General Santos City has declared Pura Luka Vega as “persona non grata,” effectively meaning that she is no longer welcome in the city. The decision comes after the local government found her viral “Ama Namin” remix to be “clearly offensive” to the Christian community.
The local Christian community in General Santos City supported the government’s declaration, expressing their disapproval of Pura Luka Vega’s performance.
The controversial “Ama Namin” remix drew significant criticism on social media, with some people calling it “blasphemous.”
In response to the backlash, Pura Luka Vega defended her performance. She asserted that her intention was not to be disrespectful and that the song served as a way to reconcile her Catholic faith with her queerness. For her, performing the song in public was a portrayal of “God’s love for all.”
Her statement conveyed a desire to create a narrative that Jesus, representing God’s love, does not overlook the oppressed, including the LGBTQIA+ community.
However, she also acknowledged that some people viewed her performance as offensive or regrettable.
As of now, Pura Luka Vega has not provided further comments on the “persona non grata” status declared by General Santos City. The controversy surrounding her performance raises discussions on the boundaries between artistic expression and religious sensitivities.
