After saying goodbye to Popstar Bench, Mama Pao revealed the twist for this week’s episode: We’re having a LalapaRUza. The queens gather to discuss how they expect the lip sync smackdown to go down, and some are excited whilst others are hesitant. Zymba Ding in particular seems scared for what’s to come, whereas the others are ready to take on the challenge.
This marks the first LalapaRUza for the Philippines franchise, and I have a feeling it’s going to be chaotic, jaw-dropping, and, of course, emotional. With only six remaining, it’s going to be sad to see anyone leave at this juncture. But before it begins, Myx Chanel and Zymba spark a heated debate after she mocks the girls for claiming they can’t afford her outfit. Myx responds that Zymba’s drag mother paid for her drag race package for the competition. Zymba doesn’t see the funny side, and everyone berates her for not being able to see the issue.
Another delightfully odd and wonderful mini-challenge arrives titled Pound the Pot. A traditional game played at birthday parties that involves smashing a pot full of treats. In quick drag, they have just one minute to break the pot. First to play is Tita Baby, and the pit crew is in danger of being hit on the head as the queens trick her into going in the opposite direction. Myx Chanel smashed it straight away, and for some reason, Zymba is wearing the most bizarre breastplate that is hanging down to her knee caps—chaos. Khianna is wearing the highest stripper heels known to man; they are more like skyscraper high—but she managed to smack the pot open. Saving the best for last is Angel, who falls to the ground after being spun, but she gets there in the end.
So, let the lip sync smackdown LalapaRUza commence, and my favourite guest judge, BJ Pascal, is back on the panel this week. It’s the usual game of picking names from a bowl to reveal song choices and so forth. Round one is between Tita Baby, and she selects to battle against Myx Chanel. The song choice is Adrenaline by Rupaul, which is the best way to kickstart, but Tita Baby is nervous since she has little faith in her own lip-syncing capabilities. Surprisingly, Tita Baby wins this round, although I did think Myx did a better job.
Tita gets to go to the werkoom and enjoy the show; she’s happy with herself and her ability to overcome the initial self-doubt. A golden egg rests in the background enigmatically, and a surprise is to be announced later. Angel is up next, and she selects Khianna; this duel is going to be iconic, with Loka Loka by Queen Manica Money as the track of choice. Angel’s outfit reveals are seamless, and she has such a good stage presence, as does Khianna, whose wig reveal is unexpected; this is the sort of drag show you want to attend. Angel goes on to commit murder on the dancefloor and is through to join Tita in untucked.
As a result, this leaves Maxi and Zymba to face round three with the song Hush by Yassi Pressman & Nadine Lustre. Maxi does not miss a beat or a word, and there has not been a single dull lip sync; they have all been incredible. These girls need to travel to the U.K asap. Rightfully so, Maxi is chosen to stay another day and joins the werkroom queens to see how the remaining smackdown plays out. The twist is that the queens hold the power of the golden balut (which is a popular Filipino delicacy made of fertilised egg embryos). The Balut grants the safe queens the power to save one of the bottom three queens… We love a twist!
Back in untucked, the bottom queens discuss why they should stay, and things quickly turn shady. But Khianna attempts to inject some fun into the conversation as she says everyone is taking themselves way too seriously. With the decision made, the queen that is chosen to be saved is Khianna. This is the right choice, as she deserves to be in the final five. Leaving the bottom two: Myx and Zymba to fight it out to stay with the song Ligaw Tingin by Leah Navarro. Myx Chanel is told to sashay away, who I adore, but she fought a good fight.
What did you think of this week’s episode? Did the right person go home? Drag Race Philippines airs Wednesdays at 4am PT // 7am ET, worldwide on WOWPresents Plus.
