Christian Albert Soriano "Xian" Gaza[2] (born July 5, 1993[3]) is a Filipino internet personality.
Xian Gaza | |
|---|---|
| Born | Christian Albert Soriano Gaza July 5, 1993 |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Occupation |
|
| Criminal status | At-large |
| Conviction(s) | 11 counts of violation of the Bouncing Check Law (2018)[1] |
| Criminal penalty | 5 years and six months imprisonment |
| Website | |
Career
Gaza claims to be the President and CEO of Hong Kong-based Guanxiqian Group.[4][5][6] He also claims to be the founder of Gazaboy Group of Companies and Gazera Media.[6]
He first came to wider public attention in mid-2017 for publicly asking out actress Erich Gonzales for a coffee date via a billboard.
Allegations of him being a scammer arose soon after involving his ventures. This includes his averted ventures with the Haiyan Shirt Project charity project for victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) and Filipino Vines, a social media venture. This also includes his transaction with a buy-and-sell business of Ella Cruz's father where Gaza intended to buy a Fortuner.[7]
Arrest and later exile
In April 2018, a warrant of arrest was issued against Gaza for allegedly violating the Bouncing Check Law.[8] He got involved in a ₱2.6 million investment scheme involving a coffee shop with Melinda Cruz and Jaime Asuncion.[9]
Gaza admitted to scamming the couple and surrendered himself to the Malabon City police on April 12, 2018.[9] He appealed to his supporters for ₱160,000 for his bail, despite his bail bond fixed at ₱126,000.[10] He was released a day later after being able to secure funds for his bail.[11] In June 2018, he was sentenced to five years and six months of imprisonment for 11 counts of violation of the Bouncing Check Law[12]
On September 30, 2018, Gaza took a flight abroad to Hong Kong to evade arrest. His account of his supposed escape by booking multiple flights was dismissed by the Bureau of Immigration as a hoax and considered filing a case against him for making a mockery of airport procedure though admitted that he was cleared to depart the country due to having no derogatory record left on Gaza at the time.[13][14][15]
Xian Coin
| Denominations | |
|---|---|
| Code | XNC |
| Development | |
| Original author(s) | Philippine Pacific Holdings Company Ltd. |
| Initial release | July 2020 |
| Website | |
| Website | www |
In 2021, Gaza released his own cryptocurrency which he dubbed as the Xian Coin (XNC). The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued an advisory in June 2021 against the venture.[16] The SEC concludes that XNC indicates a Ponzi scheme.[17] In December 2021, the SEC has filed a cease and desist order against the venture.[18]
It is powered through the Ethereum blockchain and is traded exclusively by its holders. It is purportedly exchangeable to Colombian peso, Mexican peso, Brazilian real, Peruvian sol and Philippine peso.[17][19] It is associated with the blockchain game Surreal Estate.[20]
Personal life
Gaza is known for asking out various celebrities for a date. In 2017, Gaza asked actress Erich Gonzales for a coffee date through a billboard.[21] Amused at first, Gonzales eventually rejected Gaza's advances after controversies about him arose.[22][23][24] In 2020, he attempted to win Nadine Lustre's affection by sending her a red Ford Mustang sports car.[25] In 2021, he rented a billboard in Seoul to put up an advertisement asking Blackpink member Jennie for a date. Fans of the K-pop artist were critical of the move.[26][27]
References
- ^ "Feeling hopeless: Xian Gaza sentenced to 5 years in jail for bouncing checks". RAPPLER. June 29, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
- ^ Nardo, Jun (April 11, 2018). "Tumangay ng milyun-milyon lalaking na-link kina Ella at Erich, wanted!" [Man who swept millions linked to Ella and Erich, wanted!]. Pang-Masa (in Filipino). Philippine Star. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Pereña, Triz (June 26, 2022). "Xian Gaza, viral dahil sa photo ng kanyang elementary yearbook" [Xian Gaza, viral because of photo in his elementary yearbook]. Kami.com.ph. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Xian Gaza all smiles behind bars - The Filipino Times". Filipino Times. April 12, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Adel, Rosette (July 4, 2017). "'Kilig' or overly 'creepy'? Coffee date billboard invite earns mixed reactions". Philippine Star. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ a b "Billboard suitor Xian Gaza: CEO or scammer?". Rappler. July 7, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard suitor Xian Gaza answers 'scammer' claims". Rappler. July 4, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Xian Gaza, pinaaaresto dahil sa mga investment 'scam'" [Xian Gaza, asked to be arrested due to investment 'scams']. ABS-CBN News (in Filipino). April 10, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (April 13, 2018). "'Billboard suitor' Xian Gaza admits to P2.6 million scam". Philippine Star. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Patag, Kristine Joy (April 13, 2018). "Another scam? Xian Gaza asks help for P160K despite bail bond fixed at P126K". Philippine Star. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Guno, Niña V. (April 15, 2018). "Xian Gaza set free, sells orange 'surrender' shirt for P9,000". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Guno, Niña V. (June 28, 2018). "Xian Gaza sentenced to five years in jail". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "BI says it is studying possible action vs. Xian Gaza for 'fake news' on evading arrest and fleeing PH". CNN Philippines. April 8, 2019. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Xian Gaza pinaghahanap na ng PNP; kaso laban dito pinag-aaralan na ng BI" [Xian Gaza being searched by the PNP; case against him being considered by the BI]. RPN (in Filipino). Radio Philippines Network, Inc. DWIZ. April 8, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "BI dismisses Xian Gaza 'evasion' post as hoax; DOJ orders probe". Philippine News Agency. April 8, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Valmonte, Keren Concepcion (June 6, 2021). "SEC flags Gaza's digital currency Xian Coin". BusinessWorld. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ a b "SEC warns public vs 'Xian Coin'". Philippine Information Agency. Securities and Exchange Commission. June 28, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Valmonte, Keren Concepcion (November 26, 2021). "SEC issues halt order against Gaza's Xian Coin - BusinessWorld Online". BusinessWorld. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ "SEC warns public vs 'Xian Coin' of 'Coffee Date' scammer Xian Gaza". Sunstar. June 14, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Xian Gaza kay Pacman: Ako po ay sobrang nainsulto at nabastusan". Bandera. Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 25, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ "Erich Gonzales reacts to businessman's billboard date proposal". Rappler. July 3, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Abanilla, Clarizel (July 17, 2017). "'CappucciNO': Erich Gonzales finally rejects Xian Gaza". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Siazon, Rachelle (July 17, 2017). "Billboard suitor Xian Gaza grieves over Erich Gonzales's rejection". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard suitor admits past love for Ella Cruz, addresses 'scammer' allegations". Interaksyon. July 7, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Garcia, Cara Emmeline (February 11, 2020). "LOOK: Infamous Xian Gaza is back to woo another actress". GMA Entertainment. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Sng, Suzanne (November 4, 2021). "Blackpink fans alarmed after Filipino influencer asks Jennie out via $40,000 billboard". The Straits Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Hae-rin (November 5, 2021). "Filipino fan puts billboard ad to get BLACKPINK Jennie's attention". Korea Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.