Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes in Exhibition Games in Jakarta, Indonesia

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes, "The Magician" of Billiards, visited Jakarta recently for an exhibition game with some Indonesian celebrities and for a ‘meet and greet’ with his fans.

Reyes attended the Q Billiards at Agora Mall in Central Jakarta on April 30, 2025.

The Philippine Embassy officials, led by Charge d'Affaires Gonar Musor, also joined the event, and other Filipino supporters.

Pak Alvin Gozali, the owner of Galleon Group which operates the Agora Mall and Q Billiards, said Reyes is truly the legend in billiards.

Reyes played exhibition games with billiard enthusiasts, led by Indonesian singer Delon Thamrin, Indonesian Idol 2010 Winner Igo Pentury, and Indoesian actor Bara Valentino.

Reyes is popular in Indonesia since he first played at the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in 1987.

He joked that the fans fondly call "Ompong," which means toothless.

Reyes added that Indonesia has big businesses that provide good venues for billiards. The Philippines may not have as big and well-maintained venues as Indonesia but it makes up for the many small billiard places found all over the country.