By Atty. Howie Calleja
Speaking to those offended by his viral drag version of the religious prayer “Ama Namin (Our Father)”, Pura Luka Vega stressed that the performance was not meant for those in religious uproar over the video. Thus, in a Twitter message he stressed: “I understand that people call my performance blasphemous, offensive or regrettable. However, they shouldn’t tell me how I practice my faith or how I do my drag. That performance was not for you to begin with. It is my experience and my expression, of having been denied my rights.”
Let me be clear, such video arguing the “freedom of expression” is a filmed performance depicting Pura dressed as a breezy Christ in shining garb, with a crown of golden sunrays on his head, boogying and fluttering to a crowd of spectators who were also taking their video and twirling to an upbeat version of “Ama Namin” (The Lord’s Prayer). In one part of the video, they appeared to be making the sign of the cross as they bobbled their heads to the music.
So, besides the possibility the artist being charged for violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows” with six to 12 years imprisonment and a fine ranging from P20,000 to P200,000 or both. The underlying question would be, is this truly an act which is protected under the freedom of expression? Or a better question would be is, “is the freedom of expression absolute?”
According to the CHR, the right to free speech and expression has its limits, based on both domestic and international law. As such it stressed that “Under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Philippines is a state-party, the freedom of expression carries restrictions, such as respect for the rights or reputations of others, national security, public order, public health and public morals”. The freedom of one ends, when the freedom of another begins. When we invoke the freedom of expression, we have to be responsible in exercising it, cognizant of the fact that such rights are not absolute vis-a-vis the common good.
So, when PUBLIC MORALS are juxtaposed with your claims of personal expression, we must always think twice. Fr. Jerome Secilliano of the CBCP succinctly puts it. “People should be extremely prudent in their actions especially with regards to using elements of religion and faith for secular purposes. If not used properly, such actions border 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. Faith and sacred objects are not for entertainment purposes. They are useful for channeling our deepest desire to have recourse to the Divine.”
Before I end, let me also be clear that Homophobic remarks which flooded Twitter after Pura Luka Vega’s video was posted went viral with more than 18 million views on Twitter (as of posting time) with statements like, “Sa impyerno kang bakla ka! (Go to hell, you gay!)” or “Ulol kang bastos ka! (Rude person, you fool!)” is also uncalled for. Sensibilities were offended but we should never likewise stoop down to the same level of profanity and lower discourse this person would like to drag us equally into.