Drag superstar Precious Paula Nicole and rising Kapamilya actor Argel Saycon headline ‘Lipsync Assassin’, a short film competing at Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2025.
Directed by Jon Galvez, the film will run from September 24 to 30 in Robinsons Cinemas, Gateway, and SM theaters nationwide.
Precious portrays Sampaguita, a drag queen whose dazzling stage persona hides a chilling double life as an assassin. For her, the transformation felt eerily natural—until the gun came into play.
“Sabi ko, kaya ko ‘yan. Nagmi-make up, naglalagay ng pads, nagli-lipsync—lahat ‘yan ginagawa ko na. Pero ‘yung assassin part, doon ako kinabahan,” Precious shared.
Despite the blood and bullets, she embraced the challenge as destiny. “Hindi siya normal sa akin, pero parte siya ng destiny. Kailangan mo siyang gawin,” she added, underscoring her deeper commitment to storytelling beyond the stage.
Opposite her is Argel Saycon as Rudy, Sampaguita’s loyal confidant and partner-in-crime. His role may not be loud, but it carries immense weight.
“Ako ‘yung naghahatid ng impormasyon, ng mga pictures ng target,” Argel explained.
Their onscreen chemistry quickly clicked. “Napaka-welcoming ni Argel. Hindi siya intimidating kahit ang pogi-pogi! Ang ganda ng energy niya,” Precious said with a laugh. Argel responded humbly: “Ginawa lang po talaga namin.”
Both actors admitted working with Direk Jon was demanding—but worth it.
“Ang strict po talaga niya! Napaiyak kami ng ilang beses—charing!” Precious joked. Argel, meanwhile, admired his director’s openness: “Hinayaan lang ako ni Direk. Tinanong niya kung ano gusto niya, so ‘yun ang binigay ko.”
Precious even went through a one-day workshop to sharpen her approach, while Argel dove right into his character. “Feeling ko hindi niya kailangang magworkshop,” Precious said in admiration.
At its core, Lipsync Assassin is not just about sequins and smoke—it’s about sacrifice.
“Ako, kaya ko gawin lahat para sa pamilya. Sanay ako magtrabaho para sa kanila,” Precious confessed. Argel echoed: “Kaya kong sumalo ng bala para sa pamilya ko.”
That emotional backbone adds weight to the action. “Hindi siya campy. Medyo seryoso po talaga, medyo madugo,” Precious clarified.
For Precious, Lipsync Assassin is also about breaking barriers. “Pangarap ko po talaga ang straight roles. Nakakapagod mag-drag! For a change naman,” she said.
Argel, meanwhile, expressed admiration for the LGBTQ+ community: “Grabe ‘yung struggle nila. Kailangan din nila ng pagmamahal. Bilib ako sa kanila.”
With its mix of performance art and raw human drama, Lipsync Assassin is shaping up to be one of the most daring short films of the festival.
Catch Precious Paula Nicole and Argel Saycon in ‘Lipsync Assassin’ at Sinag Maynila Film Festival, screening from September 24 to 30 at Robinsons Cinemas, Gateway, and SM.
It’s not just a film—it’s a statement.
