These Are All of the LGUs That Have Declared Drag Queen Pura Luka Vega Persona Non Grata

(SPOT.ph) The council of General Santos City might have been the first to declare Pura Luka Vega persona non grata for their controversial “Ama Namin” performance in a Black Nazarene-inspired costume, but they are not the last. Several other cities and municipalities continue to follow suit—now at fifteen and counting.

The drag queen, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, has deeply offended religious leaders and the local government to the point where they felt that a formal resolution was necessary to express "dismay and disappointment" at Vega's behavior.

Throughout all of this, Vega has stood by their drag performance as "art."

“Tell me EXACTLY what I did wrong. I’m open for a dialogue and yet cities have been declaring persona non grata without even knowing me or understanding the intent of the performance. Drag is art. You judge me yet you don’t even know me," Vega tweeted on August 10, after news that the Manila City council released its persona non grata declaration. 

The following LGUs have declared Pura Luka Vega persona non grata:

1. General Santos City – July 18 – Councilor Vandyke Congson

2. Floridablanca, Pampanga – July 25 – Vice Mayor Michael L. Galang

3. Toboso, Negros Occidental – August 2 – Councilor Richard Jaojoco

4. City of Manila – August 8 – Councilor Ricardo “Boy” Isip

5. Dinagat Islands – August 8 – Honorable Reggivi Amor Alcaria

6. Bukidnon – August 8 – Vice Governor Clive Quiño

7. Nueva Ecija – August 11 – Councilor Jojo Matias

8. Cagayan de Oro – August 14 – Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya

9. Laguna – August 14 – Councilor Christian Niño Lajara

10. Cebu – August 17 – Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr.

11. Occidental Mindoro – August 17 – Vice Governor Anecita Apigo-Tayag

12. Bohol – August 22 – Vice Governor Dionisio Balite

13. Lucena City – August 22 – Councilor Benito Brizuela Jr.

14. Mandaue City – August 22 – Councilor Malcolm Sanchez

15. Palawan – August 29 – Board Member Winston Arzaga

Aside from the multiple persona non grata declarations, Pura Luka Vega is also being sued by Catholic church leaders under Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM).

Also read: Drag Queen Pura Luka Vega Is Facing Charges for ”Ama Namin” Performance

What is persona non grata?

"Persona non grata" translates to "an unwelcome person" in English.

It is a formal declaration from local authorities that an individual is unwelcome within a specified jurisdiction for doing something that is considered harmful, disruptive, or contrary to the values of the community. In Pura Luka Vega's case, it's for mocking the Catholic faith.

In 2020, former Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano (now National Security Adviser) provided a legal viewpoint on persona non grata, saying that this practice of releasing resolutions is essentially a "statement of feelings or views by a legislative entity on a particular issue." It's different from an ordinance, which is a law. 

This means that Vega will still be granted the freedom of speech and expression and freedom to travel in these places, albeit knowing that they are unwelcome.

Persona non grata originates as a diplomatic term in the UN's Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. When someone is labeled as persona non grata, it signifies they are not welcomed by the host nation, which could see them being asked to return to their homeland. 

Also read: Yassified Worship? Here's What Religious Leaders Think About the "Ama Namin" Drag Act

Who is Pura Luka Vega?

Drag artist Pura Luka Vega's birth-certificate-official name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente. They first came into the spotlight as a one of eight Drag Den contestants for the first season in 2022. Contestant Naia won Drag Supreme during that run of the show, while Pura Luka Vega was given the Miss Fortune Award or Ranked Last But Still Served. 

Pura Luka Vega is best known for sporting their trademark beard. They didn't have it back when they joined their first drag competition, at Nectar Nightclub Drag Cartel in October 2017, but "the beard came later when people [imposed] their idea of what drag is and what it should be. And I'm like..." they told Preview.

"Perhaps the easiest way to describe me is non-binary. I suppose I would describe myself as gender nonconforming or gender apathetic as I really don't connect to any gender label," they said, adding that they don't see their drag persona as having just one gender, either.

UPDATED (August 17, 2023): This article has been updated to add Nueva Ecija, Cebu, Occidental Mindoro, and Dinagat Islands to the list.

UPDATED (August 23, 2023): This article has been updated to add Bohol, Lucena City, and Mandaue City to the list.