Filipinos Protest Lady Gaga Concerts

U.S. singer Lady Gaga poses for a photograph upon her arrival for her concert tour at Taipei Songshan airport in Taipei May 16, 2012. The singer will perform at two concerts on May 17 and 18 at the Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei. (Photo : REUTERS/Pichi Chuan)

Crowds of Christian Filipino youths protested at a rally Friday, demanding that Lady Gaga's performances on May 21 and 22 be cancelled. The groups objected to the anti-Christian sentiment of many of Gaga's songs as well as the nudity and often scandalous display of her performances.

Approximately 70 members of the group Biblemode Youth Philippines rallied in front of the Pasay City Hall in metropolitan Manila. They claimed to be offended by Lady Gaga's music and videos, especially her song "Judas," which they say makes a mockery of Jesus Christ.

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The protest is the latest in a series of scandals the pop diva has faced throughout her "Born This Way" Asian Tour. Fans younger than 18 were banned from her concerts in Seoul after complaints over her lurid attire and lyrics. She was later denied a concert permit in Indonesia after some Islamic protestors complained to police.

Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto also stated that in conversations with organizers he made it clear that they were to "follow the rules and regulations stipulated in the concert permit provided by the city government." The Pasay City government had summoned the organizers on Thursday to inform them of revisions to the permit it had issued on May 16 in response to the widespread concern and to ensure that no religious group was insulted during the performances.

Reports also indicate that if any violation is breached, the city government will immediately stop the May 21 performance and cancel the subsequent one completely. 

Renen de Guia, producer of Ovation Productions, which is organizing the two-day concert, made a general announcement in which he assured the general public that "the performances of Lady Gaga will not pose a threat to their sense of morality and conduct - especially the youth - as these groups have warned."

"While we respect the beliefs and positions of these organizations on certain fundamental issues concerning morality and decency ... we appeal for greater understanding and ask the public to treat the musical and theatrical acts of Lady Gaga as authentic and legitimate forms of artistic expressions which have enjoyed widespread appeal and acceptance among millions worldwide," de Guia stated.