Francheska Dynamites Explained

Francis "Kiko" Yutrago, known by the stage name Francheska Dynamites, is a Filipino-Canadian care worker and drag performer who was featured in the third season of Canada's a Drag and the subject of the 2022 documentary film which premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival.[1] [2]

Career

Along with working as a drag performer and care worker in a nursing home he also works in the fast food industry and in janitorial services.[3]

In drag he has won multiple pageantry titles including Miss Fiesta Filipino Queen in 2019, Miss Dame of Progress in 2019, Miss Queen Philippines Canada in 2018,Queen of Canada The pageant-Tourism 2023. She was also the first drag queen from Lethbridge to be a finalist of Alberta's Next Drag Superstar.

He was one of the Canadian drag performers featured in the third season of the CBC Gem series Canada's a Drag in 2020. He was the subject of director Laura Lynn O'Grady's documentary which follows Yutrago as he works as a care worker and drag queen in Lethbridge, Alberta to support his family in The Philippines after a typhoon hits their home. It also follows Yutrago and his fiancé as he prepares to compete in a pageant as Francheska.

Personal life

Yutrago was born in The Philippines and later immigrated to Canada in 2010 under the live-in caregiver program. He works to pay for his mother's medication, his brother's tuition, and to support his family in The Philippines.[4]

Yutrago's drag name comes from people in The Philippines teasing him by changing his name from masculine Francis to feminine Francheska. His drag persona is inspired by Beyoncé and other R&B artists.

As of 2020 Yutrago lives in Stirling, Alberta with fiancé Cody, and commonly performs in Lethbridge.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Film about Filipino care worker premieres at Calgary International Film Festival - Informing, Engaging and Connecting Community . 2024-07-21 . www.canadianfilipino.net.
  2. Web site: CIFF puts the spotlight back on Alberta films ahead of next month's festival Listed . 2024-07-21 . dailyhive.com . en.
  3. News: Knegt . Peter . February 7, 2020 . How Filipina sensation Francheska Dynamites exploded to unlikely drag stardom in Lethbridge, Alberta . CBC Arts.
  4. Web site: Herald . Lethbridge . 2023-04-28 . 'Francheska: Prairie Queen' highlights Filipino contributions . 2024-07-21 . The Lethbridge Herald - News and Sports from around Lethbridge.