ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/14/2010
Posts: 78,921
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Lady Gaga could break Philippines law
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Gaga’s Philippines show to be watched closely for hints of blasphemy, devil worship, nudity
Lady Gaga is set to rock the Philippines later Monday amid planned street protests and with censors in the house on orders to report any hint of blasphemy, devil worship, nudity or lewd conduct.
Ignoring the outrage of conservative Christians, up to 40,000 fans in the Catholic-majority nation have snapped up tickets of up to 15,840 pesos ($370) each to watch the U.S. singer perform in Manila on Monday and Tuesday.
Lady Gaga’s “The Born This Way Ball” world tour has been dogged by controversy in Asia, with an upcoming concert in Muslim-majority Indonesia cancelled on police orders for fear of violence from religious hardliners.
In the Philippines, Catholic leader Archbishop Ramon Arguelles urged the public to boycott her two concerts. “Her fans are in danger of falling into the clutches of Satan,” he told reporters.
Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza said he was not against Lady Gaga herself but only against “certain acts and passages” in her songs and music videos. This included the use of a crucifix in “a very denigrating manner” as well as one of her songs “where she is belittling Jesus Christ himself and praising Judas as heroic,” he told AFP.
“We respect freedom of expression in this country. We also appreciate art and culture... but the laws should be respected.”
Local authorities in Pasay said they had worked out a deal to permit the show while addressing the clamor of Christian conservatives, including about 500 who held a rally near the Arena venue on Sunday.
Censors will be in the audience to monitor possible violations of a law against “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows,” said Glenn Agranzamendez, secretary to Pasay mayor Tony Calixto.
“He already formed two teams to monitor what will be shown at the concert and to file a report on the following day,’ Agranzamendez told AFP.
The mayor could cancel the Tuesday concert if the monitors find that Monday night's show “exhibited any lewd act or any act that would be offensive to religious belief.”
Under Philippine law, people found guilty of taking part in or sponsoring "indecent shows" can be jailed for up to six years.
“We will keep an open mind at the concert and we will be as objective as possible,” the aide added.
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Despite the warning, Lady Gaga went ahead and performed "Judas" along with these speeches:
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"I'm not an alien. I'm not a woman. I'm not a man.
I'm not a creature of your government, Manila.
I'm all you dreams. I'm all your potential. Let me be all your insecurities and your fears.
I'm your future. Everything that makes you sad/angry. I'm you, little monsters.
Tonight's not a statement. Tonight's us coming together because we believe we were all born this way."
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"Some people say I stand for things that are bad.
The truth is, I want the best for every single one of you. My lifestyle is like one whole performance of liberation... for those of you who aren't free. Take this opportunity to free yourself."
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We may get a Trilogy after all.
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Not again.
