Photo credit: Pura Luka Vega

The City of Manila and the Provincial Government of Bukidnon are the latest local government units who declared Amadeus Fernando Pagente or more notoriously known as Pura Luka Vega as Persona Non Grata. This makes a total of 5 localities that condemned the drag performers’ blasphemous performance of Jesus Christ that also had an unconventional rendition of the Catholic prayer "Ama Namin" (Our Father).

Fifth District Councilor Ricardo "Boy" Isip of an undisclosed locality stated, "Ito pong taong ito ay walang habas at di man lang pinag-isipan ang kanyang ginawa… Isang kalapastangan po ang kanyang ginawang palabas. Hindi po dapat itong palagpasin kasi pag pinalagpas natin ito, baka maparisan po ito. Kailangan na po nating gumawa ng aksyon." (This person acted recklessly without any consideration for their actions... What they did was blasphemous. We cannot let this pass because if we do, it might set a precedent. We need to take action.)

The drag performer responded to the declarations by taking to social media, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "Tell me EXACTLY what I did wrong. I’m open for a dialogue and yet cities have been declaring persona non grata without even knowing me or understanding the intent of the performance. Drag is art. You judge me yet you don’t even know me. 🤷‍♀️"

The locations that have declared Pura Luka Vega as 'persona non grata' are as follows:
• General Santos City
• Floridablanca, Pampanga
• Toboso, Negros Occidental
• Bukidnon Province
• City of Manila

These declarations have fueled intense discussions about the boundaries of artistic expression, the cultural diversity within the Philippines, and the rights of performers to challenge societal norms through their craft. Pagente is also facing charges filed by the Philippine for Jesus Movement.