Meet the D’ Divalettes of ‘Delia D. Musical’

Meet the D’ Divalettes of ‘Delia D. Musical’ | Daily Tribune

Six drag performers lace up their stilettos, swish their wigs to take center stage in Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo.

As the curtains rise, so do the personal journeys of these six queer artists who share powerful stories of self-discovery, survival and sheer love for the craft.

Chesko Rodriguez, an actor with a rich history in theater, TV and film, brings the fierce character of Wanda Woman to life. Returning to the Newport Performing Arts Theater after a memorable turn in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2018, Rodriguez is excited to join a musical centered on a drag queen.

Rodriguez, whose credits include drag-centered shows Priscilla and La Cage Aux Folles, sees Delia D. Musical as a thrilling full-circle moment.

Vince Denzel Sarra, better known in the drag scene as Bomba Ding, is making his theater debut as Sasha Granada.

A proud member of the House of Ding and drag daughter to Drag Race Philippines queen Brigiding, Sarra’s journey into musical theater blends his background in jazz, folk, and voguing. Usually seen lip-syncing on club stages, Delia D. pushes Sarra into live singing.

Almond Bolante steps into the role of Minelomi Sings with a sense of fulfillment, as performing in NPAT has long been a dream. A pop counter-tenor with the internationally renowned acapella group Acapellago, Bolante has a diverse background including theater credits in Pingkian and Zsazsa Zaturnnah.

Beyond the glitter and glamour, Balonte sees Delia D. Musical as a platform for giving voice to drag queens’ lived experiences, which are as powerful as his performances.

Under the bright stage lights, Aira Jay Igarta becomes the vivacious character of Aurrah Verde. With a Theater Arts degree from UP Diliman and training under dance legend Tony Fabella, Igarta was immediately drawn to Delia D. Musical.

For Igarta, having a strong sisterhood is crucial among the D’ Divalettes to be able to perform their best.

Sebastian Katigbak is ready to flood the stage as Sue Tsunami, bringing both talent and authenticity to the role. With formal training in performing arts from MINT College and a deep-rooted connection to Manila’s Ballroom and club scene as Lakan Mizrahi of the Iconic House of Mizrahi, Katigbak is poised for his next big leap into musical theater.

For Franco Ramos, stepping into the heels of Cardi O. is a homecoming of sorts. A veteran of the theater scene, Ramos has taken on a wide range of roles, but none quite as personal as this one.

While drag is notoriously challenging, Ramos embraces the constraints of tight corsets and towering heels. For him, the real magic happens when he transforms into Cardi O. Though he has dabbled in drag previously, performing as one has always been a dream.

Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo runs until 8 June at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are available at SM Tickets, TicketWorld, HelixPay, and Newport World Resorts Box Office: P3,500 (SVIP), P3,000 (VIP), P2,500 (Gold), P1,800 (Silver), and P1,000 (Bronze). For inquiries, contact Customer Care at 7908-8888 or 0917-872-8237 or email info@fhtcentertainment.com. For bulk purchases and show buyers, reach out to the Newport World Resorts National Sales Team via James Rodriguez at 0917-829-2173 or Jan Paulo San Jose at 0917-810-5031.