Drag icons and longtime friends Precious Paula Nicole and Popstar Bench officially launched the music video for their debut collaboration, “Tara Na Bes,” last Saturday, April 19, gathering members of the press and their closest friends for an intimate media launch to celebrate not just a new visual release but a friendship years in the making.
More than a summer anthem, Tara Na Bes is rooted in real moments shared between the two drag artists. Inspired by a trip to La Union with their closest friends, the track captures a sense of ease, joy, and presence, feelings that the music video further amplifies through vibrant, sun-soaked imagery.
From left to right: Chie De Jesus, Buknoy Gonzales, Bryan Ecal, Popstar Bench, Precious Paula Nicole, and Mikey Banaag. Inspired by their La Union trip, “Tara Na Bes” serves as Precious Paula Nicole’s tribute to friendship, capturing the carefree energy and shared moments that define their circle.
“Tara Na Bes is my way of immortalizing this moment in our lives,” Precious Paula Nicole shared at the event. “Someday, things may change. We don’t know what the future holds. But no matter what happens, even if there comes a time when we are no longer friends, I want us to always be able to look back on this beautiful moment in our friendship. This song is that.”
Beyond preserving their friendship, Precious also wanted to make one of Bench’s long-held dreams a reality. Bench has always had a love for singing, and ‘Tara Na Bes’ gave her the chance to finally release a song of her own, something Precious wanted to give her as much as she wanted to create the song itself.
Precious Paula Nicole and Popstar Bench performing “Tara Na Bes” at the media launch.
Bench first encountered Precious at a variety show in Mandaluyong, where watching her perform sparked something within her. Inspired, Bench began pursuing drag herself, eventually performing in a group where fate would bring them together again. Before one of her performances, where she channeled her deep obsession with Lady Gaga, Precious noticed her in the restroom, still a young queen learning the ropes, and helped fix her makeup. It was a small gesture that would mark the beginning of something much bigger.
Their friendship deepened when Bench auditioned for and was accepted into O-Bar, where they performed side by side and grew not just as artists but as individuals. Precious took on the role of both mentor and sister—sharing makeup, costumes, guidance, and hard-earned wisdom.
At O-Bar, their shared love for impersonation became another thread that tied them together. Precious embodied Regine Velasquez, while Bench performed as Sarah Geronimo. Inspired by the real-life closeness of the two icons, they began performing duets together, half-jokingly imagining themselves as the “Regine and Sarah of drag.” Over time, that vision materialized in ways they never expected, including the rare opportunity to be invited to perform in a concert alongside the very artists they admired.
Their friendship also extended beyond the stage. Before the pandemic, Precious’ and Bench’s mothers had the chance to meet at O-Bar and struck up a genuine friendship of their own.
Bench echoed the sentiment, describing what working on the song meant to her: “This song is an extension of that trip. Celebrating our connection and sharing that joy with everyone.”
Capturing the spirit of summer escape, “Tara Na Bes” encourages listeners to let go of worries, embrace the moment, and celebrate friendship. Set against a vibrant, feel-good sound, the track channels the easy rhythm of beach days and late-night laughter, where worries can wait, and all that matters is the company you keep.
Tara Na Bes” is now available on all major streaming platforms.
As the music continues to evolve within the local drag scene, “Tara Na Bes” stands as a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful stories come from the simplest moments: sun, sea, and the people who make everything feel lighter.
Because in the end, sometimes all you really need is a simple invitation: tara na, bes.
