Unmasking the lolas: Production and signification of drag in Eat Bulaga's kalye serye

• Main Author: Cao, Ruepert Jiel D.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2017
• Subjects: Drag shows > Philippines; Comedy; Television programs > Philippines; Television series > Philippines; Filipinos; Eat Bulaga
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/5293
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study investigates the process constructing meaning behind drag performances in Philippine television. A drag performance is the act of crossdressing and cross gender acting to entertain. This is very evident but an understudied practice in Philippine media where famous comedians have performed drag on television at one point in their career (e.g. Wally Bayola as Lola Nidora, Michael V in his various female roles). To study how drag characters are constructed and invested with meaning, I interview production people involved on the subject, do a semiotic analysis of selected episodes of Kalye Serye, and conduct a content analysis of the script. I also analyzed published interviews with Wally Bayola and the Head Writer of Kalye Serye, Jenny Ferre. Using social semiotic analysis posited in social semiotics theory, this study argues that drag is used to capitalize on Eat Bulagas best comedians. However, the use of drag in Kalye Serye also challenges our understanding of drag, as drag becomes a tool to repackage actors who have a history of sexual or marital misconducts to effectively preach about morality and values.