Coco Martin, Pokwang, others push ‘starve a troll’ campaign over ABS-CBN shutdown

Pokwang, JC de Vera, and Coco Martin (left to right). Image: Instagram.com/@itspokwang27, Instagram/@akosijcdeberat, Facebook/Dreamscape Entertainment

MANILA, Philippines—As the shutdown of media giant ABS-CBN gets mixed reactions online, several celebrities supporting the network are pushing for a virtual “starve a troll today” campaign online.

“Ang Probinsyano” star Coco Martin for one stressed that as Kapamilya actors like him are now jobless, it feels good to finally be able to let out his frustrations online and even fight back against trolls by ignoring them.

“NGAYON KO LANG NARAMDAMAN ANG SARAP PALA SA [PAKIRAMDAM] YUNG NALALABAS MO YUNG MGA NASASA LOOB MO YUNG WALA KANG KINATATAKUTAN AT PINANGINGILAGAN KAYA PALA MASAYANG MASAYA YUNG MGA BASHERS AT TROLLS SA GINAGAWA NILA E!” the actor said on Instagram on Friday.

(It really does feel nice to finally be able to say what you want without fearing or avoiding something. So, this is why bashers and trolls enjoy doing this!)

“[KASI] TAYONG MGA ARTISTA WALANG MAGAWA KAPAG NILAIT NILA KAPAG KINUTYA NILA DI TAYO MAKAPALAG, NGAYON WALA NA TAYONG TRABAHO PANTAY PANTAY NA TAYO PWEDE NA TAYO LUMABAN WALA NA TAYO DAPAT KATAKUTAN!!! SILA GUSTONG GUSTO NILA BASAHIN KUNG ANO ANG MGA POST NATIN NGAYON ANG PAGKAKATAON PARA MAKAGANTI TAYO AWAYIN NATIN SILA AT WAG BASAHIN ANG MGA COMMENTS NILA HAYAAN NATIN SILA MAG COMMENTS PARA MAG MUKA SILANG TANGA!!! SA LAHAT NG MGA BASHERS NAMIN LIBRE LAIT WALANG MAG BABASA!!!” he added.

(Us celebrities cannot do anything when they insult us; we could not fight when we were being bashed. Now that we are jobless, we are all equal now and we can finally fight back because we are not afraid of anything anymore! They like reading what we post and now it is our chance to get revenge by ignoring their comments and making them look stupid! To all our bashers, you are free to insult us, no one will read your comments anyway!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_4A4ZTgjCl/

Martin’s message came with a set of instructions to “starve a troll today,” which encourages people not to engage trolls and if they do, they should delete their comment after the troll replies to deprive them of their pay.

It also encourages people to block trolls and to “unfollow all troll queen blogs” as people would be happier if they do not read their content.

Since the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued the cease-and-desist order to stop the operations of ABS-CBN after the expiration of its franchise, Martin has been vocal about his support for the network and condemned the move and the bashers of the network.

Actor-comedian Pooh (Jay Patrick Roquero in real-life) also supported the move and reposted the instructions, stating: “Walang papansin… walang sisilip sa account, walang papatol, walang magrereply… sa bawat kilos mo na yan.. sila ang makikinabang… kikita sila… salamat po.”

(Ignore them, do not look at their accounts, do not engage, and do not reply. Every move you make will be to their benefit as they get paid for it. Thank you.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5FKIFFCHt/

Actress-comedienne Pokwang (Marietta Subong in real-life) echoed the same sentiments and emphasized to her followers: “Mas bongga kung i block o i report mga trolls (it is much better to block or report trolls!)

“Sa aming mga legit na followers sa IG or Twitter, please gutumin natin ang mga trolls, wag kayong magrereply or silipin ang [account] nila, dahil kada reply at silip nyo ay kumikita sila mga letse na yan!” she stressed.

(To our legitimate followers on IG or Twitter, please, let us starve the trolls; do not reply or look at their accounts because every response or look helps them earn money!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_4q9GSgAdx/

Actor JC de Vera likewise took to Instagram to share with his followers the “starve a troll” guide shared by his co-actors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_4pGnuANqe/

Several of the country’s biggest stars, both from ABS-CBN and rival network GMA 7, have also rushed to the defense of the Kapamilya network, which has gone off-air since Tuesday night.

A self-confessed professional troll, whose name was withheld, back in 2016 disclosed to INQUIRER that professional trolls operate like regular employees who receive salaries. In the said troll’s case, he is employed by a well-known public relations company.

/MUF