Image via Philippine Daily Inquirer
Celebrities are people, too. And when it comes to the ostensibly mundane things that affects one’s daily living–whether good or bad–it’s safe to say that they are as equally affected as ordinary people.
Such is the case of Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano, who recently took to social media to express his exasperation over the country’s internet service. Valenciano did not hold back on Twitter last Oct. 1 when he aired his grievances.
“I never thought I’d ever express my frustration over the way this country’s internet service has made me feel that I’m paying a lot more than I’m actually getting,” he wrote.
“We constantly speak of progress but at times it’s the very people who can do something about it that hamper it. Sad.”
I never thought I’d ever express my frustration over the way this country’s internet service has made me feel that I’m paying a lot more than I’m actually getting. We constantly speak of progress but at times it’s the very people who can do something about it that hamper it. Sad.
— GARY VALENCIANO (@GaryValenciano1) October 1, 2018
Although he did not name names, Valenciano’s tweet has since garnered over 5,000 favorites on Twitter, seemingly echoing the sentiments of his fans.
Many took to Valenciano’s tweet to give their own take on the issue, with most able to relate to his ordeal.
“It’s true Sir, we claim to be world class, skilled, talented, smart, and we are, but somehow these traits cannot be applied to the progress of our country,” a certain Steffie (@ssforneas) said. “It’s sad when I visit other countries and say to myself Filipinos can do this, but corruption gets the best in them.”
https://twitter.com/ssforneas/status/1046897351296671744
One mom, Elizabeth (@bettybeth4), also gave her opinion, saying the internet is vital to her children’s schooling.
“My family can really relate Sir. [Especially] now that internet is very vital to school work,” the netizen said. “I have a grade 11, a grade 7 and a grade 4! Thank God they learned to take turns and have plenty of patience.”
My family can really relate Sir. Esp. now that internet is very vital to school work. I have a grade 11, a grade 7 and a grade 4! Thank God they learned to take turns and have plenty of patience. ❤️
— Elizabeth (@bettybeth4) October 2, 2018
Another, a certain Rufie (@SanchezRufie), also shared that they’ve been out of internet for the past three weeks. Although they followed up to get it fixed, all they received was the internet bill.
“Kami nga 3 weeks ng walang net and paulit ulit kaming nag follow up para maayos,” the netizen said. “And yet bill ang pinadala samin. So sad talaga dahil sayang ang binabayad sa kanila.”
Very true sir..kami nga 3 weeks ng walang net and paulit.ulit kaming nag follow up pra maayos and yet bill ang pinadala samin..so sad talaga dahil sayang ang binabayad sa kanila..
— rufie sanchez (@SanchezRufie) October 2, 2018
It’s known that when it comes to internet service, the Philippines still has a long way to go. Back in May 2017, it was shown that the Philippines had the slowest internet speed in Asia-Pacific in the fourth quarter of 2016. In the report, the country only had an average connection speed of just 4.5 Mbps, oceans removed from South Korea, which had the highest average connection speed at 29.0 Mbps.
Things slowly appear to be looking up for the country, however. Last May, it was shared that the Philippines had the most growth in the last five years in Asia-Pacific when it came to average internet speed for fixed broadband. /ra
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