Regine Velasquez. Image: Instagram/@reginevalcasid
Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez did not hold back from calling out those who are apparently rejoicing about TV network ABS-CBN’s shutdown this week.
The singer-actress also stressed that the media conglomerate will come back stronger than ever, as stated in her Instagram post today, May 7.
ABS-CBN left the airwaves on the evening of Tuesday, May 5, a few hours after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order against the media company. The netwok’s legislative franchise expired on Monday, May 4.
The shutdown displaced 11,000 employees.
“Bakit ka nagbubunyi na maraming mawawalan ng trabaho?” Velasquez questioned. “Bakit pinagtatawanan mo ang paghihinagpis namin? Sayo trabaho lang to sa amin kabuhayan to. “
(Why are you rejoicing about people losing their jobs? Why are you laughing at our misery? For you, it is just a job, for us, it’s our livelihood.)
The singer added that dreams will remain unfulfilled because of the shutdown.
“Ano na ba ang nangyari sayo” she asked. “Hindi mo na ba alam kung pano makiramay?”
(What has happened to you? Don’t you know anymore how to sympathize?)
Velasquez acknowledged that there might be some people who have opposing views about how things were run in the network, despite not being a part of the company and not knowing the truth. But she also said that the whole issue is more than just people losing jobs.
“Ang mga mawawalan ng trabaho pweding humanap ng ibang pagkakakitaan mahirap pero kaya naman,” Velasquez said. “Pero nais naming manatili dito dahil una ito na ang buhay namin at dito tinuring kaming totoong kapamilya.”
(Those of us who will lose jobs can find other means of earning. It is difficult though possible. But we want to stay here because this has been part of our lives. Here, we’re treated like real family.)
The singer added that she and her fellow Kapamilya will not be silenced forever and that they will come back stronger and louder than before.
“Pagkatapos ng mga pagsubok na ito mag babalik kami na mas maningning,” she declared. “Pero ikaw hangang dyan ka na lang. Sa katulad mong walang awa, sa katulad mo na ikinatutuwa ang paghihirap ng iba WALA KA NANG PAGASA!!!”
(After all of these trials, we will come back more brilliant than ever. But you, you won’t go anywhere anymore. You who have no mercy and rejoice in the suffering of others, you are hopeless.)
Despite everything, Velasquez said she will still pray even for those who are not sympathetic.
Velasquez is one of many stars who publicly defended their home network after its shutdown, including Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Angel Locsin, Coco Martin, and more.
The actors, TV hosts and journalists from ABS-CBN’s rival network GMA-7 also showed their support for the broadcasting network, such as Maine Mendoza, Ryan Agoncillo and Atom Araullo. JB
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