Described as a “multi-platinum-selling singer and actor,” Christian Bautista was reported in a website in Indonesia as having been “escorted to a plane and sent back to the Philippines” last Friday night, Jan. 27, “after violating the terms of his visa by giving a performance in Indonesia” where he’s considered a superstar.
The report quoted an immigration official as saying that Christian was “being deported for disrespecting and disobeying Indonesia’s 30-day visa regulations, which prohibit foreigners from working while in the country” and that Christian was “also barred from re-entering Indonesia for six months.”
“I was not deported,” Christian clarified in his Twitter.
“Christian was assured by the Indonesian immigration official that he was not being deported,” added somebody close to Christian.
Christian has been going to Indonesia for TV guesting, concert and album promo these past five years and it was the first time that something like that happened.
He left for Indonesia last Wednesday, Jan. 25, for a show and TV guesting, confident that his visa was in order, only to be questioned upon his arrival at the airport because he wasn’t carrying a working visa.
“But he was allowed to go on with the show and the TV guesting,” explained the somebody close to Christian. “Then, the Indonesian media got wind of what happened and the story broke, prompting the immigration to call him back. Christian had to cancel one more show scheduled Thursday night, Jan. 26.”
The report said that his passport was confiscated when it was discovered that he had staged a performance in Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang, Wednesday night, Jan. 25, although he still appeared on TransTV Thursday night, Jan. 26. The announcement that he was being deported came on Friday, Jan. 27, the day Christian left Indonesia for Singapore on a connecting flight to Manila.
Obviously, those behind Christian’s trip were remiss on something, maybe unwittingly. The report quoted the immigration official as saying that Christian had traveled to Indonesia numerous times on a work visa, “but this time, the sponsor did not fully understand the immigration regulations so (Christian) used the free visa.”
“If Christian was deported,” said the somebody close to him, “he would have been debriefed when he arrived in Manila on Saturday, Jan. 28, from Singapore after staying there overnight. His sponsor (in Indonesia) should do the explaining to the Indonesian immigration.”
Christian is scheduled to perform in a Valentine show in Indonesia on Feb. 14, but it remains a big question mark if he’s going.
Meanwhile, as we go to press, there’s a report that the Indonesian immigration officials were having a meeting to sort out the issue.
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Have the few days that they’ve been shooting for Nandito Ako, the TV5 soap where they are cast as sweetheart, brought David Archuleta and Jasmine Curtis-Smith closer not just as friends but, uhm, more than just friends?
It seems so.
According to Funfare’s VDPA (Very Deep Penetration Agent), last Saturday night during Jasmine’s big sister Anne Curtis’ Annebisyosa show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where Jasmine performed as guest, David sneaked in backstage “incognito” as a show of support for Jasmine.
“David had a heart-to-heart talk with Jasmine before she went onstage,” recounted the VDPA. “Then, he quietly proceeded to the SRO area of the audience and tried to blend in as best as he could, still ‘incognito.’ Some fans did recognize David but he tried hard not to draw attention to himself.”
After Jasmine was done with her number, David congratulated her and left to go to recording.
Filipinos love David for being down-to-earth, unassuming, and really nice and sweet, and not having any airs at all.
Why, one time he even took a jeepney to visit a wet market, trying to be “incognito” even if he was highly recognizable.
What’s up?
• Calling all UST High School Class 1967 to their 45th Jubilee reunion (Sapphire anniversary) tonight at 6:30 in Barrio Fiesta, EDSA, in front of Corinthian Gardens, Quezon City. Fun and surprises amid nostalgia await those who will attend. Bring any high school memento and win special prizes. Batch mates who are based abroad are attending. For inquiries, call or text Delia Castañeda (02)861-5381 or 0939-9147588, Mimi del Rosario-Garcia at 0917-8545774 or Vic dela Dingco at 0917-8428672.
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.) - FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)
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