Filipino singer-songwriter Maki recently appeared as a guest on the popular Indonesian comedy-variety show, “Lapor Pak!”
The artist was fresh from his concert in Jakarta when he showed up at the show’s July 2 episode, starring as the “handsome police officer from the Philippines.”
There, he joined hosts Andre Taulany, Wendy Cagur, Andhika Pratama, Surya Insomnia and veteran comedian Nunung.
Clips from the episode quickly circulated online thanks to MYX Global, with Indonesian netizens praising Maki’s natural charisma, acting and his easy chemistry with the show’s hosts.
Indonesian viewers embrace Maki
He performed his hit song “Dilaw” in the show, which has gained popularity in Indonesia and across Southeast Asia.
“This is an exciting step for Maki and for Filipino music in Southeast Asia,” Marey Garcia, head of Maki’s music label Tarsier Records, said in a report by ABS-CBN News.
“Indonesia has shown us that Maki’s audience is real, young, local, and deeply engaged. His ‘Lapor Pak!’ appearance is another proof point that Filipino artists can move beyond diaspora audiences and enter broader regional pop culture conversations.”
As of this writing, MYX Global’s Facebook clips of Maki’s guest appearance have amassed 2.2 million views.
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Growing presence in Southeast Asia
The television appearance came shortly after Maki’s Jakarta stop on his “Kolorcoaster” Southeast Asian tour, which also drew coverage from Indonesian entertainment, music and lifestyle publications.
Notably, the colour-coded album surpassed one billion streams on Spotify last May.
Among the major fan favourites are “Dilaw,” “Kahel na Langit” and “Namumula.”
He performed at Bengkel Space in Jakarta on June 14 and at Singapore’s The Theatre at Mediacorp last June 13.
Maki’s team have announced additional stops in North America, Australia and New Zealand, though the dates are yet to be revealed.
Before the tour, he released his latest single, “Habangbuhay Pansamantala”, featuring Justin from SB19.
James Mario Ajero 
Wendellyn Mateo