Project Semicolon, an American non-profit, launched the use of the punctuation mark as a symbol to provide support to those struggling with mental illness.
Following her teen brother’s death, Nadine Lustre has used the semicolon and hashtag #KeepGoing to comfort those battling with mental health.
Image: Instagram/@nadine
READ: 13 Reasons why you should #KeepGoing
Piolo Pascual (left) and Toni Gonzaga in “Last Night”. Image: Star Cinema
The movie stars Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga, two individuals who, in their attempts to kill themselves, find love in a hopeless place.
Star Cinema has since used the semicolon on a promotional material for the movie “Last Night”.
On Twitter, the copy of the material uses a semicolon and then the message, “Hindi ka nag-iisa dahil laging may nagmamahal sa’yo.” (You are not alone because you are always loved.)
You are not alone. #LastNightMovie pic.twitter.com/TkTj2KekVM
— Star Cinema (@StarCinema) October 14, 2017
Netizens on Twitter have expressed the use of the semi-colon as “offensive” and “distasteful”.
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@starcinema
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@starcinema
Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@starcinema
The contention isn’t that the movie is raising mental health awareness; it’s that the symbol is being used for commercial purposes.
Star Cinema has still kept the tweet despite negative responses to it.
“Last Night”, written by Bela Padilla and directed by Joyce Bernal, has received mixed reviews for its representation of suicide.
Scenes where the characters attempt suicide turn into something cutesy between the two instead, as observed by some viewers and critics. However, Pascual maintains that the movie does not “romanticize suicide.”
READ: Piolo-Toni film ‘Last Night’ doesn’t romanticize suicide
Celebrities and mental health
Mental health has become a hot-button issue in the country when Joey de Leon proclaimed on national television that it is only “made up.”
READ: ‘Eat Bulaga’s’ Joey de Leon apologizes for depression comments
While de Leon has apologized for his remarks, celebrities have come forward with their struggles against depression, including Ryan Agoncillo and Lustre. Others have used “#KeepGoing ;” in social media posts to express support for mental health awareness. JB
For anyone who requires emotional crisis assistance, contact the suicide prevention hotline HOPELINE at 09175584673 / 02-8044673 / and 2919 toll free for Globe/TM subscribers.
RELATED STORY:
Nadine Lustre Opens Up About Depression