‘Blasphemous’: Church, solons livid over video

The Catholic Church has slammed as “blasphemous and disrespectful” the use of Jesus Christ’s image and costume for entertainment purposes.

Lawmakers also joined the chorus in condemning the video of a certain Pura Luka Vega wearing clothes to depict Jesus Christ at a party while singing the punk rock version of “Ama Namin” or The Lord’s Prayer.

It went viral on social media, mustering millions of views in a country that is predominantly Catholic.

The country’s first transgender legislator, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, called on fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community to “umayos kayo” (fix yourselves), saying that her being “offended” by the video was an understatement.

But the drag performer himself said that his performance as Jesus meant no disrespect.

“I’d like to stress that my drag performance as Jesus was not meant to disrespect anyone. On the contrary, it is a drag art interpretation of worship,” Vega said.

“I was very intentional of using a specific song and the symbolism to relate the queer crowd with the intersection of queerness and religion,” he explained.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri bewailed what he described as a “blasphemous and offensive” video showing people in a club making a mockery of the Christian faith and disrespecting The Lord’s Prayer. 

Zubiri called on the authorities to investigate the video for the possible filing of charges.

He said a criminal charge can be filed under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes those who “offend any race or religion in the performance of obscene or indecent plays, scenes, acts or shows in theaters, fairs, or any other place.”

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III castigated Vega and told him to think of some other way to make himself known.

For her part, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, an avowed supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community, said she finds the video regrettable but cautioned against using the incident to deny rights and protections to “a community that has long been marginalized and excluded.”

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito also strongly condemned the act which he described as a blasphemy. “This disrespects my faith. This went overboard,” he said.

In a statement, Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs (CBCP-ECPA), noted that the act bordered on “mockery and profanity.”

“Dancing to the tune of a sacred and Biblical prayer, with matching sacred costume to boot, is completely disrespectful not only of people and institutions practicing such faith but of God Himself,” Secillano stressed.

The questioned video showed former Drag Den Philippines contestant Vega wearing makeup and a costume resembling Jesus Christ while dancing to the tune of The Lord’s Prayer.

The July 10 post on Twitter registered over 13 million views, 7,551 likes, and 980 retweets.

Secillano said people must be “extremely prudent” with their acts, especially those that will involve elements of religion and faith.

“Faith and sacred objects are not for entertainment purposes. They are useful for channeling our deepest desire to have recourse to the Divine,” he said.

CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Liturgy chairperson and Capiz Archbishop Victor Bendico said any kind of blasphemy against the Lord “is not acceptable.”

“May God have mercy on him. The sacred liturgy is a sacred celebration where God encounters his people through his word and the sacraments,” the prelate said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

“The liturgical celebrations of the Church should glorify God and not dishonor God. They are meant to sanctify people and not People will blaspheme,” Bendico emphasized.

He lamented that the use of clothes and prayers in activities that do not glorify God is blasphemy.

“God is present there whenever the word of God is read, through the person of the minister, whenever people are gathered in His name and in the Body and Blood of Christ. These teachings alone of the Liturgical Constitution of Vatican 2 are clear indications that the liturgical celebrations should be respected,” Bendico explained.

While some quarters defended Vega saying his act was a form of art, most observers were critical, saying it was a “desecration and blasphemy to Christians,” particularly because the majority of the Filipinos are Catholic.

Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman was disappointed over the video, saying it did not help their call to respect the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

She also reminded those who cite the constitutional right to free expression that such freedom was not absolute.

“Do we really need this kind of provocation? What does this contribute to advancing LGBT rights?” said Roman, a transgender female.

“Your rights end where the rights of others begin. Umayos kayo,” she also said, adding such acts “do not help the cause for acceptance and equality.”

Roman also reached out to Catholics who are offended by the incident.

Zubiri pointed out that the “blasphemous act” during an art event in Quezon City merits condemnation not only by Christians but people of all religions whose practice of their faith should not be mocked for private gain or for a few theatrical laughs.

“In my opinion, this is the height of the misuse and abuse of our freedom of expression that borders on criminal activity,” Zubiri said in a statement.

He said he was totally dismayed when he saw the video.

“My first reaction in this video was intense dismay and anger,” the senator said.

“For billions of Christians, The Lord’s Prayer is one of our most solemn prayers during the Holy Eucharist, and to take it out of this context of worship, and use it as material for a comedy bar, is highly insensitive,” he pointed out.

As a devout Catholic, Zubiri said they have been taught to accord respect to all religions, in a society that respects ecumenism.

“I hope that this behavior will not be repeated in the future,” said Zubiri as he called everyone to respect each other’s beliefs, religious or otherwise, because that is how we build a kinder and gentler society,” he added.

“He should not resort to gimmickry which offends religious beliefs just to get the attention of the public,” stressed Pimentel.

He also exhorted the public not to let this guy profit from his despicable work.

Senate opposition leader Pimentel also pointed out that the true test of creativity is in gaining the admiration of people thru the brilliance of the work.

“Creativity is not about being brave enough to offend people,” he said.

At the same time, he called on those interested in suing Vega to study their legal grounds.

Pimentel said the “Ama Namin” hymn was not appropriate for that occasion.