Image: Instagram/@iamsuperbianca, @bela
Celebrities Bianca Gonzalez and Bela Padilla aired their sentiments regarding social media “influencers” after the White Banana Beach Club resort in Siargao recently announced its refusal to collaborate with “self-proclaimed influencers” who had sent several messages offering collaboration.
Gonzalez and Padilla did not drop any names, but it seemed their recent tweets were aimed at a certain Lance de Ocampo, an influencer who called out the beach club via Instagram after it made its announcement. Ocampo has since deleted his Instagram Stories and issued a statement apologizing for his post, although screenshots of the Stories have been shared via FashionPulis.
Ocampo, then, defended the role of “influencers,” saying they have big contributions to boost Siargao’s tourism. He claimed that the island would not be as appreciated today if it were not for the “breathtaking and well-curated Instagram photos” of influencers.
Padilla, however, did not seem to agree. The “Camp Sawi” star took to Twitter on March 28 to express her thoughts.
“It’s soooo sad that you felt the need to take credit for a place so beautiful to begin with and would be perfectly fine with or without you,” said Padilla. “Tsk tsk. [By the way], we all started going to Siargao three years ago NOT because of your posts.”
https://twitter.com/padillabela/status/1111238256509673472
Gonzalez also took to her Twitter where she shared how the word “influencer” is being thrown a lot these days.
“All of us, regardless of follower count, have influence with people around us, for sure,” she said. “But it should never be a license to feel entitled to demand to be given free things.”
The word "influencer" is thrown a lot around these days. All of us, regardless of follower count, have influence with people around us, for sure. But it should never be a license to feel entitled to demand to be given free things.
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) March 28, 2019
She added one should be grateful if given a free service or product, but they should never demand to be given such things.
“Hintayin na sila ang magbigay, ‘wag ikaw ang mag-demand na bigyan ka,” she said. “Kung gusto mo, bayaran please. Lumugar. #influencer.” (Wait for them to give it to you, don’t demand. If you want it, then pay for it. Know your place. #influencer).
Simple lang.. pag binigyan ka ng free service or free product, magpasalamat. Pero hintayin na sila ang magbigay, 'wag ikaw ang mag-demand na bigyan ka. Kung gusto mo, bayaran please. Lumugar. #influencer
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) March 28, 2019
She also clarified she was not shading anybody and only wanted to remind everyone.
“This is a reminder for all of us who might at times feel entitled to demand because of this new social media ‘influencer’ culture.”
By the way, this isn't shade. This is a reminder for all of us who might at times feel entitled to demand because of this new social media "influencer" culture.
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) March 28, 2019
Meanwhile, White Banana Beach Club on March 27 clarified via Facebook that it is not against “influencers,” just freeloaders.
“A REAL influencer is called as such by the rest, he does not address him/herself as an influencer,” the post said. “They are bloggers. We have actually collaborated with a few of them, in different terms and conditions, and we support them.”
The beach club added that it is they who contact and pay real influencers: “They’ve never contacted us, as they don’t need us. We need them.” /ra
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