Rajo Laurel confirms ‘Drag Race Philippines’ season 2, ‘Project Runway PH’ revival plans

MANILA, Philippines — Celebrity fashion designer Rajo Laurel confirmed that the season 2 of hit reality series “Drag Race Philippines” is on its way and the other show where he was also a judge, “Project Runway Philippines,” is also being planned of getting revived.

At a dinner early this week hosted by Mastercard, Laurel told Philstar.com in an exclusive interview that the second season of the Philippine version of “Drag Race” is “coming very soon.”

Although the first season is yet to name its winner, Rajo, who finished shooting the season a year ago, is satisfied with the show’s outcomes and the winner.

“It was shot a year ago. So many things have happened since the eposides,” he enthused.

He admitted that although he was hurt by the bashing he got for his comments on the contestants, he learned a lot from constructive criticism.

“I have emerged more compassionate… I never had that much hate in my entire life. So it’s a wake-up call. But at the same time, it’s a reality that drag isn’t my life. I mean, I have a life after ‘Drag Race’ and before ‘Drag Race’ but at the same time, I love the show so much and that’s why I’m very passionate about it and that’s why I’m very honest about it and I still will continue loving this show regardless of the outcome.”

Despite the not-so-favorable comments he gave to some of the contestants, he assured fans that there were no ill feelings between him and the queens.

“I’ve become closer to the queens,” he attested. “In fact, right after that particular episode, we even had drinks with the contestants. There’s really extremely no hard feelings.”

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Meanwhile, Rajo also confirmed that he heard of plans to revive fashion reality show “Project Runway Philippines” ("PRP"), local version of the American franchise hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum. But so far, there are no updates yet as to which production outfit will carry it and when will it push through. "PRP" ran for four seasons and aired on ETC.

But apart from follow-up seasons, the best thing that ever happened for bringing these shows in the Philippines, particularly “Drag Race,” is that it has changed people’s perception and has elevated the industry.

“Before, drag queens here were paid P100 a night,” Rajo told Mastercard executives and the press, including Philstar.com, at the dinner table. “But because of ‘Drag Race,’ it helped professionalize the industry and give our queens a better life.”

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