“RAMPA is a club that I’ve had in mind even before pandemic. I wanted to give the LGBTQIA+ a safe space where they can celebrate, where they can be themselves, where they are celebrated themselves. Minsan kasi, being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, sometimes I feel I’m a minority sa isang lugar, sa isang event, isang location. Gusto kong bigyan ng lugar kung saan sila ang bida, kapag nandoon ka ikaw ang star.”
It’s not always you get to see or hear prominent names especially business people or entrepreneurs find the time and resources to have the LGBTQIA+ community a platform. And not just any platform, but also a place of work, a place for expressing themselves and a place of being themselves. Actor, producer and entrepreneur RS Francisco, as a way of giving back to a community that has embraced his talents and business through the years, shares having a drag club is a dream come true.
“Whatever it is you perceive to be, sa Rampa wala ‘yun,” RS shares.
More than the drinks, more than the shows, a place that not only accepts but also hones and supports talents, RAMPA rises as a sanctuary of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Located at 40 Eugenio Lopez Jr. Dr, Diliman, Quezon City. RAMPA features performances from Drag Race Season 1 Queens, the Divine Divas composed of Season 1’s champion Precious Paula Nicole, Ang Pambansang Bunganga Vinas Deluxe and the Mother of House of Ding, Brigiding. The drag club also features rising drag artists like host Salmo Nella, performers Katana, Budalyn, Neenja, Bomba Ding, Zymba Ding, Poca and more.
“We make sure na we do the unconventional, we go against the norm just like what I do in Frontrow, in-apply ko rin sa Rampa na ayokong magmukhang generic. Kapag sinasabihan ako na ganito ang uso, ‘yun ang hindi namin gagawin. Gagawa kami ng ibang ikababaliw ng tao. Like, imagine unexpected, pumunta lang ang mga tao to party habang kumakanta ng ‘Salamin, Salamin’ ‘yung mga queens namin, lumabas ang BINI. Hindi in-expect ng mga tao ‘yun. Imagine ‘yung kilabot nung mga fans na nadoon,” RS on what he wants Rampa to be and the appearance of today’s hottest P-Pop girl group BINI.
But what is the goal of the newest Drag Club in Quezon City?
“Ang main objective ko for Rampa is kahit sino ka pa, whether straight, LGBT or ally, masasabi mo na, “Ang saya naman sa Rampa. Parang family reunion lang, magkakakilala lahat, walang nagpapataasan ng ihi, walang nagpapatutsadahan, walang nagtatarayan, lahat welcome, lahat invited, lahat may ngiti sa mukha,” RS answers.
I, myself have experienced Rampa. The performances were top-notch, the energy of the performers and the audience are high. It delivers more than what you expect from a drag club for a night to remember.