page, the Open Table Metropolitan Community Church describes itself as "a progressive church that celebrates and affirms LGBTQIA+ people."
While it limited comments on its post about Vega, Internet users—both supporters and opposers—have been outspoken elsewhere on social media.
Content creator Gabe Pineda reacted to the backlash against Vega, writing, "See how quick Christians react on Pura Luka Vega being 'sacrilegious' pero todo defend sila sa Christians na nagpe-preach during Pride events? Respect goes both ways."
"I’m not here to say na tama or mali 'yung ginawa ni Pura Luka Vega. What I’m saying is I hope you apply the same energy with invasive Christians," Pineda added in another post.
A follower of the Open Table church also wrote, "We get to see hypocrisy in real time (the Christians with the angry reactions) when if they were anywhere 'Christ-like,' there would be acceptance instead, and seeing past their own learned prejudices."
Others found Vega's actions sacrilegious.
One Facebook user wrote, "To Pura Luka Vega: You are still a person worthy of dignity and respect. Pero sana maintindihan din na for Catholics, ang Eucharist at liturgy ay sagrado at hindi dapat gawing platform ng anumang ideology or performance."
A social media user who described himself as a Catholic and member of the LGBTQIA+ community wrote, "Some may argue that no offense was intended or that this falls under religious freedom because it occurred within your own church community. But religious freedom does not exempt anyone from the responsibility to exercise prudence, respect, and sensitivity toward the beliefs of others. Freedom without responsibility becomes recklessness."
'Ama Namin' drag controversy
In 2023, Vega landed in hot water with the Catholic Church and its supporters when the drag performer was caught on video jamming to a remix of the Catholic prayer Ama Namin while dressed up as Jesus Christ.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines called the action "completely disrespectful" and warned that if elements of religion were "not used properly, such actions border on mockery and profanity."
As church leaders filed a complaint against Vega, numerous cities and provinces declared the performer persona non grata.
On Oct. 5, 2023, Vega was arrested on the charge of violating Article 201 (immoral doctrine, obscene publications, and exhibition and indecent shows) of the Revised Penal Code.
Facing the charges, Vega, who prefers they/them pronouns, reiterated that "drag is not a crime."
Some of the cases were eventually dismissed for lack of evidence; Vega was acquitted of the others.
In 2024, they were arrested again for the Ama Namin performance after three churches affiliated with the Philippines For Jesus Movement filed a complaint for three counts of violation of Article 201 with a recommended bail of P360,000.
In June 2025, a Manila court acquitted Vega, saying the prosecution did not prove Vega's performance violated any laws, public order, morals, or good customs.
