Who is Perlita from Dogeaters and what is their importance?

Perlita is a drag queen and owner of the popular Studio 54 club in Manila. Her act primarily consists of Donna Summers numbers, and her days are largely spent gossiping with her friend Chiquiting and berating her assistant Pedro. Perlita is a distinctly maternal figure who looks after those who need her, no matter how messed up they are.