Rainbow Ball 2025: A Historic Weekend of Pride, Perya, and Power for the Filipinx Ballroom Community
Photography Christopher Sy, courtesy of The Rainbow Ball.
As Pride Month kicked off across the globe, a vibrant explosion of color, celebration, and queer excellence took over Metro Manila with the Rainbow Ball and Gala 2025 — a landmark two-day Ballroom celebration in Makati that made history in Asia and brought the spirit of perya (Philippine carnival) alive. Held on May 31 and June 1, the weekend was co-produced by up-and-coming Legend and Trailblazer Mother Xyza Mizrahi and Father Misha De La Blanca, with both events rooted deeply in advocacy, community-building, and the unshakable brilliance of queer Filipinx and Asian Ballroom culture.
Icons Take the Runway in Historic First
Saturday’s Rainbow Ball Mainstream, held at The Shooting Gallery Studios, was more than a performance — it was a legacy-making event. For the first time in Asia, an all-Icon judging panel from New York City, the birthplace of Ballroom, sat at the helm of the competition. The presence of Icons André Mizrahi, Julian De La Blanca, Omari Oricci, Diva Davanna Alpha Omega, Eyricka Lanvin, Javier “The Dragon” Ninja, Tanay Penda’vis-Garcons, and Koppi Mizrahi was a testament to the Philippine Ballroom scene’s rising global profile.
Mother Xyza of the Iconic House of Mizrahi. Photography Christopher Sy, courtesy of The Rainbow Ball.
Opening with a dynamic roll call of Legends, Statements, and Stars (LSS) from across Asia — including houses like LaBeija, Ebony, Oricci, and Ninja — the ball roared to life. Local MCs Freya Mizrahi and Tokio 007 joined Kinshasa Basquiat from Japan in keeping the energy high.
Then came the grand marches — part ritual, part runway revolution. Father Misha De La Blanca led the House of De La Blanca with booming traditional drums, followed by a multicultural display of power from house members across the region. But it was Mother Xyza Mizrahi who left jaws on the floor: her performance — suspended mid-air on trapeze — was a surreal, ethereal display that elevated both her house and the spirit of the night.
A Riot of Categories, Colors, and Culture
True to the "Perya" theme, the categories exploded with creativity. From Face to Fag Out Dyke Out, Hair Affair to Hands vs Arms, the night embraced queerness in all its forms — sensual, defiant, celebratory. The Bizarre and Fashion Killa categories turned the runway into an arena of fantasy and defiance, while Sex Siren and the various Vogue styles reminded everyone that Ballroom is where self-ownership meets body politics.
But it wasn’t just about competition. Recognition was also given to community builders and advocates who’ve made significant contributions to the Philippine Ballroom scene. Honorees included Prince Lakan Mizrahi, Dahlia LaBeija, Christopher Sy, Jaja 007, Overseer Canter Mizrahi, Merckz 007, and Mother Koppi Mizrahi — each honored for their work in growing and sustaining Ballroom culture in the Philippines.
Father Misha of The Legendary House of De La Blanca drums for the grand march. Photography Christopher Sy, courtesy of The Rainbow Ball.
The Rainbow Gala and Kiki Ball: Community, Fashion, and Future Icons
Day 2 at Octopus Bar was a more intimate yet no less electric continuation of the festivities. The Rainbow Gala opened with a stunning fashion show from queer Filipino designers Oz Go, Glorious Dias, and Ziv Rei Alexi, featuring models from the Ballroom community in an archival, decolonial spectacle.
Then the Kiki Aftermath Ball brought the house down — literally. Ten fierce categories celebrated Kiki culture: OTA Fresh Face, Pose-off, Tag Team Old Way New Way, Kiki Labels, and Virgin Vogue, among others. Icon Eyricka took the grand prize for Sex Appeal, while Icons Javier and Julian lit up the floor with their synchronized win in Tag Team Old Way New Way.
Judging the night were international Ballroom figures from across Asia and the diaspora: Mother Koppi Pinklady (Japan), Asia Mother Channing Louboutin (Taiwan), Kianna Louboutin (Australia), Aurora Sun (Thailand), José Mendonca (Macau), and Filipino Ballroom leaders Mother Dahlia Cleopatra, Father Canter Marciano, and surprise judge Mother Ozkurr Dirty. Beats by DJ Ayel Pinklady and MCs Tokio Cinco and Ponla Marciano made sure the energy never dipped.
More Than a Ball — A Movement
With over PHP250,000 in cash prizes, the Rainbow Ball 2025 wasn’t just a showcase — it was a radical investment in queer and trans talent. It was a declaration: that Filipina/o/x lives, creativity, and voices matter, and deserve the global stage.
By combining the grit of advocacy (through partnerships with Trans Health Philippines, HASH HIV/AIDS Support House, and Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce) with the glitter of performance, Mother Xyza Mizrahi and Father Misha De La Blanca have gifted the community something far greater than a weekend of celebration — they’ve offered a glimpse into a future where Filipinx Ballroom is not only surviving, but thriving.
In the energy shouted on that runway and echoed through the nights: this is Ballroom, this is Perya, this is Pride — and the Philippines is here.
Click through the gallery above for a look at some of the Rainbow Ball 2025’s iconic moments.
