This review may contain spoilers
Absolutely Legendary Camp
**Review Title:** Absolutely Legendary Camp: A Hilarious Throwback with Real Heart
I managed to catch Drags to Riches on its premiere night on 23 June 2026, and honestly, it was an absolute ripper of an evening. The cinema was completely packed and bursting with non-stop laughter from the opening credits right through to the end. But what really blew me away was that underneath all the glorious, chaotic madness, this film has a massive amount of genuine heart. It is not just mindlessly chasing a string of jokes; it actually handles a really uplifting story about family, acceptance, identity, and the importance of being true to yourself, which gives all the comedy some proper emotional weight.
Directed by the brilliant Victor Villanueva, Drags to Riches proudly embraces its own unique brand of unapologetic camp. It does not bother trying to conform to a conventional, safe comedy structure, nor does it try to ground its most outrageous moments in reality. Instead, the film fully commits to the utter madness, and that is exactly why it works so beautifully. If you are willing to just leave your logic at the door and go along for the ride, you will be rewarded with one incredibly hilarious sequence after another.
The plot follows fierce office rivals Andre (played by Elijah Canlas) and Troye (played by Iñigo Pascual), who are both desperately gunning for the exact same corporate promotion. Things quickly spiral out of control when their blunt boss, Don Manny (Benjie Paras), bypasses them completely and hands the position to his son, Jarold (Christian Bables). But when Jarold suddenly vanishes into thin air, the desperate duo stumbles upon his long-lost twin brother, Jonas—a absolutely fabulous drag queen, also played by Bables. They somehow convince Jonas to impersonate Jarold to save their corporate skins, setting off a wildly entertaining, escalating chain of events.
First things first, we have to talk about Christian Bables. Honestly, once you see his name attached to a cast list, you already know you are in incredibly safe hands. No matter the genre, he consistently delivers outstanding, masterclass performances. But he is far from carrying this whole film on his own. The entire casting is a massive win. Iñigo Pascual continues to prove himself as a seriously dependable actor, while Elijah Canlas demonstrates once again why he is hands-down one of the most versatile and gifted performers of his generation. Whether he is doing gritty independent films, mainstream cinema, or international projects, Canlas always brings something deeply memorable to the screen. With a core cast this strong, you are already sold on the movie before the story even begins, and thankfully, the material completely lives up to the immense talent on display.
Victor Villanueva proves yet again that he truly understands the mechanics of comedy. His sharp direction gives every single actor plenty of room to shine while perfectly maintaining the film's wonderfully chaotic, fast-paced rhythm. Every single punchline lands beautifully because the cast never treats the jokes like they are trying to be funny—they fully commit to every ridiculous situation as though it is just another normal day at the office. That deadpan, straight-faced commitment makes the sheer absurdity even more hysterical.
Christian Bables is undoubtedly the standout star of the show. His portrayal of both Jarold and Jonas is remarkably distinct. He builds two entirely separate characters through unique body language, speech patterns, mannerisms, and physicality. Switching between the two personas looks completely effortless for him, and his comic timing is absolutely impeccable. You never confuse the twins for a single second.
Iñigo Pascual delivers what is easily one of the funniest, most energetic performances of his career. His comedic timing feels incredibly natural, and his bright chemistry with the rest of the cast makes every single interaction a joy to watch. Meanwhile, Elijah Canlas surprises everyone with an incredibly successful comedy debut. After watching him excel in so many heavy, dramatic roles over the years, it is immensely refreshing to watch him embrace full-blown, chaotic comedy with total confidence. One particular emotional breakdown scene perfectly showcases his phenomenal range. Instead of relying on the typical, exaggerated fake crying you usually see in comedies, Canlas delivers the moment with genuine emotion and actual tears running down his face, without losing a single bit of the humour. It is both sidesplittingly funny and unexpectedly impressive. And fair warning—after watching this film, you will never look at a can of whipped cream the same way again.
There is also an understated, brilliant chemistry between Elijah Canlas and Iñigo Pascual that quietly becomes one of the absolute highlights of the film. Their playful rivalry is genuinely charming, their contrasting personalities complement each other naturally, and honestly, in another universe, I could easily see these two leading a massive hit BL series together. They just work so well as a duo.
The humour itself perfectly captures that classic, uniquely Filipino style of comedy. There are so many scenes that make absolutely zero logical sense, yet they are so unashamedly ridiculous that you cannot help but laugh out loud. Intrusive thoughts somehow instantly become reality on screen. The impossible simply happens, and everyone in the scene acts as though it is perfectly normal behavior.
Even the camerawork joins in on the fun. The constant, dramatic zooms, sudden camera movements, and intentionally exaggerated framing give the film a fantastic, old-school energy that recalls the golden era of Pinoy comedy. Whether it is an instant PowerPoint presentation appearing out of thin air, stairs somehow moving as fast as an elevator, elaborate international costumes magically materialising in seconds, or a serious street fight unexpectedly turning into a game of luksong baka, the film never stops to question its own absurdity—and neither should the audience. It is pure joy.
The supporting cast also delivers some solid value. Benjie Paras fits the role perfectly as the casually homophobic father whose blunt, unfiltered remarks are both deeply frustrating and unexpectedly funny due to his perfect delivery. K Brosas brings a lovely warmth and absolute sincerity to the screen as Jonas' supportive mother. Macoy Dubs adds an infectious, effortless best-friend energy to every scene he is in, while real-life drag performers Deja, Mrs. Tan, and Feyvah Fatale show some seriously impressive acting versatility that goes way beyond their stunning, glamorous looks.
Admittedly, not every single supporting role lands with the same impact. Adam Domingo (Panginoon ng Kababawan) feels like he is holding back a bit when his character really needed a much bigger, louder energy. Pau Dimaranan lacks the commanding screen presence required for her role, while Eli Padilla, Marco Navarra, and Kobe Francisco do not really contribute much to the overall progression of the story. On the bright side, young KD Omalin leaves a surprisingly strong impression despite his limited screen time, looking every bit like a talented future star to watch out for.
Beyond all the laughs, I really appreciated how the film highlights the vital importance of a supportive family in a child's life. That grounding emotional core gives the narrative way more weight and prevents the entire thing from becoming just another over-the-top, mindless comedy.
Drags to Riches genuinely feels like a beautiful love letter to the classic era of Filipino comedies. At a time when modern local comedies have become much more grounded, subtle, and sentimental, Victor Villanueva proudly revives the loud, unapologetically camp, and delightfully unserious style that many of us grew up watching and loving. It even carries wonderful echoes of the late, great Wenn V. Deramas' unmistakable comedic spirit, while still feeling uniquely fresh under Villanueva's vision.
The screenplay is not completely perfect, and there are admittedly a few missed opportunities in the writing that could have made the overarching story even stronger. But thanks to Villanueva's confident, visionary direction and the fully committed, brilliant performances from Christian Bables, Elijah Canlas, and Iñigo Pascual, Drags to Riches succeeds exactly where it matters most—it keeps its audience roaring with laughter while delivering just enough heart to make the entire experience incredibly memorable.
If you are looking for strict realism and heavy logic, this probably is not the film for you. But if you are after a wildly entertaining, proudly queer, and gloriously camp comedy that completely embraces every bit of its own beautiful chaos, Drags to Riches is an absolute blast that you should not miss.
I managed to catch Drags to Riches on its premiere night on 23 June 2026, and honestly, it was an absolute ripper of an evening. The cinema was completely packed and bursting with non-stop laughter from the opening credits right through to the end. But what really blew me away was that underneath all the glorious, chaotic madness, this film has a massive amount of genuine heart. It is not just mindlessly chasing a string of jokes; it actually handles a really uplifting story about family, acceptance, identity, and the importance of being true to yourself, which gives all the comedy some proper emotional weight.
Directed by the brilliant Victor Villanueva, Drags to Riches proudly embraces its own unique brand of unapologetic camp. It does not bother trying to conform to a conventional, safe comedy structure, nor does it try to ground its most outrageous moments in reality. Instead, the film fully commits to the utter madness, and that is exactly why it works so beautifully. If you are willing to just leave your logic at the door and go along for the ride, you will be rewarded with one incredibly hilarious sequence after another.
The plot follows fierce office rivals Andre (played by Elijah Canlas) and Troye (played by Iñigo Pascual), who are both desperately gunning for the exact same corporate promotion. Things quickly spiral out of control when their blunt boss, Don Manny (Benjie Paras), bypasses them completely and hands the position to his son, Jarold (Christian Bables). But when Jarold suddenly vanishes into thin air, the desperate duo stumbles upon his long-lost twin brother, Jonas—a absolutely fabulous drag queen, also played by Bables. They somehow convince Jonas to impersonate Jarold to save their corporate skins, setting off a wildly entertaining, escalating chain of events.
First things first, we have to talk about Christian Bables. Honestly, once you see his name attached to a cast list, you already know you are in incredibly safe hands. No matter the genre, he consistently delivers outstanding, masterclass performances. But he is far from carrying this whole film on his own. The entire casting is a massive win. Iñigo Pascual continues to prove himself as a seriously dependable actor, while Elijah Canlas demonstrates once again why he is hands-down one of the most versatile and gifted performers of his generation. Whether he is doing gritty independent films, mainstream cinema, or international projects, Canlas always brings something deeply memorable to the screen. With a core cast this strong, you are already sold on the movie before the story even begins, and thankfully, the material completely lives up to the immense talent on display.
Victor Villanueva proves yet again that he truly understands the mechanics of comedy. His sharp direction gives every single actor plenty of room to shine while perfectly maintaining the film's wonderfully chaotic, fast-paced rhythm. Every single punchline lands beautifully because the cast never treats the jokes like they are trying to be funny—they fully commit to every ridiculous situation as though it is just another normal day at the office. That deadpan, straight-faced commitment makes the sheer absurdity even more hysterical.
Christian Bables is undoubtedly the standout star of the show. His portrayal of both Jarold and Jonas is remarkably distinct. He builds two entirely separate characters through unique body language, speech patterns, mannerisms, and physicality. Switching between the two personas looks completely effortless for him, and his comic timing is absolutely impeccable. You never confuse the twins for a single second.
Iñigo Pascual delivers what is easily one of the funniest, most energetic performances of his career. His comedic timing feels incredibly natural, and his bright chemistry with the rest of the cast makes every single interaction a joy to watch. Meanwhile, Elijah Canlas surprises everyone with an incredibly successful comedy debut. After watching him excel in so many heavy, dramatic roles over the years, it is immensely refreshing to watch him embrace full-blown, chaotic comedy with total confidence. One particular emotional breakdown scene perfectly showcases his phenomenal range. Instead of relying on the typical, exaggerated fake crying you usually see in comedies, Canlas delivers the moment with genuine emotion and actual tears running down his face, without losing a single bit of the humour. It is both sidesplittingly funny and unexpectedly impressive. And fair warning—after watching this film, you will never look at a can of whipped cream the same way again.
There is also an understated, brilliant chemistry between Elijah Canlas and Iñigo Pascual that quietly becomes one of the absolute highlights of the film. Their playful rivalry is genuinely charming, their contrasting personalities complement each other naturally, and honestly, in another universe, I could easily see these two leading a massive hit BL series together. They just work so well as a duo.
The humour itself perfectly captures that classic, uniquely Filipino style of comedy. There are so many scenes that make absolutely zero logical sense, yet they are so unashamedly ridiculous that you cannot help but laugh out loud. Intrusive thoughts somehow instantly become reality on screen. The impossible simply happens, and everyone in the scene acts as though it is perfectly normal behavior.
Even the camerawork joins in on the fun. The constant, dramatic zooms, sudden camera movements, and intentionally exaggerated framing give the film a fantastic, old-school energy that recalls the golden era of Pinoy comedy. Whether it is an instant PowerPoint presentation appearing out of thin air, stairs somehow moving as fast as an elevator, elaborate international costumes magically materialising in seconds, or a serious street fight unexpectedly turning into a game of luksong baka, the film never stops to question its own absurdity—and neither should the audience. It is pure joy.
The supporting cast also delivers some solid value. Benjie Paras fits the role perfectly as the casually homophobic father whose blunt, unfiltered remarks are both deeply frustrating and unexpectedly funny due to his perfect delivery. K Brosas brings a lovely warmth and absolute sincerity to the screen as Jonas' supportive mother. Macoy Dubs adds an infectious, effortless best-friend energy to every scene he is in, while real-life drag performers Deja, Mrs. Tan, and Feyvah Fatale show some seriously impressive acting versatility that goes way beyond their stunning, glamorous looks.
Admittedly, not every single supporting role lands with the same impact. Adam Domingo (Panginoon ng Kababawan) feels like he is holding back a bit when his character really needed a much bigger, louder energy. Pau Dimaranan lacks the commanding screen presence required for her role, while Eli Padilla, Marco Navarra, and Kobe Francisco do not really contribute much to the overall progression of the story. On the bright side, young KD Omalin leaves a surprisingly strong impression despite his limited screen time, looking every bit like a talented future star to watch out for.
Beyond all the laughs, I really appreciated how the film highlights the vital importance of a supportive family in a child's life. That grounding emotional core gives the narrative way more weight and prevents the entire thing from becoming just another over-the-top, mindless comedy.
Drags to Riches genuinely feels like a beautiful love letter to the classic era of Filipino comedies. At a time when modern local comedies have become much more grounded, subtle, and sentimental, Victor Villanueva proudly revives the loud, unapologetically camp, and delightfully unserious style that many of us grew up watching and loving. It even carries wonderful echoes of the late, great Wenn V. Deramas' unmistakable comedic spirit, while still feeling uniquely fresh under Villanueva's vision.
The screenplay is not completely perfect, and there are admittedly a few missed opportunities in the writing that could have made the overarching story even stronger. But thanks to Villanueva's confident, visionary direction and the fully committed, brilliant performances from Christian Bables, Elijah Canlas, and Iñigo Pascual, Drags to Riches succeeds exactly where it matters most—it keeps its audience roaring with laughter while delivering just enough heart to make the entire experience incredibly memorable.
If you are looking for strict realism and heavy logic, this probably is not the film for you. But if you are after a wildly entertaining, proudly queer, and gloriously camp comedy that completely embraces every bit of its own beautiful chaos, Drags to Riches is an absolute blast that you should not miss.
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