Why are there so many online critics these days? Don’t they have anything else to do?
Singer and actress Regine Velasquez posted several statements last night to address her online bullies, many of whom have criticized her for leaving television network GMA for its rival ABS-CBN. She also told them to stop insulting her, her husband singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, and son Nate.
Velasquez’s situation shows how toxic Philippine fan culture has become in the age of social media.
In her first Instagram post, she took a photo of the opening billboard for Idol Philippines, which she will host.
She wrote that she’s happy for Sunday Pinasaya and Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, two GMA 7 shows that on Sunday rated higher than ABS-CBN shows ASAP and Gandang Gabi Vice, both of which she appeared on.
However, Velasquez told her critics to stop attacking her. She wrote: “Maybe you guys can stop insulting me, my husband, and my son. I just transferred to another network, I didn’t kill anyone. Again I’m grateful for my 20 years in GMA, I made a lot of friends there and [I] have great memories [of] being a Kapuso.“
Kapuso (“sharing one’s heart”) is what celebrities who work at GMA-7 are called.
In the Philippines, big-name celebrities are often bound to work with only one television network — either rivals GMA or ABS, or the less popular TV5. These networks also have their own fans who attack celebrities online if they choose to switch networks.
Velasquez, despite her stature as one of the most popular singers in the country, was lambasted by some online critics for choosing to leave GMA. Yet her decision to leave the network was not surprising since her husband, Alcasid, also left the network to work at ABS-CBN.
In another post, the singer addressed her fans and told them that she was just expressing what she felt.
In a mix of English and Filipino, she wrote: “Dear supporters, my gay troops, and friends, [T]hank you sooo much for the love, I’m feeling it so much. Please do not worry about me I’m actually ok (thanks to you guys). [B]ut there is [a] time for everything. Time to laugh, time to cry and time to love. Time to feel hurt, time to feel angry, time to fight, time for healing, and time to forgive. I think as humans we need to feel and acknowledge these feelings.”
She also said that she needed to defend herself from her critics.
She wrote: “Bullying is never ok, whatever style, shape, or form. It’s not wrong to defend ourselves especially when we are hurt. I have noticed that we have pre-conditioned our minds into thinking it’s ok (bullying) but it’s NOT. Tolerance is always good but their (sic) is a limit to everything.”
Her loyal fans remain supportive of her, such as @rechelleannsusaya7.
She wrote: “We love you sister Reg even if you’re in another network we are still with you. [E]ven if we can’t be together you are still in our hearts. Thanks for the happiness you have given us. Love, love [you].”
@rv_cuarto told Velasquez she will always have his support.
@marielensie wrote that she will forever be Velasquez’s fan. She said: “Wherever you want to work… for me hands down you are one of the best if not the best singer here in the Philippines! Your star will remain bright!”
@lheyrodrigo told Velasquez to ignore her critics. “If you will notice, many artists have already transferred to Kapamilya (ABS-CBN) but it’s only you who had this big issue and that’s because you’re popular. See it in a positive way, because they will wait to see if you are being taken cared of by the Kapamilya network.”
Kapamilya (“family member”) is what ABS-CBN’s talents are called.
What do you think about the reactions of Velasquez’ critics? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.
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