(SPOT.ph) Brunch and drag shows are not usually two things that you would conflate together. After all, brunches are obviously held in the late morning while drag shows seem to belong to the evenings. But, just like how Butterboy Bakehouse seeks to reinvent croissants with their fun flavors and affordable price point, they’re also reinventing the brunch scene with their regular Drag Brunches happening on all Saturdays of July.
Also read: This Under-the-Radar Bakery Is Making a Case for Having Croissants Every Day
Famed croissant purveyor Butterboy holds must-visit Drag Brunches on Saturdays this month:
“Matagal na namin siyang gustong gawin when we moved out do'n sa small kitchen namin on Prudencio Street in Sampaloc, Manila,” shares Hildebrand Demeterio or Hilder who runs Butterboy with his partner, Jayson So. “Tapos we found this place in Quezon City, and naisip namin na [not only do] we have enough space for the commissary, but we also have space to host events.”
“For the drag brunch naman,” Demeterio adds, “concept na talaga siya in America where drag is really a viable career option. Pero dito wala pang gumagawa ng gano'n na food establishments who give drag queens a platform. So we said, why not? We call the shots naman.”
Both Demeterio and So immediately knew that the event they wanted to host would involve drag, as they are both big fans. “Medyo late na 'ko naging drag-queen fan actually. Before kami mag-date ni Hilder, wala akong alam about drag queens,” shares So. “Tapos ayun, yun 'yong tinuro niya sakin. Tapos naisip namin, sobrang daming talented na queens dito sa Pilipinas pero ‘di sila nabibigyan ng justice kasi, I guess, conservative rin talaga 'yong crowd natin. Kulang rin talaga 'yong avenue nila na mag-explore and i-share 'yong talents nila. And on a more personal note, sobrang fan talaga ako [of drag queens so] sobrang happy [ko] na makita sila sa bahay namin performing.”
“For me, drag queens are a beacon of glamour and joy in our stressful times,” adds Demeterio. “Entertainment and joy are very important in our lives, and drag queens provide that. Sila 'yong ilaw ng tahanan in that sense.”
If you are new to the drag scene, we can confidently say that there’s no better starting point than Butterboy’s Drag Brunch. With an entrance adorned by a pride flag, their new commissary—a bungalow in Quezon City—immediately feels like a safe space whether you’re new to drag or a longtime fan. Regardless of your level of familiarity in drag before you arrived here, you will immediately feel at home.
This was essentially the goal for Demeterio and So when they created Drag Brunch. “We spoke to Miss Eva Le Queen, one of our regular drag queens, about why nagkakaroon ng traction 'yong local drag community recently, and sabi niya no'ng pandemic kasi nagkaroon sila ng online shows,” shares Demetrio. “So 'yong mga tao na fan ng [RuPaul’s Drag Race] pero 'di aware sa local queens natin, saka lang sila nagkaroon ng exposure to the local drag scene. Dati kasi, for the longest time since 2010s hanggang before the pandemic, O Bar and Nectar mo lang sila napupuntahan eh. So you have to seek out the drag experience in the nighttime. Pero nung nagstart na yung online shows, you don't have to step inside a nightclub na for the drag experience. Like some people are not really made for that environment, di ba? So nagkaroon sila ng different avenue to enjoy drag. So for us, isa naming nabibigay for drag queens is kapag sumikat 'yong drag brunch na concept ay 'yong magkaroon sila ng different avenue to reach a different type of audience. Like mga tita na 'di sanay sa nightclub and mas brunch or afternoon high tea [gusto nila]. Kaya I feel na important to push drag brunch.”
Each Drag Brunch (P800/ticket)—the dates of which are announced on Butterboy's Facebook and Instagram handles—comes with your choice from three kinds of breakfast. The Butterboy Breakfast of Champions (BBC) is a hearty, savory option inspired by an English breakfast with fennel sausage, refried beans, scrambled egg, roasted tomatoes, and a Butterboy classic butter croissant. For those who don’t mind going the sweet route first thing in the morning, we cannot recommend the French Toast and Seasonal Fruits enough; this dish comes with French toast using Butterboy’s classic croissant for a buttery, cinnamon-y treat, and is paired with fresh strawberries, caramelized bananas, and a cream-cheese pastry cream. Meanwhile, vegetarians don’t have to miss out with the Hummus and Roasted Veggies with hummus, roasted vegetables, scrambled egg, and a Butterboy classic butter croissant.
Each brunch plate also comes with iced tea or brewed coffee (with an option to go bottomless), and a tea set with a Madeleine, Canelé de Butterboy, and Mini Butter Croissant.
But we know what you’re really interested in is the drag element of this brunch: the event also includes a performance by a local drag queen and a viewing of the latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Star Season 7, something both Demetrio and So are very excited about. “No'ng nagkaroon ng All Stars Season 7 na all winners, sabi namin mag-host na tayo ng viewing party,” shares So. “I-push na rin natin 'yong drag brunch na matagal na nating gustong gawin. So ayun, do'n nag-come about 'yong Drag Brunch. Nagtulungan kami with drag queens to create a new brunch experience for people.”
When asked about what their fantasy drag brunch would be like, both Demeterio and So share their love for Spice Girls. “Ever since talaga fan na 'ko ng Spice Girls,” So shares. “‘Di pa 'ko out no'n sa parents ko, pero Spice Girls fan na talaga ako. So for me, to have the chance to do a production of Spice Girls is baby boy Jayson’s dream come true.”
But the lineup of queens even in their fantasy drag brunch would be the same. “Si Naia, si Eva Le Queen, 'yong usual queens namin, gusto ko talaga sila,” says So. “Nakikita ko kung paano sila mag-work. Very professional, sobrang passionate sa craft nila.”
While their fantasy drag brunch remains a dream, the Butterboy team will continue to host their own Drag Brunches for the rest of July, and hopefully for the rest of the year, too. “Tuloy tuloy lang ang Drag Brunch,” says Demeterio. “Just like how we reinvent croissants, we also want to reinvent the brunch experience, and inject queer joy into it with drag queens, drag kings, and more queer talent.”
The drag brunch is a seasonal event that you can catch on the next Saturdays of July, and on selected dates after. Should you want to catch their next episodes, definitely give Butterboy a follow on Facebook and/or Instagram for announcements and updates.
For reservations and inquiries on the Drag Brunch, check out Butterboy's Facebook page.
Photos by Criselda Carreon
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