CEBU CITY – Two more key cities in Metro Cebu have declared Amadeus Fernando Pagente persona non grata.
Pagente, better known as Luka Pura Vega, is no longer welcome in the cities of Mandaue and Talisay where separate resolutions have been approved declaring the controversial drag artist an unwanted person.
“Talisaynons are known to be deeply religious. We show this through our yearly devotion to the Santo Niño and Santa Teresa de Avila, our beloved patrons. I laud the resolution filed by our city councilors,” said Talisay Mayor Samsam Gullas.
Pagente drew heavy criticism and is facing legal charges over his controversial “Ama Namin” (The Lord’s Prayer) performance.
The resolution declaring Pagente persona non grata in Mandaue was introduced by Councilor Malcolm Sanchez, chairman of the city council Committee on Education.
In Talisay, Councilor Rodulfo Cabigas filed the resolution “condemning the blasphemous act of Amadeus Fernando Pagente, also known as Pura Luka Vega, against the Christian faith and declaring him as persona non-grata in the City of Talisay.”
Two other local government units in Central Visayas had earlier imposed a persona non grata tag on Pagente – Cebu City and the province of Bohol.
Twelve other local government units have declared Pagente as persona non grata – General Santos City, Floridablanca, Pampanga; Laguna, Manila, Bukidnon, Toboso, Negros Oriental; Nueva Ecija, Cagayan de Oro City, Occidental Mindoro, Dinagat Island, Lucena City, and Batangas City.