Alex Gonzaga called out for new vlog disclaimer
Image: Instagram/@cathygonzaga
Actress Alex Gonzaga recently drew flak for a vlog that saw her drop a joke about drug addicts, an act that has since been called out by netizens as insensitive as it allegedly makes fun of drug addicts and drug-related killings.
Gonzaga apologized last Friday, Oct. 5, for her humor, especially to netizens who found her joke insensitive and annoying.
Due to this recent calling out, Gonzaga has taken a measure in the form of a reminder that her vlogs are just for fun and entertainment. Her latest vlog last Oct. 10, a Chubby Bunny challenge, saw a disclaimer in the beginning of the video, which warned her viewers to watch at their own risk.
“WARNING. Watch at your own risk. This vlog is for entertainment purposes only. Not political, not religious, not thing,” it read.
Eto na new VLOG!!! Chubby Bunny challenge may pasabog dito!!! Watch here: https://t.co/ANZsRhXA0P 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/kt2JNbun80
— Alex Gonzaga (@Mscathygonzaga) October 11, 2018
Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Ms Alex Gonzaga
Gonzaga’s attempt in warning her viewers of her videos’ purposes, however, seemed to have backfired, as even more netizens have called her out for it.
A certain Bryle Leano took to Twitter on Oct. 11 where he called out Gonzaga for her video disclaimer and the sensitivity (or seeming lack thereof) in her vlogs.
“So, hindi siya sincere do’n sa mga pag-sorry niay at iba pang mga replies?” the netizen wrote. “Maygad, sobrang arogante. Tinuturuan nga siya ng sensitivity kasi maraming concerned sa content niya para mas mapaganda, ta’s ito ang isasagot niya.”
Okay, officially, Alex Gonzaga is cancelledt. So, hindi siya sincere do'n sa mga pag-sorry niya at iba pang mga replies? Maygad, sobrang arogante. Tinuturuan nga siya ng sensitivity kasi maraming concerned sa content niya para mas mapaganda, ta's ito ang isasagot niya. Haisxt. pic.twitter.com/xJ73OPxm3e
— bryle (@BryleLeano) October 11, 2018
The netizen continued with his sentiments, saying that Gonzaga cannot silence those who call her out and that she is being criticized so she’ll learn.
“Kaya ka pinuna para matuto hindi ‘yon sa pagmamasama sayo,” he said. “Out of the legit concerns, ginawa mong ‘katatawanan.’ Kaya di tayo umuunlad kasi sa thinking na ‘kung ayaw mo di wag kang manood’ despite the fact na malawak kasi ang reach mo.”
Hindi mo pwedeng patahimikin ang namumuna sayo.Kaya ka pinuna para matuto hindi 'yon sa pagmamasama sayo.Out of the legit concerns, ginawa mong "katatawanan".Kaya di tayo umuunlad kasi sa thinking na "kung ayaw mo di wag kang manood"despite the fact na malawak kasi ang reach mo.
— bryle (@BryleLeano) October 11, 2018
Meanwhile, a certain Amiel (@amielaaa), who is an avid viewer of Gonzaga, wrote on Twitter that same day that perhaps, it wouldn’t be so bad for her to “humble down.”
“Huhu @Mscathygonzaga sis love pa man kita ur videos were my stress relievers,” the netizen said. “It doesn’t hurt to humble down and accept that politics, cultural sensitivity, and social awareness are interconnected even with entertainment. Realize your reach and make something even relevant from it.”
Huhu @Mscathygonzaga sis love pa man kita ur videos were my stress relievers. It doesnt hurt to humble down and accept that politics, cultural sensitivity, and social awareness are interconnected even with entertainment. Realize your reach and make something even relevant from it https://t.co/ThJTb7akLT
— Amiel Oropesa (@amielaaa) October 11, 2018
Gonzaga, on her end, has since replied to the netizen’s tweet, clarifying that her disclaimer wasn’t meant to offend anyone.
“Hi! This is now our disclaimer every start of my vlog. It’s not to offend anyone,” Gonzaga tweeted on Oct. 11. “We made sure the whole video has ‘wholesome’ sense of humor. I hope you can watch it first before judging. Thank you.”
Hi! This is now our disclaimer every start of my vlog. It’s not to offend anyone. We made sure the whole video has “wholesome” sense of humor. I hope you can watch it first before judging. Thank you 🤗
— Alex Gonzaga (@Mscathygonzaga) October 11, 2018
The same netizen replied that it was in the way the disclaimer was framed that made it appear she was making a mockery of the people who called her out.
I really wish to believe it does serve its purpose not to offend, but as how it is framed and stated it, it inflicts na what happened previously as people called you out, parang mockery tong disclaimer. As a 'netizen' and at the same time who does not tolerate the offensive…
— Amiel Oropesa (@amielaaa) October 11, 2018
Gonzaga seemed to be receptive to the feedback she received, as she tweeted on the same day that she was reading all of the netizens’ tweets for her.
“Netizens!!!!!! Reading all your tweets!!! Thank you!!!”
Netizens!!!!!! Reading all your tweets!!! Thank you!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗
— Alex Gonzaga (@Mscathygonzaga) October 11, 2018
This recent exchange between Gonzaga and netizens appears to have reopened a conversation that, although essential, can be quite complex. Political correctness can be a tricky thing and begs the question
whether or not celebrities and influencers with large followings can separate entertainment from politics and social issues when it comes to their content.
When it comes to jokes, just how far is too far? When certain boundaries are overstepped, who should be held accountable? These are things that continue to be mulled over and thought through, hence the criticism and discourse. One thing is for certain: discourse, as with all else, is an undertaking that requires patience, understanding and a listening ear from all sides. /ra
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