Have you ever manifested something in your life so strongly that it came true? That’s exactly what happened to Maxie Andreison, the Philippines’ bet to the second season of the international all-drag, all-singing competition Queen of the Universe.

It all started in 2011 when the 13-year-old Maxie — then known as Jayvhot Galang — stole the hearts of Filipinos when she showcased her amazing vocals on the noontime television program Wil Time Big Time. Before that, she had been very active in joining amateur singing contests.

“Kahit bakla po ako, papatunayan ko po sa inyong lahat, sa buong mundo, na itong baklang ‘to ang magpapasikat ng buong Pilipinas, hindi lang po dito… Ipapakita ko po sa inyong lahat na ang talento ko pong ito, hindi lang po pang-Pilipinas, pang-international pa po (Even if I’m gay, I will prove to everyone that this gay will make the Philippines famous… I will show everyone that my talent is not only for the Philippines, but for an international stage),” Maxie manifested on live television.

That TV appearance went viral and opened a lot of doors for Maxie. She was invited to several gigs, even to the point where she went to 12 different events in one day.

Eventually, she was cast as the lead actor in ‘Maxie The Musical’, a play based on the 2005 breakout independent film ‘Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.’ In an exclusive sitdown interview with SubSelfie.com, Maxie shared how her viral video led to that first huge break in 2013.

“Pinuntahan po ako ng producer po mismo ng Maxie The Musical sa bahay namin, because sinabi ko doon sa interview ko sa Wil Time Big Time ‘yung full address ko.” (The producer of Maxie The Musical personally went to our house because I revealed our full home address in my interview with Wil Time Big Time.)

It wasn’t all rainbows, butterflies, and unicorns for Maxie, though. She sacrificed her education and took her first job as a drag queen at a gay bar in Baclaran to help her family make ends meet. 

“Kumakain kami na ang ulam namin chichirya. Ayun ang pinakamahirap na part ng buhay ko na ayoko nang mangyari ulit. Kaya ako nagtatrabaho nang malala, kahit anong hirap kailangang pagdaanan ko.” (We used to eat rice with chips. That was the hardest part of our lives that I didn’t want to happen again, and why I worked very hard no matter how difficult it was.)

What kept Maxie going was her family. She describes them as the foundation of her heart and her inspiration.

Maxie’s strong bond with her family was noticeable during her first TV appearance when her father publicly expressed his pride for his gay son.

“Para sa tatay ko, ang lagi niyang dahilan, tinanggap kita bilang bakla ka. At kailangang makita ng mga tao na kaya ka matapang dahil suportado ka namin. Nakikita niyo naman sa personalidad ko na matapang ako dahil sa tatay ko at sa nanay ko and I’m very very thankful na meron akong parents na ganun (My father would always say how he accepts me as gay. And he said people should see that I am brave because I have their back. I have a strong personality because of my father and mother, and I am very thankful to have parents like them),” Maxie explained.

The support of her family introduced Maxie to the world of drag. It was her transwoman aunt who helped her join and win a “gaya-gaya” (impersonation) singing contest. That’s how she realized and manifested the career she wanted.

“I’m lovin’ it. I feel like I’m a pop star, I’m a diva. I feel like I’m Donna Summer or Beyonce. Kapag hindi ako nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral, parang alam ko na ‘yung gagawin ko. (If I don’t finish my studies, I think I know what I will do.) And it happened.”

In 2018, Jayvhot Galang finally embraced the world of drag — and Maxie Andreison was born.

While performing as a drag queen in gay bars, Maxie had been actively searching for opportunities to showcase her talent. She auditioned for the first season of Queen of the Universe, but she couldn’t participate because of COVID restrictions. When the show announced auditions for a second season, she again submitted her audition tape.

“Ito na ‘yun, hindi ko na palalampasin. Kahit anong aberya man iyan, akin na ‘to (This is it, I will not let this pass. No matter what obstacle, this is mine),” Maxie manifested, yet again. 

And indeed, it became hers. Maxie flew to the United Kingdom for the production of the show.

“I was born to compete and to win. I’m ready. Bring me my crown,” Maxie exclaimed during her introduction in the show. And as show judge Michelle Visage proclaimed, “She is a pop star!”

But even that wasn’t a walk down the road. She had to take a diet, physical training to improve her stamina and vocal coaching sessions. She also struggled financially with her outfits in the show. Thankfully, her drag sisters lent her their helping hands.

Maxie believes her Queen of the Universe stint is very important to the Filipino drag community, whose visibility is very limited and the opportunities are scarce.

“Manalo, matalo, I’m very very proud of my performance and my experience. I’m very very proud that I’m one of the queens who represented the Philippines. I’m very very proud na napapakita na namin sa mundo kung gaano kami kagaling, at proud akong sabihin ‘yun, kung gaano kami kaganda, and kung gaano katalino ang mga Pilipino.” (Win or lose, I’m very proud of my performance and my experience. I’m very proud that I’m one of the queens who represented the Philippines. I’m very proud that we are now showing the world how Filipino drag queens are talented, beautiful, and smart.)

Her participation in the drag singing competition coincides with Pride Month, a celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride. And this time around, she’s manifesting something not only for herself but for her community.

“Sana magmahalan na tayong lahat, sana wala nang diskriminasyon… sana mapasa na ‘yung SOGIE bill…. Kailangan na nating magkaroon ng karapatan para ma-lessen na iyon at managot ang mga gumagawa ng masasama.” (I wish we just love. I wish there’s no more discrimination. I wish the SOGIE bill is finally passed into law… We really need to have rights to punish those who do wrong against the LGBT community.)

The power of manifesting does not lie in one’s aspirations coming true. What is more important is its ability to empower a person to become the very best version of themself. For Maxie, that is more than enough.

About the Author:

JM Nualla is the Managing Editor of SubSelfie.com. He is the Head of News and Public Relations of Outsource Accelerator. Before his new stint, he was a longtime Senior News Producer at CNN Philippines, and a Segment Producer for the GMA News Special Assignments Team, and a Senior Producer/Online Content Manager for Claire Delfin Media. Broadcast Communication 2009, PUP Manila. MA Journalism 2014, Ateneo de Manila.

Read more of his articles here.