Despite being declared persona non grata by a dozen municipalities in the Philippines due to her controversial Ama Namin remix performance, drag artist Pura Luka Vega, also known as Amadeus Fernando Pagente, remains undaunted.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Vega is seen performing Taylor Swift’s ‘Look What You Made Me Do.’
During her performance, she lip-synced to the lyrics, “I’m sorry, but the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, ’cause she’s dead,” while holding a framed photo of herself in the Black Nazarene costume, the same attire that ignited controversy within the Filipino Christian community.
Following her performance, Vega addressed the issues surrounding her, emphasizing that everyone makes mistakes.
She stated, “Ito lang masasabi ko—simplehan lang natin ha? Lahat tayo makasalanan. Tama? Hindi tayo perpekto. Tama? Gayunpaman, do unto others what you want others to do unto you. Okay? Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you. Golden rule lang po ‘yun.”
Addressing those who may consider declaring her persona non grata, she challenged them to do so, stating, “Para sa mga ibang lugar na gustong mag-persona non grata diyan, dagdagan niyo pa! Pakialam ko. [Mayroon tayong separation ng church at ng state]. ‘Yun lang po. Thank you po!”
Over the past few weeks, Vega has made headlines after being declared persona non grata in 12 Philippine municipalities, including General Santos City, Floridablanca, Pampanga, Laguna, City of Manila, Bukidnon Province, Toboso, Negros Occidental, Nueva Ecija, Cebu City, Cagayan De Oro City, Occidental Mindoro, Dinagat Islands, and Coron, Palawan.
Being declared persona non grata signifies that Vega is no longer welcome within these local government units; however, it does not prevent her from visiting or lead to her arrest within these areas.
In addition to these declarations, Vega faces legal issues as church leaders from the Philippines for Jesus Movement have filed a complaint against her. They allege that she should be penalized for violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which imposes penalties for exhibiting indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts, or shows that may offend any race or religion.
Vega has previously expressed her thoughts on the declarations through her X account, stating, “Tell me exactly what I did wrong. I’m open for a dialogue, and yet cities have been declaring [me] 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.”
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. 🤷♀️ https://t.co/dprxdySjkD
— Pura Luka Vega 🙃 (@puralukavega) August 10, 2023
