Filipino drag artist Pura Luka Vega or Amadeus Fernando Pagente was declared persona non grata in the City of Manila on Wednesday, August 9.

The city government said the resolution was unanimously approved by the Manila City Council last Tuesday, August 8.

The declaration is in response to the video where she performed an Ama Namin remix to a cheering crowd at a local bar while wearing a Black Nazarene-inspired costume.

The video went viral on social media, earning criticisms from Catholics and religious leaders who condemned the act as "blasphemous."

To be declared as persona non grata means Vega is no longer welcome in Manila. 

Fifth District Councilor Ricardo “Boy” Isip, who principally authored the resolution, pointed out that the drag artist's actions were reckless and disrespectful.

“Ito pong taong ito ay walang habas at di man lang pinag-isipan ang kanyang ginawa… Isang kalapastangan po ang kanyang ginawang palabas. Hindi po dapat itong palagpasin kasi pag pinalagpas natin ito, baka maparisan po ito. Kailangan na po nating gumawa ng aksyon (This person was reckless and didn't even think about what he was doing. What he did was grossly disrespectful. We should not let it pass because if we do, it will set a precedent for others. We need to take action now),” said Isip.

Other members of the council stood up to manifest their unqualified support for the resolution.

Second District Councilor Ruben “Dr. J” Buenaventura, in his sponsorship speech, said Vega lacks self-respect. 

"Kung gusto mong makatanggap ng respeto, respetuhin mo ang sarili mo (If you want to receive respect, you must respect yourself)," he said.

Fifth District Councilor Jaybee Hizon explained the importance of the Black Nazarene in the City of Manila. 

He said Quiapo, Manila is the site where the Black Nazarene Feast, also known as the Traslación, is annually held.

Hizon also emphasized that freedom of speech should not be used to offend religious beliefs.

Manila is the fourth local government to declare the drag artist persona non grata, after General Santos City in South Cotabato, Floridablanca in Pampanga, and Toboso in Negros Occidental.