PHNO-SB: LADY GAGA IN MANILA: PASAY TO MONITOR HER 2-DAY CONCERT AT SM MALL

LADY GAGA IN MANILA: PASAY TO MONITOR HER 2-DAY
CONCERT AT SM MALL

MANILA, MAY 18, 2012
(PHILSTAR) By Perseus Echeminada and AP - The Pasay City
government will deploy personnel to monitor the two-day show of US pop star Lady
Gaga at the SM Mall of Asia Arena next week to ensure that rules stipulated in
the concert permit will be observed.
Mayor Antonino Calixto said the move was in res-ponse to a warning raised in
a letter by former Manila mayor Lito Atienza and lawyer Romulo Macalintal that
Lady Gaga may be penalized or even arrested if she sings her controversial song
"Judas," which they believe mocks Jesus Christ.
"Although we respect artistic and musical expressions, I won't allow anyone
or any group to provide acts which may be questionable in a way at any venue
under my jurisdiction. We reminded the producers of Lady Gaga's concert that the
show and the event as a whole shall not exhibit any nudity or lewd conduct which
may be offensive to morals and good customs," Calixto said.
"I have instructed all the concerned departments of the city government to
closely monitor the two-night event. I formed an inspection team headed by our
legal officer to monitor the concert," Calixto said.
About 200 Christian youths marched in Manila for a second straight day
yesterday, holding placards urging the pop singer to "respect our faith, stop
the blasphemy."
Riot police stopped protesters about a kilometer away from the concert venue.
Phalanxes of security guards stood on alert in front of the arena.
The Biblemode Youth Philippines members plan to hold a vigil starting today
near the concert venue. They said they are offended by Lady Gaga's music,
particularly her song "Judas."
"She declared a distorted view toward Jesus Christ and for us Biblical
Christians it is offensive," said Ruben Abante, a protest leader. "Her music and
everything about her is different from what our values are."
Organizers from Ovation Productions said they respect the beliefs of critics
but promised that the performances "will not pose a threat to their sense of
morality and conduct."
Under Philippine law, people who make offensive remarks on another's race or
religion can be sentenced to up to six years in prison, although no one has been
convicted recently.
FROM THE INQUIRER
Lady Gaga arrives in Manila Lady Gaga arrives in Manila
By: Tina Santos Associated Press, Philippine Daily Inquirer May 19,
2012 | 8:46
[PHOTO-Lady Gaga arrives at Makati Shangri-la in Makati City Saturday
night for her Manila leg of 'Born This Way.' ARNOLD
ALMACEN/INQUIRER]
MANILA, Philippines—American pop singer Lady Gaga arrived in Manila Saturday
night amid protest against her two-day "Born This Way" concert.
Airport authorities said the controversial singer arrived at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport on board a private plane around 7:30 p.m.
Hundreds of Christian protesters marched for the second day Saturday in
Manila to demand a ban on Lady Gaga's upcoming concerts, claiming her lyrics
were anti-Christian.
About 50 riot police blocked a major Manila intersection to stop the marchers
from reaching SM Mall of Asia Arena where the American singer is due to perform
on Monday and Tuesday.
Lady Gaga has already faced opposition elsewhere on the Asia leg of her tour,
including in Indonesia where police denied her show a permit amid threats from
Islamic hardliners.
The Philippines is a deeply-religious Catholic majority country and many of
the demonstrators Saturday were from the group Biblemode International, whose
founder said Lady Gaga's lyrics were blasphemous.
Baptist preacher Benny Abante, a former member of the Philippine Congress
said the song "Judas" mocked Jesus Christ.
"You can't just say, 'Okay, I'm an artist, I'll make an artistic
expression'," Abante told about 300 fellow protesters.
"You stomp on our Lord while saying you're a fame hooker, you're a prostitute
wench," he said referring to the lyrics of the song.
In a statement the group called on President Benigno Aquino to stop the
concerts "as this is a direct affront to the moral and religious values that our
nation has been known for".
Aquino's spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the national government did not wish
to wade into the issue.
The city government has already warned Lady Gaga to refrain from nudity, lewd
conduct and blasphemy when her Asian tour reaches the Philippines, and said
inspectors will be at the venue to ensure she does not overstep the mark.
Renen de Guia, president of the Lady Gaga concert's local promoters Ovation
Productions, said those who have purchased concert tickets were well aware her
performance was all for fun.
"People have the freedom to express themselves artistically," he said.
"Those who oppose what Lady Gaga is doing are not being forced to watch the
concert," he had said on ABS-CBN television on Friday.
In Indonesia Islamic hardliners said they were ready to die to stop Lady Gaga
from performing in June. And during the star's concert in Seoul in March a
Christian group vowed to take action to stop young people from being "infected
with homosexuality and pornography".
But Lady Gaga has so far failed to tone down her performances, riding on to
the stage on a mechanical horse, wearing a black bodysuit and an enormous black
metal headpiece.



Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

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