On July 12, celebrities Romnick Sarmenta, Ogie Diaz, and Karen Bordador weighed in on Pura Luka Vega’s controversial ‘Ama Namin’ drag performance.
Via Twitter, actor Sarmenta first highlighted the sanctity of religion while promoting forgiveness and understanding.
May mga bagay na sagrado para sa isang tao. Hindi rin ibig sabihin ng paniniwala ang pagiging nasa lugar.
At hindi tayo ang makapagsasabi kung ano ang saloobin ng ating kapwa.
Nasa banal na aklat din ang pagpapatawad, at pagbibigay linaw.
Lahat naman tayo may pagkukulang.— Romnick Sarmenta (@Relampago1972) July 14, 2023
He then wrote his stance, acknowledging the disrespect brought by the drag performance. However, he clarified that he was against disparaging and discriminatory remarks.
At para malinaw, sang ayon ako sa sinabi ng simbahan na mayroong disrespetong nagawa. Pero hindi ako sang ayon sa pangmamaliit ng kapwa. Mas maiging paliwanagan at mailagay sa wasto, kaysa pagtulungan at kutyain ang pagkatao.
— Romnick Sarmenta (@Relampago1972) July 14, 2023
He also emphasized his values as a Christian, such as acceptance and respect.
At pakiusap, bilang isang nagsusumikap na mamuhay bilang Katoliko, at isang Kristyano… ang pagtanggap at pag galang na hinahangad ay dapat ding malayang ibinibigay.
Maging maingat sana tayo , sa pagtalakay ng mga sagradong bagay.— Romnick Sarmenta (@Relampago1972) July 14, 2023
Finally, he reiterated the significance of forgiveness.
Forgiveness given after an apology is human forgiveness.
Christ like compassion and forgiveness does not wait for an apology. True, repentance is needed, even crucial and ideal… but it was never a pre-requisite for Christ.
If we want His forgiveness, forgive like Him.— Romnick Sarmenta (@Relampago1972) July 14, 2023
Showbiz reporter Diaz quoted the tweet from a netizen who called out politicians criticizing Vega but were silent during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s tirades against religion.
Ano kaya masasabi ng mga pulitiko dito? Sige nga, makikinig ako. https://t.co/xVvLQcRPIx
— ogie diaz (@ogiediaz) July 13, 2023
Celebrity radio DJ, model, TV and events host Bordador described the video as evil and distasteful. However, she backpedaled and gave the benefit of the doubt to the drag performer’s intention for the performance.
For some reason the AMA NAMIN Remix looked evil. Like it was done to mock the song and Jesus. I cringed and didn’t finish the video. I just couldn’t. Maybe there are other remixes but this one seemed distasteful. Perhaps it wasn’t the intention so please don’t repeat na lang.
— Karen Bordador (@Karen_Bordador) July 12, 2023
Vega’s drag performance earned mixed reactions, with most expressing outrage over the religious implications of the act.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also decried the drag performer’s act, with Spokesperson Fr. Jerome Secilliano describing it as ‘disrespectful.’
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also voiced the same sentiments, citing the possibility of filing a criminal case against Vega through the Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code.
The Article 201 (b) of the Revised Penal Code states that ‘those who offend any race or religion in theaters, fairs, cinematographs or any other place, exhibit, indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, whether live or in film, may face a penalty or a fine ranging from P6,000 to P12,000 or both.’
Previously, Vega shared about drag being political during the press run of Drag Den with Manila Luzon.
