“I did not look for them; rather, fate brought us together.”
The conventional family, by definition, is connected by blood. A drag family, however, is bound by the blood from the wounds earned in the fight for their identities, their truths, and their fundamental rights to exist—coming together to embrace one another and build a sanctuary in a world that often rejects them.
If you have been a supporter of RuPaul’s Drag Race long before making it into a million-dollar franchise, it has a rich history of artists in sky-high stilettos, pounds of lace-front wigs, and make-up painted across their faces who are persevering individuals othered in their own homes. In that, discussions about drag families are commonplace in its 16 seasons and over 15 years of award-winning reign on television. In the Philippines, drag families have had little to no spotlight even with the reality competition landed on local shores. While many drag families may have come before them and have long operated in the deep recesses of the local drag and bar scene, for The Mastermind Issue, we bring the focus on one.
Since its inception and throughout its first year of existence—with flying colors at that— the House of Ding has been synonymous with praise and recognition, emerging as a beacon of excellence in the drag scene. Through their shared passion for drag and unwavering commitment to their craft, they have formed an unshakable bond rooted in mutual respect, support, and fierce determination.
Led by the dynamic drag mother Brigiding, and no small thanks to the legions of fans and supporters built because of her celebrated stay at the pioneering edition of the reality competition, the House of Ding was born and gathered young visionaries from Zymba Ding, Felicia Ding, and Bomba Ding. The family sat down with Rank Magazine to reflect on their journey from the brains of its maestro, to becoming such a formidable force. They discussed how the perfect fusion of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent has not only solidified their family’s strength but also propelled them to the forefront of the drag world.
Mommie Dearest
The “brand” may be elusive unless your gaze is directed toward Brigiding, the 32-year-old drag queen and a cast member of the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines.
“During Drag Race Philippines Season 1, the world got to know me, and I received my fair share of the spotlight,“ she reflects.
As Brigiding maintained a steady standing throughout the competition, she has created a powerful safe haven as a mother, nurturing her drag children. “After the show, I naturally evolved, leading me to my true calling: mentoring and nurturing the next generation of drag artists,” she reflects.
Despite their youth, each child exudes a distinct boldness. She adds, “I felt a connection with all three of the children from the moment I met them. They truly came into my life as a blessing.”
Even as a young drag mother, Brigiding is excelling, with her house accomplishing impressive feats. Notably, her daughter Zymba Ding has been cast in the coming third season of Drag Race Philippines. “It’s challenging but surprisingly rewarding,” she asserts.
Having just moved into a new home and preparing for bigger things coming their way, theirs is a story of laser sharp focus on the still vibrant road ahead. As their house is gaining serious momentum, now recognized as one of the largest drag houses in the country, none of this would be possible without Brigiding’s experiences shaping her children’s journey. “Having my own drag family is my outlet to share what I know and what I’ve been through,” she says.
As Brigiding’s career continued to advance and her empire remarkably expanded, she always sought to build a tribe, a community that resonated with her beliefs both personally and professionally.
“This is important to me because it guarantees that you watch out for one another. So in our case, I feel better knowing that my family and my kids get the safety and security they need,” she explains. “It’s never easy because you are not only looking after yourself, but you are also accountable for other people. As you continue to develop and establish your name and brand, you also have to create a name for others.”
For Brigiding, having a support system is crucial, especially in a country where the LGBTQIA+ community is often merely tolerated rather than fully accepted. It’s not easy going against the grain, but Brigiding and her family are learning to roll with the punches.
Beyond being one of the country’s most iconic drag queens, Brigiding has transformed into a leader and inspiration—embodying much more than just a brand but an artist with a strong, loud message and vocation.
“I want my drag family to serve as an inspiration, showing that drag can flourish in an environment where people lift each other up. I want to show how people thrive and achieve greatness, particularly when surrounded by a supportive arena. I want to show the world the importance of having a loving chosen family,” she emphasizes.
ZYMBA
Kicking off her career in the ongoing season of Drag Race Philippines, all hail to the queen of the jungle as Zymba Ding continues to prove she’s “not just a baddie” but a fierce, fearless, and ferocious representation of her drag family.
With nearly two years in drag, Zymba radiates seasoned energy, having won Viñas Deluxe’s Bunganga Battle Royale, then making waves with her stunning performance at the ongoing season of local franchise of Drag Race. “I wanna be known for how remarkable and special my story is as a drag queen. To be a successful drag artist despite [my] background.”
When asked about her journey into the House of Ding, she shares that there were no difficulties or immense pressures when entering, thanks to Brigiding’s approach. “She told me straight up that this is a serious business and that it’s not going to be easy, but she also assured me that I would learn from the experience and that one day I would be a star like she is—which, it seems, I am today.”
Zymba initially saw herself with limited drag expertise, but with the guidance of Brigiding’s decade of drag experience, she quickly rose to prominence, becoming part of major shows—a testament to Brigiding’s nurturing as a mother.
At the present season of Drag Race Philippines, Zymba is armed with show-stopping fashion and unforgettable performances every time she graces the stage. It’s no surprise that her ultimate dream is to travel the world as a supermodel and pop star. “Imagine touring the world looking beautiful and dancing to your favorite song,” she says.
Zymba also hopes to reshape perceptions of drag, emphasizing that it’s a performance art where performers, often gay men, dress in exaggerated clothing and makeup associated with the opposite gender to entertain, express creativity, and challenge gender norms.
“No exception to who can do drag. It’s for everyone,” she notes.
FELICIA
Felicia Ding, whose name stems from the Filipino phrase Filipina siya (she’s a Filipina), is ambitiously setting her sights on representing the Philippines on the international stage.
Aiming to be recognized as an exceptional lipsyncher—one of the core elements of drag—Felicia is particularly known for performing iconic monologues from films. One of her performances garnered 464k views on TikTok and nearly 82k likes. She shares, “I want to leave an impression on my audience that my performance will make them realize different things.”
In addition to achieving viral success across multiple platforms, Felicia triumphed in Drag Cartel All Stars 5. She attributes much of her growth to her drag mother, from whom she learned not just about drag, but countless other life skills. Reflecting on the experience of having Brigiding as her mentor—someone who has already made a name for herself—Felicia remarks, “It’s like reading a book.”
Felicia views her time in the House of Ding as a pivotal chapter in her life, where she found a chosen family that helped her grow. Along the way, she also gained a deeper understanding of herself, recognizing her own strengths and weaknesses.
Now living her dream as a young drag artist, Felicia enjoys the unique satisfaction of doing what she loves while paying her bills. Despite feeling on cloud nine, she remains driven to push her boundaries, with hopes of joining Drag Race Philippines to inspire more aspiring artists. She believes it’s important to show others that “dreaming something big and reaching it is possible.”
Having performed on various stages, Felicia defines drag as a pure reflection of freedom, creativity, and self-expression. As she puts it, “Drag is an artform wherein people dress and do what they please.”
BOMBA
“When you think of me, two things should come to mind—explosive body and explosive performer.”
The House of Ding’s “Sweetest Pasabog,” Bomba Ding, has been doing drag for about a year now, and she’s already making waves as one of the Philippines’ bearded drag artists and a vocal advocate for body and sex positivity. “I want to advocate for the success and proliferation of queer art and unapologetically safe and powerful gender and self-expression,” she proudly states.
With nearly 31k TikTok followers, Bomba is known for her generous and passionate performances, always striving to give her 101% to ensure the audience feels her powerful presence and energy.
A fan of Brigiding long before her rise to prominence, Bomba seized the chance to meet her at an event in March 2023. She boldly asked Brigiding to mentor her and help her become a drag queen. “She accepted the offer, introduced me to the house, and the rest was history.”
Bomba describes Brigiding as the perfect drag mother, a relationship she treasures as one of the best things to happen in her blossoming career. “She is not just a drag mother to me. In every way she can, she strives to be a second mother, helping me grow into a better version of myself—even out of drag.” To Bomba, no one else qualifies as the perfect drag mother—someone with vast experience, deep passion, and a long-standing dedication to the craft. “For me, Mama Brigiding is THAT drag queen,” she adds.
Like many drag queens, Bomba dreams of being cast on Drag Race Philippines, but it’s not the end goal for her. She excitedly says, “Always dream big! That’s what keeps me going every day.”
As a sexy dancing machine, Bomba lives by three words: BODY. POWER. DANCE. “I always make sure people experience the full Bomba Ding experience,” she declares.
Produced by: House of Ding for Rank Magazine
Photography by: Kevin Gonzales (@kevgnzls)
Post processed by: Cyrus Bon (@itscyrusbon)
Studio Partner: Studio LAJ (@studiolajph)
On Brigiding
Make up by: Brigiding
Wearing: Jha Jha Gabunal
Hair: zychotic.wigs
On Zymbading
Make up by: Zymba Ding
Wearing: Ericka Celiz
Hair by Zychotic.wigs
On Feliciading
Make up by: Feicia Ding
Wearing: deadmawalker (Brin Razon)
Hair by: Versex, Tiny Deluxe
On Bombading
Make up by: Bombading
Hair by: Zychotic.wigs
Wearing: Jomari Cruz
Assisted by: Anna Patdu, Thea Ramirez, and Julia Pronstroller