Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@itspokwang27
Filipinos have varying opinions when it comes to having a foreigner for a husband or a wife. Some have a positive outlook on these kinds of relationships, with those even considering it as an achievement of sorts to be chosen by a foreigner. Others have a negative opinion because of the prevailing societal belief that either the foreigner or the Filipino is using the other for economic gain, or perhaps for purely sexual reasons.
Pokwang, who has been with her American partner Lee O’Brian since 2015, addressed such negative opinions regarding their relationship in an Instagram post on Friday, June 15. Uploading an old, sweet picture of them taken at The Ruins in Negros Occidental, the comedian asserted that they are happy in their relationship and that they are thankful to those who have been against them, since this gives them a reason for their relationship to be further strengthened.
The actress wrote: “#flashbackfriday #theruins may mga tao talagang hindi masaya sa kailgayahan ng kapwa, may panghuhusga,panglalait, pero basta kami masaya at nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng biyaya lalo na sa aming nabuong pamilya kay @malia_obrian at @maesubongsila ang aming kaligayahan at dahilan para maging matatag sa mga hindi masaya para samin, salamat kasi mas pinagtitibay nyo kami”
(There really are people who are not pleased with other people’s happiness — there is the inevitable judgment, contempt. But for us, we are happy and thankful for all the blessings we receive, particularly our newly-formed family. To our daughters, [Malia O’Brian] @malia_obrian and [Mae Subong] @maesubongsila, they are our happiness and reason to be strong. To those who are not happy for us, thank you for strengthening our relationship even more.)
Apparently, Pokwang’s post was made after a netizen left a comment regarding her relationship with O’Brian, the comment having been offensive to the comedian and posted on their daughter Malia’s Instagram page.
On Thursday, June 14, a photo of Malia alongside Karla Estrada and her daughter, Carmela Ford, was posted on the infant’s official Instagram account.
A netizen, Elsa Smith (longliveels), commented: “Asawa ni pokwang puti nga pero palamunin naman nya… wawa naman pokwang sya pa nag wo work ang asawa wla lang...”
(Pokwang’s husband is white but she’s the one who feeds him. Pokwang is pitiful because she is the one working while her husband does nothing.)
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@malia_obrian
Pokwang did not hold back in her fiery response against the commenter. “@longliveels ano problema mo?” asked the comedian. “Ikaw ba nagpapalamon? kung wala kang kaligayahan sa buhay sa impierno ka pumunta!”
(What is your problem? Are you the one who feeds him? If you don’t have happiness in your life, go to hell!)
Pokwang’s reply did not end there. The comedian fought on: “Tapos kapag sumagot at lumaban kaming artista sa mga pangdafaot nyo sasabihin nyo agad masama pala ugali ng artista? ano? Kayo lang may karapatan masaktan at sumagot? Hunghang! eto lang masasabi ko bilang tao at hindi ako Dios! P*T*NG IN* M* *L*L!!!”
(When us, artists, would reply on your bashings, you say we have bad attitude. Are you the only one with the right to retort? Fool! This all what I am going to say as a human being and I am not God! [expletive] Fool!)
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@malia_obrian
Just like non-celebrities, artists have limitations when it comes to accepting rude messages — particularly if a negative comment is specifically aimed at their family and loved ones. Even a comedian like Pokwang cannot just laugh off everything. JB
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