RS Francisco and Rampa Club, His New Home for Drag Artists

RS Francisco was pretty straightforward when asked about the conception of Rampa Club: “It all started with a dream. Parati kong sinasabi na maraming LGBT dito sa area natin sa may Quezon City na pumupunta pa sa malayong lugar, pumupunta pa sa kung saan-saang lupalop para maghanap ng isang safe na place para icelebrate yung kanilang sexuality, yung kanilang dreams, yung kanilang principles, lahat.”

The swanky new venue for drag artists will be have its soft opening on January 17, 2023. It’s located at #40 Eugenio Lopez Drive, Diliman, Quezon City. RS has partnered with multi-awarded celebrity businesswoman Cecille Bravo of Intele Builders, who RS jestingly referred to as “babaeng bakla pero babae talaga.”

Other Rampa Club business partners include Karma Lounge (where the media launch was held) managing partner Loui Gene Cabel, The Divine Divas (Precious Paula Nicole, Viñas De Luxe, Brigiding), and artist couple Ice Seguerra and Liza Diño.

RS shared how he was pleasantly surprised that drag is now seen as an art form, and that appreciation encompasses all genders, even straight men and women. He got the idea of naming the club Rampa because last year, he produced the song of Sinon Loresca titled Hala Rampa. ”Ang plano ko po sana before, ang pangalan niya was Castro. Kaso inisip ko baka sabihin ng iba, Noli de Castro ba yan? Fidel Castro (dating presidente ng Cuba) ba yan? Kaya sabi ko, alam ko na, para ma-gets ng tao, mas kuha ng lahat, Rampa na lang,” he said.

The media launch ended with a performance of new drag artists mentored by The Divine Divas. A standout performance was by Jamel Ordaveza aka Gem, who was scary and limber, even climbing up the tables and hanging from the ceiling.

The three clarified that even though they will be more visible at Rampa Club as part owners, the drag artists don’t have an exclusive contract and can still perform with other venues if they wish to.

The grand opening of Rampa Club will be on February 10.