MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Filipino drag artist Pura Luka Vega or Amadeus Fernando Pagente was declared persona non grata in the City of Manila on Wednesday, August 9.

The declaration is in response to the video where Pagente performed an Ama Namin (Lord’s Prayer) remix to a cheering crowd at a local bar while wearing a Black Nazarene-inspired costume.

Manila is the fourth local government to declare the drag artist persona non grata, after General Santos City in South Cotabato, Floridablanca in Pampanga, and Toboso in Negros Occidental.

But truth be told, these declarations are merely symbolic and non-binding. They do no deprive the person of the constitutional right of free movement. (Article III, Section 6 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees the liberty of travel, which shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.)

In other words, these declarations are a waste of paper and official time of the local legislators.

Besides, who would recognize Pagente if he went drag as a nun or as a bishop? As a drag artist, he could camouflage himself anyway he wants and no one would recognize him.