DRAG artist Pura Luka Vega, Amadeus Fernando Pagente in real life, only needs to acknowledge that he had done something wrong and apologize for it, for all his problems to go away.
Let us back track a bit how the whole thing began.
He performed ‘Ama Namin’ on stage during one of his shows, using as costume the clothing of the Black Nazarene. This did not sit well with many Catholic and Christian groups which put super high reverence to the said iconic image of Jesus Christ.
I must admit, I also found it offensive, being a devout Catholic myself.
Pagente himself posted his performance on social media. Either he simply does not care if he hits some sensitive cords or he just wants to gain publicity out of it. As a Filipino who lives in this country, I am certain he is well aware of the fact that the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic nation and how much the Black Nazarene means to its devotees.
When he got hit left and right for what he did, Pagente stood by his act, citing his ‘right’ and even claiming that those criticizing him simply do not understand his art. Oh, my!
As one city after another began declaring him ‘persona non grata,’ Pagente still said he does not understand where all the hate is coming from, even feigning innocence as to what wrong he had committed to deserve all such negative treatment.
When religious groups formally charged him, he continued to be in denial that he had done anything wrong at all. His display of stubbornness, by not admitting to any mistake, upholding his so-called ‘right’ and not expressing any remorse that he hurt some feelings, specifically of those who revere the Black Nazarene and Jesus Christ, incensed a lot of people and led to the filing of formal charges against him.
Even then, one of the complainants, the Hijos del Nazareno from the Quiapo Church, told interviews that they are willing to sit down with Pagente and settle the matter amicably. All they want is for him to admit that there is something wrong with what he did, apologize and never do it again.
Instead of grabbing the opportunity, Pagente chose to ignore even the legal processes by snubbing the hearings, until such time that the wheels of justice rolled and led to the issuance of an arrest warrant against him.
Now, he seems to have a hard time raising the P72,000 bail he needs for his provisional liberty, as he spent at least a couple of nights in jail. The Hijos do not feel happy about it because, as I have said, all they want is for him to acknowledge his mistake and apologize. The suit was meant to send a strong message that the Black Nazarene should not be toyed around with, taken as a joke or some sort of props that anyone can use as a form of entertainment.
At least one of his colleagues had the temerity to use the issue as an attack against the gay community and even allege ‘double standard,’ claiming that some straight people have been doing the same but do not get arrested, without specifically identifying who did that and when.
Pagente ought to know that no freedom is absolute. It actually ends where the rights of other people begin. Catholics and Christians felt slighted, insulted, offended and he still does not get it or is just too proud to admit that he is wrong.
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A number of individuals, even those from showbiz, were quick to jump on the controversial video showing a Quezon City policeman stopping traffic and announcing that the ‘VP’ will pass through.
It turns out though that Vice President Sara Duterte was in Mindanao. Apart from denying her involvement in the said controversy, she is also now demanding that the reason for the stoppage of traffic be identified.
Authorities say the policeman concerned misheard as ‘VP’ what the guy on the other end of his cellphone said. That guy reportedly said that a ‘VIP’ will pass by. Just the same, the cop concerned had been relieved from his post.
Now here comes a host of figures in politics and even showbiz, riding on the issue obviously for purposes of media mileage. They were just too quick to condemn VP Sara (Let me also be quick to state that I do not know Sara personally and vice versa).
Reports however have it that VP Sara was in Mindanao attending an official function when the incident happaned. Will those who dished out a mouthful against her take back what they said and apologize for their misplaced irades? I doubt.
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