Kapuso head writer and creative consultant Suzette Doctolero has joined numerous netizens in expressing disapproval of Pura Luka Vega’s Jesus Christ drag performance, calling it offensive and blasphemous.
On July 11, Doctolero shared Pura’s video on Twitter with the caption “Offensive. Blasphemy.”
Offensive. Blasphemy. https://t.co/Vn37viI9cS
— Suzette S. Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) July 11, 2023
In a subsequent tweet reply to a netizen, Doctolero acknowledged that Pura has the right to express herself in a democracy, just as she and others have the right to voice their dissatisfaction and criticize the drag performance.
“Masakit nga ang ginawa. Di ko kinaya tapusin ang video. Pero nasa demokrasya tayo kaya me kalayaan sya and So its okey for us to say no rin, sa disrespect nya.”
Masakit nga ang ginawa. Di ko kinaya tapusin ang video. Pero nasa demokrasya tayo kaya me kalayaan sya and So its okey for us to say no rin, sa disrespect nya.
— Suzette S. Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) July 12, 2023
In a series of tweets on July 12, Doctolero also dissected the performance and explained why she found it offensive and blasphemous.
According to her, “Artists have the privilege to dissect themes from cultures and beliefs not our own but we should always be held liable for how we depict these.”
She then asked, “Uunlad ba ang humanity at isip ng kapwa tao, sa art o content na gagawin? Nag iinspire ba ito sa kapwa? Para maging mabuting tao? O ito ay nakaka offend ng anumang beliefs? Ng ating kapwa?”
1. Artists have the privilege to dissect themes from cultures and beliefs not our own but we should always be held liable for how we depict these. Uunlad ba ang humanity at isip ng kapwa tao, sa art o content na gagawin? Nag iinspire ba ito sa kapwa? Para maging mabuting tao?
— Suzette S. Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) July 12, 2023
She then explained that while she believed that the drag performance was blasphemous, it wouldn’t change her stand and support for the SOGIE Bill and the LGBT community.
2. O ito ay nakaka offend ng anumang beliefs? Ng ating kapwa? Blasphemous para sa akin ang depiction sa Lord’s Prayer. But hindi pa rin nito mababago ang aking suporta sa sogie bill at sa buong lgbt community.
— Suzette S. Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) July 12, 2023
She also noted that the performance is a kind of provocative art that aims to offend so as to attract discussion and debate.
“Yung ginawa nung drag performer ay provocative art. Offensive talaga ang technique na ito. Dahil dito, kaya nagtagumpay ang “artist” na magkaroon ng debate sa ginawa niya kasi yun naman ang purpose ng artform na ito, ang magkaroon ng debate.”
3. Yung ginawa nung drag performer ay provocative art. Offensive talaga ang technique na ito. Dahil dito, kaya nagtagumpay ang “artist” na magkaroon ng debate sa ginawa niya kasi yun naman ang purpose ng artform na ito, ang magkaroon ng debate.
— Suzette S. Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) July 12, 2023
“So ito ba ay offensive? Yes. Offensive talaga at di ko gets why may mga nagdedeny na offensive ito. E offensive nga. At yun nga ang point ng provocative art. Ang maging offensive para itaas ang usapin o debate.”
4. So ito ba ay offensive? Yes. Offensive talaga at di ko gets why may mga nagdedeny na offensive ito. E offensive nga. At yun nga ang point ng provocative art. Ang maging offensive para itaas ang usapin o debate.
— Suzette S. Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) July 12, 2023
Pura faced controversy after her Jesus Christ drag performance, which sparked significant criticism on social media. The video, posted on her Twitter account, depicted her dressed as Christ while the audience danced to a remix version of “Our Father” (Ama Namin). The performance offended many due to its disregard for religious sensibilities.
While Pura acknowledged people’s criticism about her performance, she remained firm in standing by it, saying she has no intention of mocking the religion.
“I understand that people call my performance blasphemous, offensive or regrettable. However, they shouldn’t tell me how I practice my faith or how I do my drag. That performance was not for you to begin with. It is my experience and my expression, of having been denied my rights.”
