Category Archives: Religion

Italy’s Singing Nun To Join Madonna’s Second Manila and Singapore ‘Rebel Heart’ Concerts

imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – This week, Singapore Archbishop William Goh has said that it is the Catholics’ moral obligation not to support those who denigrate and insult religions, including anti-Christian and immoral values promoted by the secular world.  He made the statement in reference to Madonna’s upcoming  ‘Rebel Heart’ concert.

“There is no neutrality in faith; one is either for or against. Being present (at these events) in itself is a counter witness. Obedience to God and His commandments must come before the arts. As the people of God, we should subscribe to authentic Arts that lead us to God through the appreciation of beauty, harmony, goodness, truth and love, respect, unity and the transcendent; and not support the ‘pseudo arts’ that promote sensuality, rebellion, disrespect, pornography, contamination of the mind of the young, abusive freedom, individualism at the expense of the common good, vulgarity, lies and half-truths,” Goh said.

In the Philippines, where Madonna staged her first of two Manila concerts last night, another archbishop, Ramon Arguelles, warned the country’s Catholic faithful to be aware of the “subtle attack of evil” and discouraged them from watching the concert.

Well, leave it to Madonna to respond in the most subtle of ways.

The queen of pop today announced that she is flying in Sister Cristina Scuccia from Italy to join her on stage during her second Manila concert as well as her concert in Singapore.

Sister Cristina, was the nun who won Italy’s version of The Voice. Since winning the competition, she has released her first single, complete with music video: a slowed-down cover of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.”

The singing nun will sing a duet with Madonna, and yes, it will be “Like a Virgin.” No pointed bras for the sister, just plain old nun’s habit.

And did we already tell you, Sister Cristina has Pope  Francis’ blessings?

http://mashable.com/2014/10/21/singing-nun-voice-like-a-virgin/#iwwOPkO0UOqw

 

 

No Truth To Rumor That Madonna Is Changing Her Name To Lucifera For Singapore Concert

imageSINGAPORE  (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – If it were up to a Roman Catholic archbishop, people should go to church instead of attending Madonna’s Sunday concert in Singapore.

Archbishop William Goh reminded Catholics that it was their “moral obligation not to support those who denigrate and insult religions, including anti-Christian and immoral values promoted by the secular world”.

“There is no neutrality in faith; one is either for or against. Being present (at these events) in itself is a counter witness. Obedience to God and His commandments must come before the arts,” he said in a statement issued by his office on Saturday.

Madonna’s Rebel Heart tour, which has an R18 rating here, has been altered slightly for the Singapore audience, with religiously-sensitive content removed.

However, The Adobo Chronicles can confirm that the rumor that Madonna is changing her name to Lucifera (female for Lucifer) just for the Singapore concert is just that — a rumor.

The queen of pop will hold two concerts in Manila this week before flying to Singapore.

Manny Pacquiao Aftermath: Filipinos Engage In Nike War

Original photo from the Internet
Original photo from the Internet

CEBU CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – In the Philippines, you are either pro-Manny Pacquiao or anti-Manny Pacquiao, and the conflict has turned to shoes.

Since Nike announced that it was severing its ties with the Filipino champion boxer after his disparaging comments comparing gay men and women to (worse than) animals, Pacquiao fans, bishops, politicians, LGBT advocates and practically people on the street have engaged in what is being called the Nike War.

In Cebu, the Queen City of the South, pro- Pacquiao actvists burned their Nike shoes in protest of the company’s move to fire Pacquiao. In Manila, mall shops selling sports shoes and paraphernalia have reported a sharp increase in Nike sales, apparently from shoppers who agree with Nike’s decision to drop Pacquiao.

Even the  Church has entered the fray, with a Filipino Evangelical bishop criticizing Nike for dropping Pacquiao, saying the megasports brand failed to consider all the heroic accomplishments of the congressman from Sarangani, including his ministry to the poor people. The bishop is calling for Filipinos to boycott Nike.

In the political arena, and unrelated to the Nike controversy,  a senatorial candidate has asked the Philippines’ electoral body, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to disqualify Pacquiao from the senatorial race because his upcoming April 9 fight with Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas would result in unfair advantage for the boxer in as far as media exposure is concerned. COMELEC rules provide for equal air time for all candidates.

Meanwhile, ADIDAS is reportedly recruiting sales reps to promote their shoes to take advantage of the ongoing Nike controversy in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, they take not only their boxers, but also their shoes , very seriously.