This Filipino drag queen is fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in her country
| 04/15/25
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'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
Manila is one of the world's most densely populated cities, busy day and night, with a majority working from paycheck to paycheck. Rey Ravago, 64, is one of them who takes on many forms to survive. Some days, he is a massage therapist, a part-time street sweeper, and a hairstylist. He has performed as a drag queen for the past 40 years. Ravago is a staunch advocate for the heavily contested Anti-Discrimination Bill. It was first presented in 2000 to the Philippine Congress to protect people of all ages from gender-based violence, discrimination, and freedom of expression. The law has not come to pass and is considered one of the slowest pieces of legislation in the country’s history. The predominantly Catholic nation is one of only two countries in the world without divorce, and same-sex marriage is met with strong opposition from Christian groups and conservative politicians.
The nation’s lack of programs to secure the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, combined with the poor healthcare system for the elderly, makes it tougher for people who are older and gay, as they face stigma, isolation, and unequal treatment. LGBTQ elders are more inclined to be single, childless, and estranged from their families and rely on families of choice, counting on the kindness of friends and support from their immediate community.
The project follows Ravago’s journey as he struggles with daily life but still manages to find joy in the most difficult situations. He enriches the lives of others by volunteering his time to champion LGBTQ issues and strives to change how others see the aging gay community in the Philippines. The project title, “This Is My Life,” is taken from a song popularized by legendary singer and gay icon Shirley Bassey, whom Ravago takes inspiration from, channeling Bassey’s persona, exuding strength, glamour, and confidence. The power ballad has been part of his drag performance repertoire since the 1980s.
Ravago’s story is a universal narrative of resilience, identity, and the enduring human spirit. Ultimately reminding us to stand strong in the face of adversity.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
Rey Ravago has been a drag queen for the past 40 years. He takes on many forms to survive. Some days he is a massage therapist or hair stylist. "I value my independence and do not want to be a burden to others even in my old age". Ravago says. November 28, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
Rey Ravago's apartment compound in Pasay. He lives alone and cares for the stray cats in the neighborhood. December 13, 2024. Metro Manila,
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
Rey Ravago lights a candle in Baclaran Church, Parañaque to celebrate his 64th birthday. The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic nation. Christian groups and conservative politicians strongly oppose divorce and same-sex marriage. November 22, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
An array of gowns on sale behind Baclaran Church. It is one of the city's biggest markets for ready-to-wear garments. November 22, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
“When my brothers found out I was gay, they would beat me up, so I left home at the age of 15,” Ravago recalls as he puts on make-up inside his apartment in Pasay. “But when the rest of my family saw my independence and how my talent brought me overseas, they stopped giving me a hard time.” November 28, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
A photo of Rey Ravago speaking at a Gender Rights event in Makati. He is often invited to discuss the issues faced by senior members of the LGBTQ community. He is a staunch advocate for the heavily contested Anti-Discrimination Bill. It was first presented in 2000 to the Philippine Congress to protect people of all ages from gender-based violence, discrimination, and freedom of expression. The law has not come to pass and is considered one of the slowest pieces of legislation in the country’s history. November 28, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
Rey Ravago rests in his home in Pasay during the afternoon. He waits for clients to call him for massage or hair styling services. The nation’s lack of livelihood programs for the elderly, combined with the poor healthcare system, makes it tougher for people who are older and gay, as they face stigma, isolation, and unequal treatment. "Gay people often experience solitude. We tend to do things on our own, even when facing problems." Ravago says. December 4, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
Rey Ravago dyes the hair of his neighbor outside of his apartment. Like Ravago, the people in his community work long hours, often from paycheck to paycheck. He accommodates clients in the evenings after they are free from work. "Those of us who are aging, are starting to feel a lot of pain. We need maintenance medicines for our illnesses, but the problem is not everyone has work, so there is no money to buy medicines.” Ravago says. December 4, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
Rey Ravago looks at younger photographs of himself performing in Japan in the 1980s. December 13, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
"I will continue to perform for as long as I can. " Ravago smiles. He puts on a show for the Pasay Gay Community. December 14, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
Ohbet, Rey, and Henry stand outside their friend's home in Laloma just like old times. They are all members of the LGBTQ community and have been close friends for the past 50 years. They worked together in Japan as drag queens in the 1980s. LGBTQ elders are more inclined to be single, childless, and estranged from their families and rely on families of choice, counting on the kindness of friends and support from their immediate community. December 7, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
'This is My Life' photo essay: Filipino Drag Elder by Shirin Bhandari
Shirin Bhandari for VII Academy
Rey Ravago rides a jeepney home after performing at an LGBTQ party. “While I am still strong, I will continue to help others. I hope the laws meant for us, will come to pass. We deserve LGBTQ-friendly work for older persons. We are human beings like everyone else and still serve a purpose in society.” December 14, 2024. Metro Manila, Philippines.
Shirin Bhandari is an independent writer, photographer, and documentary filmmaker based in Metro
Manila
Courtesy Shirin Bhandari
Connection: I lived for many years close to Rey’s neighborhood. It is a privilege to follow him closely and call him a friend. His trust was key in creating an intimate visual narrative of his life. I hope the story can bring the issues of the elderly gay community in the Philippines to the forefront and harness change.
Shirin Bhandari is an independent writer, photographer, and documentary filmmaker based in Metro Manila who graduated from the University of the Philippines, College of Fine Arts. Her work, focusing on war and conflict, displacement, malnutrition, HIV, LGBTQ/gender-based issues, and climate change, has appeared in the Pulitzer Center, SCMP, Women's Media Center, Slate, CNN, Roads and Kingdoms, Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, and VICE. A Logan Nonfiction Fellow, VII Academy alum, and member of Women Photograph, she has produced documentaries for the UN, USAID, Save the Children, Action Against Hunger, EUAID, and CARE. Her project “The Show Goes On” was showcased in Heidelberg, Germany in 2024, while her feature film “People of the Lake” is set for completion in 2025. Bhandari’s newest film, “The Fishermen Snared in the Scarborough Shoal Dispute,” supported by the Pulitzer Center, SCMP, and Roads and Kingdoms, was screened at the DC Environmental Film Festival in March 2024.
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