Precious Paula Nicole Stars in Award-Winning Filipino Short Film at CinePride Festival

MANILA, Philippines — Precious Paula Nicole, winner of Drag Race Philippines Season 1, has again captured attention with her leading role in the short film Lip Sync Assassin. Directed by Jan Galvez, the film premiered at the inaugural CinePride Festival in Los Angeles, an event dedicated to showcasing LGBTQIA+ narratives from around the world.

Lip Sync Assassin follows Sampaguita, a drag performer who doubles as a hired assassin to financially support her daughter, ailing mother, and her drag family. The film distinguished itself as the Philippines’ sole entry among over 30 international productions, earning Galvez the Best Director award and Precious the Best Performance in a Leading Role accolade.

Galvez explained that Sampaguita’s story is inspired by the collective hardships of Filipino breadwinners, including his personal experience. He emphasized how systemic corruption forces many to adopt desperate measures to provide for their families. "We need to hustle, you know, because society is so corrupt. It’s just sad that people like me still have to fly to another country to support our family," Galvez said.

The director also aimed to highlight the often unseen struggles of entertainers and comedians, whose performances mask their personal challenges. Sampaguita embodies this duality as both a compassionate provider and a ruthless killer, illustrating the lengths individuals must sometimes go under oppressive social conditions. Galvez remarked, "That’s the story of Sampaguita but of course, it’s very fictionalized. I wanted to showcase drag excellence and artistry in a creative way."

Precious was Galvez’s deliberate choice for the lead role due to her exceptional talent and authentic connection to the character’s narrative. "Beyond Precious’ flawless skills, it is her kindness, passion, and love for her family that made her perfect for Sampaguita," the director shared. Precious echoed this sentiment, relating closely to her character’s circumstances, especially the challenges of caring for an ill mother.

Despite the short film’s limited runtime leaving some of Sampaguita’s motivations unexplored, Precious emphasized the importance of viewers understanding why the character resorts to difficult decisions, aiming to raise awareness of unseen struggles.

Precious’ accomplishment marks a milestone as the first Filipino drag queen to receive international film recognition, showcasing Filipino artistry on a global stage. "This proves that nothing is impossible. If you work hard, give your best, and pour your heart into your craft, recognition will come," she said.

Beyond personal success, Precious hopes her achievement inspires other drag artists to explore new avenues beyond traditional performances. She said, "Who would’ve thought a drag artist could win an award abroad? I want to show other queens that there’s more we can achieve."

Lip Sync Assassin, following its success at CinePride 2025, is now part of the Sinag Maynila Film Festival with screenings scheduled across multiple venues in Metro Manila from September 24 to 30. Precious expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Filipino drag culture on an international platform and for the wider message the film delivers about resilience and change.