Who is Pura Luka Vega, and how did he attract the attention of the Roman Catholic Church? Amadeus Fernando Pagente, popularly known as Pura Luka Vega, is a Filipino queer artist and former Drag Den contestant who began his journey by cosplaying as ‘Joker’ before transitioning to the controversial portrayal of ‘Jesus Christ,’ which garnered significant attention when he performed the Ama Namin Remix (a remix of the Lord’s Prayer).
According to a study conducted by Capstone-Intel, the viral video gained traction primarily through Facebook (29.3%), followed by videos (23.8%), news articles (19.7%), X (formerly Twitter) (17.8%), TikTok (4.1%), forums (1.5%), the web (1.3%), and podcasts (0.5%).
Pura Luka Vega, dancing in Jesus-like attire and makeup while energizing his audience, stirred strong reactions, particularly from lawmakers and common citizens who viewed the video. Capstone-Intel’s sentiment analysis revealed that 78.8% of the population perceived his performance as deeply disrespectful, while the remaining 21.2% viewed it as merely a drag performance—an art form and mode of self-expression. Negative sentiments predominated in news sources such as Inquirer.net (44.7%), Rappler (18.3%), and the Philippine Star (4.2%), whereas positive responses were found on TikTok (57.2%), YouTube (9.9%), and Twitter (4.3%).
Before this incident, netizens recalled Pura’s previous controversial content, including a review of the sacramental bread known as “Ostya review,” in which he critiqued the bread’s appearance, crispiness, and taste while wearing Jesus-like makeup, props, and clothing. Capstone-Intel reported that this review received 100% negative reactions on social media platforms, given the perceived disrespect toward a sacred item.
In response to these actions, Vice Mayor Michael Galang of Floridablanca and the governing body of General Santos City declared Pura persona non-grata, barring him from entering specific areas. Additionally, Pura was arrested by Manila police on October 4, 2023, for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code related to the dissemination of obscene materials. However, he was released on bail, funded by donations from friends and supporters.
Pura Luka Vega issued an apology to anyone offended by his performance, expressing his desire to heal those who marginalized him and the LGBTQ+ community within the Catholic community. He emphasized that this experience would not deter him from continuing his artistic career or expressing his views and faith.
While drag is a unique art form and mode of self-expression, it should not be used to harm or disrespect others’ lives, religions, beliefs, cultures, or faiths. Respect should be mutual, earned, and given. If members of the LGBTQ+ community feel excluded by some in the Catholic community, they should demonstrate respect and resilience rather than retaliating with disrespect. This event serves as a reminder for everyone to empathize with others and strive for mutual respect, regardless of differences in beliefs or backgrounds.