Drag Mo Paandar Ko Ep 3, featuring Life Coach Sheena Vera Cruz

Hello guys, welcome to Dragmo Pandarko. This is—

this is a drag makeover show. I almost forgot.

It's okay, we all forget.

No, because Oh, we introduce ourselves. My name is Virginia, please Virgin for short, but not for long.

My name is Pura Luka Vega. I am your most wanted diva. Nampulis.

But just for context, in reality we haven't filmed for months. Yes, yes, because I live in San Francisco.

Yeah, she lives in this city, San Francisco.

But now we're back, so—

and now we're about to roll.

Yeah, exactly. And we are on our third episode.

Yes, right. And we are making dreams come true. Oh, that's right, dreams come true. We're actually doing this to make people feel the fantasy of drag.

Fantasy, it's all about the fantasy, girl.

Yes, yes.

As queer people, we create our own world.

Exactly.

And we call it fantasy, and this is how it looks like.

So, sinubang ating mapalad na big puma.

Our third episode guest is a dear friend of mine. We go way back. I've known her as my little sister. I took her upon my wings, and we would do makeovers before And for context, she was part of the, um, the dance group, the world champion, the Philippine All-Stars. Oh, tara! So she used to be a performer, a dancer, but now she's transitioned.

She's now a mommy, right?

Yes. Yeah, but not only that, she is now a life coach.

Oh, a dancer transformed into a life coach.

Exactly.

And a mother as well.

Yes, I'm so excited to talk to her. Love that. Yes. Oh yeah, she will be with us in a few minutes.

Yes.

All right, stay tuned. All right, we're back. Hey, we're back. Our guest is finally here.

She's finally here. She got stuck— stuck—

stuck in—

she got stuck in traffic, you know. She got stuck in traffic.

Accent is, is, is, um, favored in the US and in—

really? So they think Filipino accent is sexy? This thing is sexy, girl. Oh, I love it.

And speaking of accent, our next guest, Sheena, she actually grew up in Guam.

Oh wow.

That's why she's spoken English. Exactly.

But you know, we're up for a challenge. We can always get the English thesaurus. So we'll welcome her now.

Yeah. Sheena, pass on.

Please get in.

I want to hug you first.

Oh, here she is.

Hello. Hello. I am terribly sorry that I'm stuck in traffic. I can challenge myself.

Yes, love that.

No, no, just kidding. So she's very excited that you're here. Yeah, you know, we go way back.

Yeah, they go like, like what, 20 years?

25 years?

25.

You're not supposed to say that.

Oh, she's a secret ninja.

No, but, Ching, we really decided to invite you because you have vast experience in terms of performance.

Yes.

And you know, drag is about performance. I think you can relate, and that's why I'm very happy that you're willing to be here. To be here and transform.

Just queer folks interviewing a very beautiful lady.

Yes.

Yeah, I'm excited. No, thank you, thank you so much. I'm really honored when you asked me about it because I was like thinking, oh my God, I'm in such a different place in my life now since you have met me 25 years ago. 25 years ago. And I was like, oh my God, that's just That's how old I am.

I'm 19 years old.

But, Sheenz, can you tell us a little bit about your experience as a performer? How did you start and where did it brought you?

Yeah, okay. So my story started— there's so many, I don't even know where to start. Actually, when we first met, I was not even any way trained as a performer. I was that girl who just moved to the Philippines. I was trying to find myself.

I was trying to make it big here.

Yeah, trying to make it big or just, I don't even know, just trying to figure myself out.

Okay.

And like you mentioned, I came from Guam. So, you know, I felt like as a third culture kid, I was like not American enough but also not Filipino enough. And then I come here, I'm just I was super young anyway. So then at that time, within that time, the person that I was with was someone that you were performing with.

A boy band? I was singing for a band.

Boy band? Yes.

Maybe a boy band.

We met when you were in a boy band. Okay, so you were in a boy band. So that was a transformation.

Yes. Thank you.

But I remember at that time meeting you, meeting all the people that I met. That's what kind of opened the doors for me to not perform yet, get in the club, start dancing. And people were like, oh, there's something about that girl. Eventually, that kind of just opened up doors for me to meet people that have believed in me, that there was something about me. That created something out of me, right? One of those people is Jack as well. So you were my mother, basically. Yes, I always tell you this because—

I'm the mother.

And you were one of the only ones at that time believed in me, and I think we were also consoling each other. So I think that's where I started seeing, okay, what are some of maybe that I had in me that other people believed in. I started getting into performances. Jet— Virginia?

Virginia, I was like—

It was now Virginia. Let me correct that.

I was like, no, Jet Tro. Jet Tro.

No, 25 years ago. I'm not human now. Mother is a Virgin. She was my, I would say, like, manager, right? Because I was in a singing group at that time that, you know, produced.

So not only I was in a boy band, I also managed a girl group, a girl band.

We have very few girl groups in the Philippines now. They're very popular now, but back in the day, there weren't a lot.

There weren't a lot.

It was hard.

And your goal was to make us like the first Pussycat Dolls.

There were no pussycat dolls then.

Yeah, but we were killing it.

Yeah, we were just dressing like—

wow, we were these girls who were just like, "Sam, put some—" Maybe later, a little bit later.

You have footages of this, right? Yes. Yes. Is that okay?

We'll show them. As it were, I think you did everything from the video, choreography. Choreography. We also had a choreographer. Makeup. Makeup. So that's where I learned. So in that chapter, I start as a performer that opened the doors for me to see how I perform on stage, the singing, dancing. There's a secret, guys. I'm in a singing group, but I don't know. Definitely, Demitri was like, okay, you could be the left eye, the TLC of left eye of this group. So you're going to be rapping. And I didn't even know how to count the beat or anything, but you made it work.

You made it work.

So that's where the performance acting came up. And that's when I started, like— well, at that time, I still didn't really understand what I was doing. But I think from that journey, having that as an experience and then going into a, I would say, a competitive dance group. Called the Philippine All-Stars. We started competing all over the world and we won, you know, gold titles internationally. That also opened— yes, that also gave me the experience and that also opened doors for me to work with international artists. And that what happened there was I ended up having the confidence to work with other women who were like me, who wanted to just be on stage and perform, perform the heck out of it.

Yeah.

And you've done this for how long? So I was doing that for almost like 13 years. I was taking— professionally? Like as a dancer professionally and then as a movement coach. Okay. And then the other transition of my life happened. Another chapter came into my life where I was traveling so much as a performer, as a teacher, as a dance coach, and competing. I felt like I had no foundation in my life. Nápáram. I'm just traveling everywhere. I was meeting all these different people. It was fun. It was glamorous. But then I was meeting the wrong people. I was like making money but not making money. I get it. I was just living so glamorously. Living like a true artist. I go home, naparam, come on, you know.

Whoa, okay, okay.

I was, I kind of went on a spiral because I didn't feel like I have a foundation because I was always traveling.

Rose, you were always on the move, you forgot to find who you were at that time.

I think so, I think so, I think At that time, I thought I knew who I was, but then, you know, I think, you know, as time changes, you change as well. Priorities change, people change, everything just changed. And then sometimes you go into this in-between, napan. It's like you want to embrace that past, but you also want to let go, but you still don't know who you got. The next you. So you get kind of like an in-between. So that's where like my life kind of just like wiped out. I was like, I was just manifesting the wrong things in my life. Men, wrong men, um, relationships.

Men talaga no, men are garbage. Men are garbage. Yeah, I agree.

Oh my God, that really taught me a lot of lessons.

Those men. Men.

Can't live with him, can't live without him.

I don't know, I don't know, I've forgotten about them already. Where were you when she was spiraling? I was also spiraling.

I love you but I can't hold on to you right now.

I see.

Oh yeah, there was a time when we I don't think we lost contact. No, we kept in touch. Okay. And we updated each other every once in a while.

That's what good— that's what real friends do to each other. You keep each other updated because some people do change and some people would not reconnect. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Have you lost friends along the way?

Yeah. A lot. We all do.

We all do. That's true. Yes, that's true.

That's true. Yeah. Yeah, but, but, um, I am really happy that you're also considering, um, having a transformation again today.

Yeah. Oh my God, life is all about transformation. Yeah.

And at the same time, I'm also curious to how you would take this transformation. And you've also mentioned that you're a life coach. Yeah. How did you transform from being a performer And then you said there was a time when you spiraled out.

Oh, yes. Okay. Because let's not leave my life just ended here.

Yeah. Oh, no. Right. Oh, that's the thing that I'm trying to spoil. So how did you become a life coach?

So, Yoon-ya, after the spiral, that's when I was like, we got to get our shit together. So the universe gave me a person who also was kind of like a fairy godmother and saw something in me initially. He wanted me to coach his daughter because his daughter was a singer. And so in exchange, because he was a life coach, he's like, I will give you some life coaching sessions. I was like, I don't know what this is, but who cares?

She was like, life coaching? What is that? I don't need that. But you kind of did like it. Yeah, I did.

So the whole that moment was not just about working with his daughter, it became like the work on me instead. And then I saw how it made so much drastic changes in my life. This is what I want. This is where I feel like I embodying myself.

This is like your calling.

I think it was my calling, and I've always— I think it's always been there for me to coach people. Like, I've always help people kind of get them into the person that they want to come, whether it's on stage, performance. Yes. And now it's just like life, life, right? It's everything. It's everything. Like stage is life. It is. Stage is life. So I was like, I started just embodying that and all my experiences from the my mentors or the people that have inspired me, my coaches and my fuck-ups, my mistakes, and all my experiences as a dancer and as a performer. I've also just married that into my coaching. Take it all in. Yes, and now my focus is helping women navigate life transitions, whether it's personally or professionally. So here I am. Limiting beliefs come from different things in your life or things that have happened in your life. It can come from your family, it could come up from things that you picked up from childhood. And then the next chapter, I am now a mother.

Yeah, she has a really cute daughter.

Yeah, and you can give us her name, give tips for being your mother, or you give tips to being a mother.

But if you don't like chat, chat will not suck.

No. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So yeah, um, you know, I talked to you and asked you, who do you want to emulate today?

Yeah, what is your fantasy, the drag fantasy you'd like us to fulfill?

Okay, so yeah, this one was a tough one. Um, when Virginia asked me this, I was like, maybe Eartha Kitt. Not, not because her performance and skills. I think it's more of her story and her journey and how she embraced diversity and authenticity. So, um, and I'm always about that, like embracing authenticity. So I think Eartha Kitt would be the best one.

What is the most memorable Eartha Kitt moment that you remember?

I think Oh my, the times when I was watching Catwoman because my mom was like, wow, she's the very first Catwoman.

Yes, yes.

And there was something about her like jaws and cheekbones, like it's so powerful.

I don't know if she was the first, but she was one of the earliest ones. I think she was.

You're right, you're right. Yeah, yeah, you're right, I'm wrong.

And I agree too. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

I will do research on this.

The first one may have been, I think, a black and white, a white girl. I think it's I think it was a white girl.

I think—

was it the girl who was honored into Wong Fu with love? You know that? No, no, no. We'll do, we'll do our research. ChatGPT. But yeah, I think— but I'm missing all things out.

But she is one of the first iconic cat women out there. So yeah, yeah, she said—

are you a cat person? I'm only cat. Interesting.

There's just something about her.

Yeah, I can't even do that. That she does. Yes, yes, yeah.

And there's a really popular impersonation of that in Drag Race.

Yeah, there is, by Jujubee. I love Jujubee. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Um, yeah, did you know that Eartha Kitt also sang Wadai Wadai?

Yeah, she did. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Because, because, because of the Marcuses, unfortunately. Imelda would request her to sing that song.

Yeah, but did you know that I also sing Where I Were, right? Does anyone know that? Okay, never mind. All right, so we're gonna transform you if that's okay with you. You're gonna fulfill a fantasy and, um, she's gonna perform.

Yes. No, well, will you?

Yeah, I'm telling you, I'm in this chapter in my life to just get out of my comfort zone. So let's see, let's see how often.

Oh well, once you're in drag, you are performer, honey.

Great, I love that. She came prepared. All right, okay, we're gonna be back.

All right, okay, we're gonna be back.

Yeah, we're gonna be back. And Tina will be— no, we have to think of a drag name.

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Come up with that after she comes back.

Right, right, right. So think about your drag name. Yes, for a bit. And then, okay, they'll transform you and then we'll chat in a bit and we'll, we'll ask you how you feel about everything. Yes. Yeah.

All right, we'll be back. Welcome back, welcome back!

Welcome back, welcome back to Dragmopan.com!

Yes, the only YouTube show that allows us to do whatever we want and, and transform people into their drag persona. I would say this is a safe space for everybody who wants to express themselves of everything.

Yes, not so safe for us though, but safe for you.

So we will welcome— we're so excited, please welcome Sheena, our victim for today.

Yeah, girl.

Well, do you see Eartha Kitt? Do you see Eartha Kitt?

Do you see Eartha Kitt? Yes, she has possessed her.

Oh my God, how do you feel, Sheena? Good.

I feel good. Be honest.

Okay, be honest. Like, I found it like so much fun in my head because I was thinking like, how is the process like, you know, like just to embody yourself with another character. So it was fun.

Yes, but girl, look at the face. I think she gets—

yeah, she does look to the T. Yes, she does look like that's Eartha Kitt right there. Yes.

Yeah, but first things first, she needs a drag name. She needs a drag name.

Yes. I bestow upon you this beautiful name called Ertha KitKat.

Without the Ertha anymore. Oh, the KitKat. KitKat. KitKat.

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing KitKat.

Oh yeah.

I will embody it now.

Now, in terms of being in your drag persona as a woman, do you think that women should also try drag?

Yeah, of course. Yeah, you know what, I was, I was thinking about my daughter because she's at this phase now. Whatever I do, she copies. Yeah, and I was telling someone from backstage because she's always borrowing my makeup and, and I can just see how fun it is for her, like, copying that. And now I kind of saw that. I was like, earlier, why didn't I just Google more about Eartha Kitt? Because it's so much fun, you know, just like think about like, how am I gonna like—

Embody the movement.

No, but that's really nice to hear that because I realized by you saying that, that drag starts at a very early age.

Yes, yes, actually. Like, little girls, when they try on makeup That is that. Yeah, it's definitely transformed. I want to be like Mommy. I want to be as pretty as Mommy.

But unfortunately, as early as that, that's where also where people start shaming us. That's true. It is true. So for all you parents out there, if your child experiments, trying to express themselves, let them. That's the best advice. Yes. I have a question.

You're a mommy, right? How would you feel if you had a queer child? I would support that. Really? Of course. Of course. Love that.

Totally support it. What are— what do you say about parents who don't support? What do you say?

Yeah, what do you say about parents who don't support their children for being queer? Because there are a lot of parents who do that.

Um, you know what, like, my, my brother is actually gay, and it took— I wouldn't even say that my parents have accepted it. I think they just kind of just pushed it away. And I can see how the impact it is to my brother in the way he shows up to the world. And, um, I think my parents tried their best to handle the situation the best way that they can at the time. Yes, or just, just from what they know. And, and I, I know that my parents truly love my brother, but I think it would have really helped him in terms of his growth and the way he would show up more. Not that I'm saying there's something that needs to be fixed with my brother, but I think as parents should be able to allow their child to just express themselves, because if it's not something that has been supported at such a young age, that would have an impact to them. I agree.

Like that love has to be unconditional. Yes, we just have to give, you know, your, your, you know, you support our children regardless of who they are and what they want to become in the future. Yeah, yeah.

And why are we so afraid of drag? I don't really understand it, you know. Why are people so afraid of people expressing themselves?

It's really an interesting question.

Yes, I just think it's so— it's, for me, it's so much fun. This I never really thought about doing this, but it's just as I was sitting there, I didn't even want to look at myself in the mirror until I see everything. Then I was just like, oh, wow. Now I saw the process, how it goes. I could only understand the process that you would do, like, performances and shows. For example, with us as dancers, I totally understand the hard work that goes behind it. Of course. How much more something that's It takes like— sometimes you have to embody someone that quick in just a few seconds. Costume change and character change, and you have to study and do the research. That's a lot of work. So that's respect.

Respect. And we're very happy you did all the work as well for today's episode.

Very fabulous.

She was like, "Ooh, ahh." Are you going to take a lot of photos of me?

Yes.

Don't worry. Well, here's the thing. We're going to let you strut the runway. Yeah. Yes. And yes, and celebrate yourself.

Yeah. So we will be with you all the steps of the way. Okay. We'll be cheering like, "Hey girl, you work it, boss!

Work that desk!" But my theme for this right now where I am in this phase of my life is to just get out of my comfort zone. Yes. Which has my momma cocoon.

Okay, I see. I see. Yeah, mommies can still rock it.

Yes, mommies can rock it. Okay, get it. So without further ado, here's Tina and her runway performance.