The bearer of great vibes gets her sparkle on.
Patrick Isorena, the designer of many incredible looks worn by beauty queens and drag artists worldwide, gave the name Barbie-Q, because of Omiko’s (her name) Barbie obsession. The Q is for queen and, when combined, gives it a Pinoy twist as everyone’s favorite grilled pork skewer.
She started as a member of a dance group comprised of all transgender women. When it didn’t work out, and they had to go their separate ways, she found drag by way of her drag mother, Mama Jimbee Barrameda. This brought her to many places. She eventually established a home at One 690 Entertainment Bar in Quezon City, where she works as a performer, choreographer, and sometimes director of shows.
As an avid collector of anything Barbie and Sailor Moon, her drag gives off the same vibe: a cute-anime fantasy with strong vixen inclinations. Although she confesses that it is only through drag that she’s able to express that sexy side of her, “Kapag hindi ako naka-drag, sobrang balot na balot ang suot ko.”
Drag is an amplified version of self. Sometimes it surprises an individual and unearths traits that normally wouldn’t manifest outside that experience. “Funny pala ako. Mapapanood niyo sa Drag Den na totoo sinasabi nilang baliw ako,” she says.
“Sobrang saya ko kasi marami akong natutulungan dahil sa kinikita ko,” she says about how her drag journey has been so far. “Mas marami akong natutulungang homeless people, stray dogs and cats.” She mentions that she wants to inspire people to help those in need and be a voice for the voiceless. A true queen indeed. We bow to thee.
Drag Den premieres on December 8, 2022 via Prime Video.
