Last month, a drag queen made rounds on the internet after a very controversial performance. Known as Pura Luka Vega, this drag artist created a massive hate movement against them. Aside from receiving backlash, they are also being proclaimed as Persona Non-Grata in different parts of the Philippines. Find out who is Pura Luka Vega and what’s next to this infamous artist.
Who is Pura Luka Vega?
Amadeus Fernando Pagente or professionally known as Pura Luka Vega is a Filipino drag artist. They have been active since the year 2017 and are known for being a contestant in Drag Den Philippines Season 1 in late 2022. Soon after, Pura Luka Vega was also then announced as one of the eight “mudras” to appear on the first season of Mudrakels, hosted by their fellow Drag Den contestant, Lady Gagita.
Recently, Pura Luka Vega went viral and have been receiving backlash for a video they posted on Twitter wherein they are seen lip-syncing to a rock remix of Ama Namin (a prayer for the Black Nazarene) while dressed in an outfit similar to that of the Black Nazarene – a devoted symbolism of Jesus Christ
This issue has enraged many, and was heavily criticized by a lot of Christian believers, who claimed that their performance was inappropriate, “sacrilegious”, “blasphemous”, and “offensive”. Nonetheless, there were also people who defended them and said that their performance is a “mere expression of art”. Pura Luka Vega addressed the issue and stated that the intention of the performance was not to offend, rather to express their faith.
Unfortunately, netizens aren’t the only ones offended and affected. Even legislators have spoken and have made a statement against the said performance. Philippines’ first transgender lawmaker, Bataan representative Geraldine Roman, stated in a CNN interview “This is simply a case of disrespect for religious feelings of other people. And now, because binabatikos ka ng marami sa lipunan (because you are being criticized by many members of the society), you’re waving the queer card. Don’t be unfair kasi nga, you know what, ang masama dito magkamali ang isang member ng community, lalahatin na (what’s bad here is if one member of the community commits a mistake, it will be generalized)”, the lawmaker said.
Meanwhilehile, Philippine Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also said: “We urge the authorities to look into this matter. Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code punishes those who offend any race or religion in the performance of obscene or indecent plays, scenes, acts or shows in theaters, fairs, or any other place”.
Pura Luka Vega proclaimed as Persona Non-Grata in various cities in Philippines
As church groups and some senators criticized the behavior as profane, eight local government units such as Floridablanca in Pampanga, General Santos, Toboso of Negros Occidental, Manila, Bukidnon, Laguna, Cagayan de Oro, and Nueva Ecija, have proclaimed Vega a Persona Non-Grata, or an unwelcomed person in Latin. This declaration would entail that a person is forbidden from entering the territory of a specific locality. Vega is also facing a complaint by the Philippines for Jesus Movement filed in Quezon City for violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Pura Luka Vega will now face all these complaints and will no longer be welcome in the cities where they are proclaimed as persona non grata
Here are the localities where drag artist Pura Luka Vega was declared persona non grata for their controversial 'Ama Namin' performance.
Read more: https://t.co/YDWKAJjEs7 pic.twitter.com/lMvB2k5w51
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) August 17, 2023
However, what if every city in the Philippines will grant Pura Luka Vega a persona non grata? Will they be kicked out of the Philippines?
The answer would be no. Although it is a frequent misconception that a persona non grata declaration prevents people from visiting certain areas, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) legal opinion and precedent show that this is not the case. Pura Luka Vega won’t be “kicked out” of the Philippines because a persona non grata proclamation is merely a local legislature’s view. It is not legally enforceable and does not prevent visitors from visiting their localities.
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