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Has Pura Luka Vega requested financial assistance for her court case?

Entertainment | Celebrities

Has Pura Luka Vega requested financial assistance for her court case?

By Robert Requintina

At A Glance

"Tell me exactly what I did wrong. I'm open for a dialogue and yet cities have been declaring persona non grata without even knowing me or understanding the intent of the performance. Drag is art. You judge me yet you don't even know me," tweeted Pura on Aug. 10.

Pura Luka Vega (Images courtesy of Facebook)

Did Pura Luka Vega, a Filipino drag queen, ask for financial help for her court trial in September?

In a Facebook post titled "We Need Your Help More Than Ever" on Aug. 24, the Philippine Drag Updates reported that Pura requested financial support for her September court appearance.

The full post:

"Pura Luka Vega seeks financial support as she faces trial this September.

“Your donations will go to Luka’s family and transport/food for their court dates this September.

"Vega has recently become the center of attention in numerous cities, facing the status of persona non grata for her viral drag performance of ‘Ama Namin.

"For GCash donations, you may scan the QR code below."

Pura has been declared persona non grata in several cities, including Manila, General Santos City; Floridablanca, Pampanga; Toboso, Negros Occidental and Bulacan.

"Tell me exactly what I did wrong. I’m open for a dialogue and yet cities have been declaring persona non grata without even knowing me or understanding the intent of the performance. Drag is art. You judge me yet you don’t even know me," tweeted Pura on Aug. 10.

Luka's drag performance has sparked a reaction from various local figures.

"This is the height of misuse and abuse of our freedom of expression that borders on criminal activity," said Senate President Miguel Zubiri.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros commented: "As a woman of faith, I admit I personally find this regrettable. Alam ko madami ding miyembro ng LGBTQIA+ community, persons of faith among them, find this regrettable."

"This is blasphemy. This disrespects my faith. This went overboard," said Senator JV Ejercito.

Rep. Geraldine Roman (Bataan, 1st district) told ABS-CBN: "As a Catholic, I feel offended. Your rights end where the rights of others begin. Umayos kayo." Roman is the first transgender woman elected to Congress.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said it would not take legal action against Pura's performance of “Ama Namin”.

“Palagay ko yung ganitong mga bagay, sapat na muna na naiparating namin yung mensahe at na-address namin yung publiko. Palagay ko yung mga legal na hakbang wala pa naman sa horizon," said Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary to the CBCP Commission on Public Affairs, in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

But a coalition of Christian church leaders has filed charges against Pura over his viral "Ama Namin" performance.

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