The Philippines' next Drag Superstar has just been crowned, and she's the 24-year-old Maxie Andreison,
With a stellar cast in the competition, fans were glued to their screens, eagerly absorbing each new episode as it dropped and already buzzing with excitement for the next season.
Among the standout performers in Drag Race Philippines Season 3, Maxie quickly set herself apart, proving to viewers that she was the one to watch and the contestant to beat.
Her consistent brilliance throughout the show left little doubt that the crown was hers for the taking.
In celebration of her flawless victory, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) looks back at the key moments of Maxie's life and career, just days ahead of her 25th birthday.
Read: Drag Race Philippines's most controversial and trending episodes
THEN
Out of drag, Maxie is known as Jayvhot Andreison Galang and uses the pronouns he/him.
She amusingly shared that "Andreison" wasn't originally her name, but the priest at her baptism insisted on adding a second name to "Jayvhot" before proceeding with the ceremony.
From an early age, Maxie already knew that she wasn't straight.
A memorable moment in her journey was when her gay uncle discovered her trying on women's underwear in the restroom. Instead of reacting negatively, he immediately informed her father about it.
She recalled his approach, saying, "Kala naman niya [uncle], bubugbugin ako. Wala lang, nonchalant lang yung tatay ko."
This incident highlighted the positive and accepting atmosphere her family provided, reinforcing the significant role of her parents' unconditional support for her gender identity and sexual orientation in shaping her path to success.
Wowowee stint
As a young boy, Jayvhot dreamt big, with aspirations that went beyond the ordinary.
He made his television debut on the now-defunct Kapamilya variety show Wowowee, instantly captivating audiences with his lively personality.
During the "Wiltime Bigtime" segment, Jayvhot introduced himself as a "13-year-old stunner from 2376 Oro B St., Sta. Ana, Manila."
When asked by host Willie Revillame about his favorite singers, he excitedly listed Charice Pempengco, Regine Velasquez, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Jennifer Hudson.
Displaying his quick wit, Jayvhot remarked that he had known he was a girl-at-heart since he was in his mother's womb.
This lightheartedness endeared him to the crowd, but the emotional highlight came when the camera panned to his father in the audience.
When asked to share a message for his son, he proudly said, "Masarap ang pakiramdam bilang isang ama na magkaroon ng isang anak na talented."
His father reminisced about realizing Jayvhot's identity during his school days: "Noong maliit pa lang po siya, naramdaman ko na po iyan nung kumakanta po siya sa eskuwelahan nila. Kung ano siya, talagang siya. Mahal ko po iyan."
He continued with heartfelt words, "Anak, ang masasabi ko lang, unang-una nagpapasalamat ako sa iyo at nadala mo ako rito. Sinuwerteng matanggap dito. At pangalawa, sana mag-aral kang maigi."
His father reassured him of his love, saying, "Alam mo man na bakla ka, bakla ka man o hindi, mahal pa rin kita. At pangalawa, anak, tinatawag ka nilang isang bakla, sa akin, isa kang dakila.
"Ganyan kita kamahal, anak. I love you, nak. Mag-aral kang maigi."
In a powerful moment of determination, the teenage dreamer responded, "Pa, kahit bakla po ako, papatunayan ko po sa inyong lahat, sa buong mundo, na itong baklang ito ang magpapasikat ng buong Pilipinas, hindi lang po dito, hanggang sa buong bansa po.
"ipapakita ko po sa inyong lahat na ang talento ko pong to ay hindi lang po pang-Pilipinas, pang-international pa po."
Jayvhot exhibited his incredible talent by belting out "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Holliday and "Habang May Buhay" by After Image, earning a standing ovation from the audience.
Before the live viewing party for the Drag Race Philippines Season 3 finale on October 9, 2024, Maxie recorded a vlog where she watched a clip from her Wowowee appearance, reflecting on how deeply nostalgic the moment felt for her.
Maxie the Musicale and the Birth of Her Drag Persona
In 2013, Jayvhot embraced his passion for performance by taking on the lead role in the musical adaptation of the 2005 Filipino coming-of-age film Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, reimagined as Maxie the Musicale.
The character of Maximo, a young gay boy growing up in a challenging Manila neighborhood, mirrored many of Jayvhot's own life experiences as a proud Manileña herself.
Her portrayal earned praise for its emotional depth and authenticity, and it was during this time that she adopted her drag name, Maxie Andreison.
She starred alongside Filipino actor Jojo Riguerra, sharing the spotlight in a celebrated performance.
On this milestone, Jayvhot expressed her gratitude in an Instagram post dated September 7, 2014, saying, "Isang malaking karangalan sa akin na maging bahagi ng isang malaking prodaksyon.
"Salamat sa lahat ng nanood , sumuporta at naniwala sa amin ni kuya @jojoriguerra . Sana maulit ito! Salamat at nakasama ko na ang mga magagaling na actor ng pilipinas. Ituuu na yun! Wala nang mas aangat pa sa pakiramdam ko ngayon."
Read: Maxie the Musicale has the "same spirit" as original movie Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros
Beyond her role as a singer and internet personality, Jayvhot expanded her horizons in the entertainment industry, exploring opportunities beyond theater.
She made appearances in several TV5 shows, including Trinderas (2014), Almost A Cinderella Story (2014), I'm In Love With a Dota Player (2015), and #ParangNormal Activity (2015).
Additionally, she participated in an episode of Magpakailanman, titled Rehas ng Pag-ibig, which also starred Jennylyn Mercado and Chariz Solomon.
Her filmography includes notable projects, such as Saranghaeyo #ewankosau (2015), starring alongside Barbie Forteza; Trip Ubusan: The Lolas vs. Zombies (2017) with KalyeSerye's Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, and Paolo Ballesteros; Sinandomeng (2017).
LGBTQIA+ community advocate
Maxie is not just a performer but also a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2015, she launched her YouTube series Bekitaktakan, which tackled a wide array of issues affecting the community.
While the series is best known for an episode on HIV awareness, where Maxie discussed the importance of safe sex practices and regular testing, it covered much more.
Topics ranged from gender identity and self-acceptance to the struggles of coming out, and even societal misconceptions about the LGBTQ+ community.
She used her platform to engage with viewers, offering practical advice and sharing her personal experiences.
Her HIV-focused episode, in particular, stood out for its timeliness, tackling the need for education and destigmatization.
LOL Drag Queendom
Before Drag Race Philippines, Maxie was already well-known in the local drag circuit, starting her drag artistry from the age of 11 thanks to her uncle, who is also part of the community.
Although it wasn't until her participation in LOL Drag Queendom—her first televised competition—that further cemented her reputation, even if she didn't walk away with the crown.
Competing alongside her drag mothers Precious Paula Nicole and Captivating Katkat—who would go on to become Drag Race Philippines winners themselves in their respective seasons—Maxie's time in LOL Drag Queendom was an invaluable learning experience that pushed her to perfect her craft.
Her resilience and hunger to improve were key driving forces behind her growth. The loss didn't break her spirit. If anything, it only fueled her desire to come back stronger, which she did when she entered two more major competitions.
She wrote of her experience (published as is): "Sobrang overwhelmed ako sa mga messages nyo maraming salamat sa inyong lahat .
"Sa mga sisters ko at mga mama ko na kasama ka sa lol drag queendom masayng masaya ako at nakakapagperform ulit tayo sa stage at malaki pa rin ang respeto ko sa inyo . Kalaban ko man kayo sa kompetisyon kayo parin ang mga idols ko ."
Queen of the Universe Season 2
Two years later, Maxie represented the country in the second season of the first all-drag, all-singing international competition, Queen of the Universe, filmed in London.
Impressing the panel of judges episode after episode with her vocal prowess and captivating charisma, Maxie quickly emerged as the queen to watch for.
Her performances showcased not only her incredible talent, but also her unique ability to connect with the audience, making each rendition memorable.
Unfortunately, in episode 6, she was held back due to a physical ailment and was ultimately advised not to continue her journey in the competition.
Maxie became the first and only contestant in Queen of the Universe history to depart for medical reasons.
Disappointed yet resilient, she shared her feelings, saying, "I felt like something in my body's strangely happening. I need to go to see a doctor. It's a tough day. I didn't want to see the hospital. I didn't choose to be sick.
"I want to perform tonight because I don't want to be eliminated. It's not fair for me to just be gone, and I don't want to end my journey here because of my health condition."
Regardless of the circumstances, the entire Queen of the Universe Season 2 team was supportive and understanding of Maxie's situation.
NOW
With a thriving career in the drag and music scene, Maxie has earned herself the title of "Asia's Drag Singing Superstar."
Aside from being known to give a Beyoncé-esque performance each time she's on the stage, she also gained recognition for her striking resemblance to popular vlogger and content creator Zeinab Harake.
This connection came to life during one of Maxie's shows at Rampa Club, where she and Zeinab danced a sultry number to Rihanna's "S&M."
Her heavyweight status propelled her to be among the fans' most anticipated contenders in the third season of the local edition of RuPaul's Drag Race, where she triumphed against ten other fierce queens, including her biological sister and proud trans Pinay, Angel Galang.
Maxie wins Drag Race Philippines Season 3
Maxie's track record in Drag Race Philippines Season 3 was nothing short of exemplary, three maxi challenges that perfectly displayed her versatility and strengths.
In episode 3, "Dapat Pakak," Maxie dominated the performance-based dance challenge, earning her first Ru Badge—a symbol of her victory for that episode.
As the eldest of six children, Maxie embraced her "Gangsta sa Manila, Kuya sa pamilya" persona, weaving it seamlessly into the girl-group challenge.
Her hosting skills were put to the test in episode 4’s "Pao Presents Plus," where she demonstrated her natural charisma—a result of years of experience hosting her own YouTube series.
Episode 7, "Super Queens," saw Maxie pair up with her father for a dynamic superhero challenge, transforming into Universa and Celestia.
Her dad, in drag for the first time, embodied a celestial goddess, and their touching performance mirrored a moment they shared on Wowowee 12 years earlier.
For the season finale's Lip Sync for the Crown moment, Maxie faced off against fellow powerhouse Khianna with a K—a queen from Cagayan de Oro City.
Both queens had identified each other as their biggest competition, and their final showdown delivered a spectacular end to the season.
Host Paolo Ballesteros even declared the series as “the best drag race franchise in the world.”
Ultimately, Maxie claimed the crown, delivering a moving victory speech: "Bata palang ako, lagi na ako sumasali sa mga contest. Siyempre, may mga ups and downs, minsan natatalo tayo, minsan nananalo tayo.
"Pero, ang gusto kong sabihin sa inyong lahat, na wag na wag kayong mapapagod na ipaglaban ang mga pangarap niyo dahil balang araw makakamtan niyo iyan kagaya ng nangyari sa akin ngayon.
"Maraming maraming salamat sa mga magulang ko dahil pinalaki akong ganito. Hindi man akong perpektong anak, pero ginagawa ko po yung best ko para magkaroon tayo ng magandang buhay.
"And yung korona na ito hindi lang ito sa akin, pangako ko sister [Angel], kung anong maa-achieve ko pagkatapos nito, ishe-share ko sa iyo.
"And sa mga bata, sa mga young generation, sa lahat ng mga drag queens na gustong mag-show, tutulungan ko kayo pangako iyan, dahil ang entablado ay para sa ating lahat."
At the live viewing party held on the finale last October 9, Maxie once more dedicated her victory to her loved ones: "This whole journey is not just for me, this is for my family.
"This is for the future drag, sa mga taong na-inspire ko, sa mga taong naniwala sa akin, sa mga taong sumusuporta sa akin. I will promise you that I will be a better queen and marami akong mga taong maiinspire."
She clinched the crown nearly a week before her 25th birthday on October 15, 2024.
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