Filipino homosexual influencer and drag artist Pura Luka Vega released from prison 

By Edward Era Barbacena 

Drag performer Pura Luka Vega was released from police custody Saturday afternoon after posting bail.

Manila Police District spokesperson PMaj. Philipp Ines told CNN Philippines that Vega was released from the Santa Cruz Police Station at 2 p.m.

Vega, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagante, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a case filed by a group of Black Nazarene devotees over the artist's controversial performance of "Ama Namin" or the Lord's Prayer.

Based on the earlier police report, the arrest warrant against Vega was issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 36 Manila for violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, with a recommended bail of ₱72,000.

The performance, which took social media by storm last July, depicts the artist in a drag outfit meant to resemble Jesus Christ while performing a rock rendition of "Ama Namin."

Vega apologized to those who were offended by the video, but stood by it and said it was their way to "challenge notions of praise and worship" and to "heal the exclusion I [Vega] have experienced as a Catholic, as a queer person being somewhat being made to feel that I don't really belong."

Because of the performance, several cities and towns around the country have declared Vega persona non grata including Manila, where the performer was detained. The designation means a person is unwelcome in an area, but it is purely symbolic and has no legal power.