More LGUs declare Pura Luka Vega persona non grata

Cebu, Dinangat, and Occidental Mindoro have declared Pura Luka Vega persona non grata for her controversial Ama Namin performance. 

The Cebu City Council during its regular session on Wednesday, Aug. 16, passed a resolution declaring persona non grata on the drag queen, who performed a rock version of the Lord's Prayer while wearing an outfit meant to resemble Jesus Christ.

The resolution stated that "Cebu is the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines wherein the intersection of religious beliefs and social or cultural values are somehow enmeshed."

Its author, Councilor Pastor ‘Jun’ Alcover Jr., described his performance as "offensive and disrespectful" to the "social and cultural values related to the religious beliefs of Cebuanos."

Dinangat Islands, meanwhile, condemned the drag artist for her "blasphemous" performance.

"He is not permitted to enter and/or come, and to operate business in the territorial jurisdiction of Dinangat Islands," the resolution read.

For Occidental Mindoro Vice Governor Anecita Diana C. Apigo-Tayag, she hopes that declaring Vega persona non grata in their LGU will serve as a lesson.

Following her Ama Namin performance, members of Hijos Del Nazareno (HDN) Central filed charges against the drag queen for violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code (Immoral Doctrines, Obscene Publications and Exhibitions, and Indecent Shows), in relation to Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). 

HDN Central President Val Samia stressed that the case wasn't an attack against her sexuality nor to suppress her art, but rather a consequence for disrespecting the Filipinos and their beliefs.

"Ang resulta po nito ay isang malalim na sugat sa asptetong spiritual, moral, at mental sa ating mga Pilipino, bilang mga mamamayan na niniwalan na ang Diyos ay buhay at naninirahan sa bawat puso natin," Samia said.

Samia added that this will give Vega a chance to defend himself in a fair and legal process.

Vega has also been deemed unwelcome in Manila, General Santos City, Floridablanca in Pampanga, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Cagayan de Oro City, Bukidnon, and Toboso in Negros Occidental.

On Aug. 10, Vega aired her sentiments regarding the declarations on X, formerly Twitter.

"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," she said.