{{Short description|Filipino drag performer}} {{Use Philippine English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Zymba Ding | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Paul Hidacan | birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date |21|2024|06|22}}<ref name="NEWYORK1">{{Cite news | last=Elemia | first=Camille | date=June 22, 2024 | title=Drag Goes Mainstream in the Philippines, a Bastion of Christianity | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/22/world/asia/drag-popular-philippines.html | newspaper=The New York Times | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226062247/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/22/world/asia/drag-popular-philippines.html | archive-date=December 26, 2024 | url-status=bot: unknown | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-US | url-access=subscription }}</ref><!-- Valid citation required for date of birth for BLP. (WP:BLPPRIVACY) --> | birth_place = Tala, Caloocan, Philippines | height = | occupation = {{hlist|Drag performer|actor|recording artist}} | years_active = 2023–present | agent = Sony Music Philippines (2026–present) | education = | website = }}
'''Paul Hidacan''', known professionally as '''Zymba Ding''', is a Filipino drag performer, actor, and recording artist. His drag career started in 2023, when he won drag competitions such as ''Dragdagulan'', ''Ikaw Nemen'', and ''Bunganga Battle Royale''. In 2024, he joined season three of ''Drag Race Philippines'', where he competed in the finals but did not place in the Top 4. In June 2025, he made his theater debut as Katana G in the Philippine Educational Theater Association-produced ''Dalaga na si Maxie Oliveros'' ({{Translation|Maxie Oliveros is now a woman}}). In 2026, he signed a record deal with Sony Music Philippines.
== Early life == Paul Hidacan<ref name="NEWYORK1"/> was born in Tala, Caloocan, Philippines.<ref name="METROSCENE1">{{Cite news | date=August 2024 | title=Zymba Ding Slays Stigma with Leprosy Awareness on Drag Race PH | url=https://www.metroscenemag.com/2024/08/zymba-ding-slays-stigma-with-leprosy.html | magazine=Metroscene | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919083935/https://www.metroscenemag.com/2024/08/zymba-ding-slays-stigma-with-leprosy.html | archive-date=September 19, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-PH}}</ref> He came from a highly religious family and his mother was a preacher. Shortly before his sister died, she worked as Brigiding's assistant when ''Drag Race Philippines''<nowiki/>' first season was airing and introduced Hidacan to him. Hidacan joined Brigiding's House of Ding and became his drag daughter, debuting the drag persona Zymba Ding.<ref name="MM1">{{Cite magazine | last=Samonte | first=Jujiin | date=September 28, 2023 | title=The Houses That Built Rising Drag Star Zymba Ding | url=https://mega-asia.com/lifestyle/zymba-ding-finds-her-chosen-family/ | magazine=Mega | archive-url= | archive-date= | url-status=live | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-PH}}</ref>
== Career == === 2023–present: Drag career, theater debut === Zymba began his drag career in 2023.<ref name="NEWYORK1"/> He has won drag competitions such as ''Dragdagulan'', ''Ikaw Nemen'', and ''Bunganga Battle Royale''. The latter took place weekly and was hosted by Viñas DeLuxe.<ref name="MM2">{{Cite magazine | last=Samonte | first=Jujiin | date=September 21, 2023 | title=A Stellar Ascending: The Irresistible Blaze of Zymba Ding | url=https://mega-asia.com/fashion/runway/a-stellar-ascending-the-irresistible-blaze-of-zymba-ding/ | magazine=Mega | archive-url= | archive-date= | url-status=live | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-PH}}</ref>
As of July 2024, Zymba was being trained by the Divine Divas (consisting of drag performers Brigiding, Viñas, and Precious Paula Nicole) at Rampa ({{Translation|Catwalk}}), a nightclub in Quezon City owned by the Divas.<ref name="MB1">{{Cite news | last=Cuartero | first=Nestor | date=July 18, 2024 | title=Moviegoer: How drag changed their lives | url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/18/moviegoer-how-drag-changed-their-lives | newspaper=Manila Bulletin | archive-url= | archive-date= | url-status=live | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-PH}}</ref>
In the same year, he competed in ''Drag Race Philippines''<nowiki/>' third season. He was eliminated in episode nine, which aired on October 4. Tita Baby defeated Zymba in a lipsync, preventing him from joining the final Top 4 of the season.<ref name="DAILY1">{{Cite magazine | last=Mallorca | first=Hannah | date=October 3, 2024 | title=Angel, Maxie, Khianna, Tita Baby announced as 'Drag Race PH' S3 Top 4 | url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/579649/angel-maxie-khianna-tita-baby-announced-as-drag-race-ph-s3-top-4 | newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003040704/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/579649/angel-maxie-khianna-tita-baby-announced-as-drag-race-ph-s3-top-4 | archive-date=October 3, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-PH}}</ref>
In late 2024 to early 2025, Zymba's drag tributes gained praise from singers SZA and Doechii.<ref name="INTO1">{{Cite magazine | last=Cramer | first=Jude | date=January 2, 2025 | title=SZA's love for this Drag Race queen is the crossover of our dreams | url=https://www.intomore.com/culture/icons/szas-love-for-this-drag-race-queen-is-the-crossover-of-our-dreams/ | magazine=Into | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219183231/https://www.intomore.com/culture/icons/doechii-shouts-out-this-flawless-drag-recreation-of-her-denial-is-a-river-dance/ | archive-date=February 19, 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="INTO2">{{Cite magazine | last=Cramer | first=Jude | date=February 19, 2025 | title=Doechii shouts out this flawless drag recreation of her "Denial is a River" dance | url=https://www.intomore.com/culture/icons/doechii-shouts-out-this-flawless-drag-recreation-of-her-denial-is-a-river-dance/ | magazine=Into | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219183231/https://www.intomore.com/culture/icons/doechii-shouts-out-this-flawless-drag-recreation-of-her-denial-is-a-river-dance/ | archive-date=February 19, 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-US}}</ref>
In June 2025, Zymba was cast as Katana G in ''Dalaga na si Maxie Oliveros'' ({{Translation|Maxie Oliveros is now a woman}}), a queer musical produced by the Philippine Educational Theater Association and J+ Productions.<ref name="PS1">{{Cite magazine | last=Bracamonte | first=Earl D.C. | date=June 17, 2025 | title='Dalaga na si Maxie Oliveros': A new queer, coming-of-age musical | url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2025/06/17/2451231/dalaga-na-si-maxie-oliveros-new-queer-coming-age-musical | work=Philstar | publisher=The Philippine Star | archive-url= | archive-date= | url-status=live | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-PH}}</ref> In a review of the musical, ''Manila Bulletin''{{'s}} John Legaspi lauded the "fierce energy, sass, and heart" in Zymba's performance. He added that Zymba, alongside several of his fellow drag artists, formed the show's "emotional core".<ref name="MB2">{{Cite news | last=Legaspi | first=John | date=June 21, 2025 | title='Dalaga na si Maxie Oliveros' pulls back the curtain on the lives of Filipino drag artists | url=https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/21/dalaga-na-si-maxie-oliveros-pulls-back-the-curtain-on-the-lives-of-filipino-drag-artists | newspaper=Manila Bulletin | archive-url= | archive-date= | url-status=live | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-PH}}</ref>
In February 2026, Zymba signed a record deal with Sony Music Philippines.<ref name="PS2">{{Cite web | date=February 9, 2026 | title=Look: Brigiding and Zymba Ding Mark Major Milestone in Their Music Careers | url=https://www.wheninmanila.com/brigiding-zymba-ding-major-milestone-music-career/ | website=When in Manila | archive-url= | archive-date= | url-status=live | access-date=February 22, 2026 | language=en-PH}}</ref>
== Personal life == Zymba is a gay man. He is also a Christian and has said that he incorporates his faith into his drag.<ref name="MM1"/><ref name="MM2"/>
== Filmography == === Television === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | rowspan="1" | 2024 | ''Drag Race Philippines'' season 3 | Contestant | <ref name="DAILY1"/> |- |}
=== Theater === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Production company ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | rowspan="1" | 2025 | ''Dalaga na si Maxie Oliveros'' | Katana G | Philippine Educational Theater Association and J+ Productions | style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="PS1"/><ref name="MB2"/> |- |}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|id=nm15557813}}
{{Drag Race Philippines}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ding, Zymba}} Category:2000s births Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century Filipino LGBTQ people Category:Actors from Caloocan Category:Filipino drag queens Category:Filipino gay actors Category:Gay Christians Category:Drag performers from Metro Manila