Christian Bautista not deported from Indonesia, say handlers

(UPDATE) Christian Bautista's talent management agency STAGES has issued a denial that the singer-actor was deported from Indonesia on Friday, January 27.

In an official statement sent to Yahoo! Philippines OMG! also on Friday, STAGES said, "Christian Bautista was not deported. Whatever immigration problems encountered were legally settled. He entered Jakarta last January 25 to do a special show and guest in a TV show. In fact, Christian trended again in Indonesia because of that guesting. He is on his way to Singapore and will be back in Manila tomorrow (January 28). He will be back in Indonesia for a Valentine show at the prestigious Hotel Mulia."

Media reports in Indonesia alleged that Christian did not have a valid working visa when he performed in Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang. Christian, reports claimed, only entered the country with his Philippine passport as part of the country’s visa-free policy for foreigners from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam. Such foreigners availing of the visa-free policy must stay in Indonesia for a maximum of 30 days and should not engage in any type of professional work while in the country.

Reports further said that Indonesian authorities held Christian up for questioning while inside the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

The "Kitchen Musical” star has gained immense popularity in Indonesia and other Asian countries through his hit songs like "The Way You Look at Me.” In 2011, Christian starred in a big-budgeted Indonesian movie “Simfoni Luar Biasa” or "Jayden's Choir" that was shown in Jakarta and Manila. With reports from Maridol Ranoa-Bismark