DRAG DEN SEASON 1
Amazon Prime Video
Jaylo Conanan Design • Cornerstone Studios • Project 8 Project
The Philippine drag pageantry reality competition television series Drag Den premiered on December 8, 2022, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Renowned drag artist Manila Luzon serves as the show’s host, head judge, and executive producer. The series was produced by Cornerstone Studios and Project 8 Projects, under the direction and creation of Rod Singh, who also served as producer.
On November 17, 2022, the contestants and judges for the first season were officially introduced. Eight drag queens competed for the coveted title of “Filipino’s First Drag Supreme.” Among them, Maria Cristina, who directly collaborated with Jaylo Conanan, worked on select aspects of ID 119 from Benilde’s Production Design Program for her appearances.
The first season ran from December 8, 2022, to January 19, 2023, with Naia crowned as the winner, followed by Shewarma and Maria Cristina as runners-up. Each episode of Drag Den reflects the ethos of being “for the Filipinos, by the Filipinos,” offering a rich exploration of the diverse and multifaceted world of drag culture in the Philippines. The show’s unique non-elimination format further enhances its appeal, allowing contestants to focus on artistic expression rather than the pressure of weekly eliminations.
The team was tasked with designing the look for Episode 2 of Drag Den Philippines, specifically for the “Pinoy Novelty Song” runway and stand-up category featuring MC (Maria Cristina). The ensemble drew inspiration from the classic Filipino novelty song “Si Felimon,” a Cebuano folk tune that tells the story of a fisherman who catches a mudskipper (locally known as tambasakan), sells it at the market, and spends his earnings on coconut wine (tuba) and gambling.
The attire featured a dress constructed from soldered-together coins and a coat assembled from playing cards linked with key rings—symbolic of Felimon’s gambling habits. To represent his life as a fisherman, the design incorporated elements inspired by the salakot hat, but with a playful, drag-appropriate twist: the use of an abaca food cover in place of the traditional salakot, reflecting both cultural ingenuity and whimsical reinterpretation.
The initial look and design were meticulously crafted by our team—composed of myself, Tiana Cances, Kate Nepomuceno, Dave Dalmacion, and Erin Mabunga—with the sole purpose of obtaining approval from Jaylo Conanan. Remarkably, it was a no-revision design, requiring only one consultation to finalize and execute. With Jaylo’s endorsement to proceed, the team promptly began the execution process.