ONGINA, PINOY DRAG QUEEN IN RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE ANNOUNCED HER HIV STATUS ON TV!

Now, the first time I saw the contestants, I had a vague feeling that this Asian contestant is a Filipino. But besides knowing that, it did not really matter since she's really fabulous and fierce and her shaved head is a big statement in the drag world where status is symbolized by monstrous wigs .... and attitude!

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Ongina - the shortest, the smallest and the cutest, among the finalists recently announced her HIV status for the past two years .... after winning the MAC Makeup competition!

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Life is a continuous coming out - and this one takes a lot of BRAVERY !!!

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ONGINA: “I just wanted to say, and I’ve always been so afraid to say it, that I’ve been living with HIV for the last two years of my life, and this means so much to me. I didn’t want to say it on national TV because my parents doesn’t know. Oh my God…”

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But... read this a little bit cold and cynical blog- comment about this incident here - - > JUST A TYPICAL DRAG QUEEN SOBBING VIDEO.

TAKEN FROM : MAKE UP FOR LIFE

Thanks to MAC Cosmetics, I got to interview my favorite contestant from RuPaul’s Drag Race, the stunningly gorgeous and oh-so-funny Miss Ongina!

Growing up in the Philippines, Ryan Palao, a.k.a. Ongina, was just a flamboyant little boy.

When his family moved to the US, he was introduced to the idea of Halloween. Being completely fascinated by it, Ryan started dressing up every year.

Later, he moved to New York and under the influence of the clubbing scene, he finally went full on drag on his 21st birthday and Ongina was born!

So where does our queen get her inspiration from? “A lot of things - fashion shows, TV, music and movies” but her biggest inspiration is the first drag queen supermodel and hostess of the show, RuPaul. “I never saw RuPaul as anything other than a woman.

She is so inspiring and her makeup really is flawless!”Ongina is also a big fan of Beyonce and she does a lot of Beyonce’s songs in her performances. “Beyonce is such a great performer and I like that she takes risks. Just like RuPaul, she is beautiful both inside and out.”

As for beauty tips from Ongina (which I am sure we are all dying to know since her makeup looks *so* fabulous!), she has the following to say:

Less is more and blending is very important.For killer cheekbones, use a darker foundation on the cheeks right below the ear. Dab on blush and blend everything together.”* “As a boy, I don’t have a lot of lashes so I like to wear fake eyelashes a lot. The look is never complete without them.”

Ongina highly recommends MAC’s Lashes. “I don’t like to repeat them. You can get a pair for less than $20 and there are many different kinds so you can achieve different looks with them.” She also prefers a full set of lashes over individual ones and she does not use lashes on the bottom.*

Highlighting. “I do a lot of highlighting,” said Ongina. She likes MAC’s Sculpt and Shape Powder in Bone Beige/Emphasize (available at MAC Pro stores) which she applies under her eyes and on the t-zone. Use a foundation in the right shade. This is especially important for drags because they need to make sure it can cover up their mustache.* Play up your best features.

“For most people, the eyes are their best feature so wear colors that complement them.”

Finally, Ongina’s advice to queens who just started doing drag

“Stay true to yourself. Find your comfort zone and you will shine on stage.”

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YOU GO GURL !!!

BEST OF LUCK IN THE COMPETITION!

TO ME, YOU ARE ALREADY A WINNER !!!

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HOMO LOVING SONS OF THE GUNS ....

OSCARS. I am not really a fanatic Oscars follower (I used to be), but last night I was amazed by the ceremonies. . Luckily we stumbled on the it last night being a late telecast, after watching Desperate Housewife and Brothers and Sisters (which I found really cruisy nowadays!). I love, love Sean Penn's statement about Human Rights, in relation to winning Best Actor in the film Milk. I thought that after reading his thank you list, he would not say anything more aside from that funny "homo-loving sons of the guns..." statement. I wished he would have and he did! It drove massive reaction but I still sense tinges of homophobia even in this very gay film industry! . I think Kate Winslet really deserves her Oscars! Hugh Jackman was entertaining but a bit cheezy! I'm really beginning to really dislike Brangelina! Remarks of the night by Anthony Hopkins (?) "... To be great being an actor, but also as a human being!" RECONCILIATIONS. Last Saturday was really magical. I don't know what was going on but I reconciled with some of my friends with whom I had some misgivings or misunderstanding in the past! And just in one day. We hugged. We talked about our lives and filled up the gaps. And I thought ... three monkeys?

LIFE'S A BITCH !!!

According to Lola Madonna, who is a certified proud BITCH, LIFE is a MYSTERY!

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But with what we go through with LIFE, it is more of a BITCH than anything!

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Now adding the two together- we get LIFE IS A MYSTERIOUS BITCH!

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But with that photo above, who is the BETTER bitch - LIFE or MADONNA?

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I've just learned that one of my numerous cousins, died of a heart attack at the age of 37, yesterday. At the prime of his life, leaving a widow and three children. I was totally shocked! Only three days ago, that dead-now cousin, carried one of my uncles to the hospital. My uncle was saved. He escaped death by just an inch. But the grim reaper took the saviour, in the end.

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With the ongoing bushfires in Victoria - the Grim Reaper harvested almost 200 lives, and destroyed more ...

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But all around the world, people are constantly suffering, dying every minute ....

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And all we could do is watch, shed a tear and maybe bitch a little bit ... more

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DEFIANTLY. And maybe through sheer inanity of it all, we gain just a little bit of power over LIFE, in aging, in being sick, in dying .... and posing like MADONNA, like there is no tomorrow... above!

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Yes, I think MADONNA is winning, afterall she is a certified BITCH !

PHILIP ISLAND'S PROJECT RUN- AWAY: THE OTHER CONTESTANTS

( EMCEE Mark, interviewing the candidates backstage, i think one drag queen splashed too much kukuryo make up on Mark, thus he looked like a fully fed vampire here :) )

EMCEE MARK: As we have seen the contestant numero UNO - Gabrielle Louis Mendoza, let us have a look at the other contestants in their running order.

NOW !!!

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(2DOS)

GAYZHA

Richmond, JAPAN

(3TRES) JESSICA LEE

Philip Island

(4CUATRO)

CRYSTAL VIEL

Brazil

5Cinco

EMMA SALAZAR

CHINA

6Siez

LIL KIT

Thailand

7 Siete KAMIRA

Hongkong

8Ocho

TIA MARIA

SPAIN

9Nueve

MERCEDEZ VINCE

INDIA / Singapore

(Photos collated are those taken only during the contest itself and may not be fully representing all the wardrobe, costumes and gowns worn during the contest)

PHILIP ISLAND'S PROJECT RUN-AWAY (DRAG DIVISION) : RACE TO THE ISLAND ...

PROJECT RUN-AWAY 2009

JANUARY 31, 2009

PHILIP ISLAND

Philip Island is around two to three hours travel from Melbourne. The island is known for the bike/car racing and of course the Penguins. I have not been to the island before so it was a thing to look forward to. We traveled by car (full of costumes and drag outfits), and with GPS, it was easy peasy ride ...

TRAVEL AND PREPARATIONS PHOTOS

Most of the contestants and their co-horts are coming from Melbourne. Around two to three hours travel by car or by train and boat, the trek to Philip Island was an event in itself.

Thanks to Facebook - I have gathered these photos from various contestants and their friends....

Who came by public train and the caught the boat to the island ...

Mahendra and her friend on the boat to PI.

Tia Maria and Little Kit with Anthony's boyfriend ... they were the first to arrive in the provided accomodation for the contestants ....

Checking the venue:

RHYLL FISHING PARK AND RESTAURANT

click here - - for site and photos

.... which was really like this. I made a drawing below so you can imagine how unique the stage and rampway is. It is really a huge venue and walking through that pathway with gravel would really be challenging if not dangerous ... especially if you are wearing stilletoes. Gabby (the organizer) assured us though that the gravel pathway will be covered with red carpet during the night to make it possible for us to walk down this ramp ... and climb back again !!!!

EARLY BIRDS

The show was supposed to start at 8:30. So the candidates have to start preparing themselves at around 4 pm. Shaving here and there ... and all sort of stuff !!!

This guy is our emcee for the pageant ... also having a good time !!!

NEXT : THE DRAG CONTESTANTS ...