Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla (left) and Frankie Pangilinan (Image: Instagram/@imdanielpadillaofc, @frankiepangilinan)
A call for mass blocking of online trolls has been made by some celebrities and the fans of actors and real-life couple Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla using the hashtag #WeBlockAsOne on Twitter.
Bernardo and Padilla, known as KathNiel, have been recent targets of bashers after giving their two cents on media giant ABS-CBN’s shutdown, during an online protest last Wednesday, May 13. The hashtag, attributed to the loveteam’s fans, is currently one of the most trending topics on the social media site after KathNiel fans defended the actors from a vlogger named “Banat By.”
The TV network left the airwaves on May 5 to comply with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) cease and desist order, released after the media company’s legislative franchise expired on May 4. Since then, actors and other TV personalities have been participating in an online protest while the franchise is being discussed in Congress.
KathNiel fans’ mass blocking
During the online protest, Bernardo and Padilla made statements that did not only concern the TV network’s franchise renewal but also freedom of information, labor issues and more. Padilla also defended their fellow stars who have been vocal about opposing the TV network’s shutdown.
After KathNiel’s statements went viral, the vlogger “applauded” Bernardo and Padilla for their good “acting” via his Facebook live on yesterday, May 14. He also criticized the points made by the two actors during his live stream.
A few hours later, KathNiel’s fans began an online campaign to report, block and mute trolls through the hashtag #WeBlockAsOne and #StarveTheTroll via KathNiel’s Twitter fan page, KN Social Media Moderators.
“Refrain from mentioning the name of the person who’s going live on FB,” @KNSMModerators said. “Let’s not give him the chance to be on the trending list.”
Banat By’s Facebook page is still active, as of this writing.
Friendly Reminder 📣#WeBlockAsOne pic.twitter.com/JiWUreTLci
— Kathryn Bernardo Social Media Moderators (@KNSMModerators) May 14, 2020
“DDS Trolls maligning Kathniel, MASS REPORT then BLOCK the page!” a certain Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) said, linking to the vlogger’s Facebook page.
https://twitter.com/rodmagaru/status/1260935008186888192
“We really have to give it to the #KathNiels for being a progressive fanbase & to Kath & DJ for having the courage to speak up against the injustices,” one @vinceliban said via his Twitter account on the same day.
“But Banat By is still alive. Hindi na lang dapat KN fans ang magreport,” he added. “We all need to #BlockAsOne!”
We really have to give it to the #KathNiels for being a progressive fanbase & to Kath & DJ for having the courage to speak up against the injustices.
But Banat By is still alive. Hindi na lang dapat KN fans ang magreport. We all need to #BlockAsOne!
LINK: https://t.co/kpVmslFutc— Vince Liban 🏳️🌈🌹 (@vinceliban) May 14, 2020
Celebrities use #WeBlockAsOne
Spokenword artist Juan Miguel Severo, the couple’s close friend, also lauded Bernardo and Padilla’s fan base through his Twitter account.
“So not only do these fans organize relief drives in their idols’ names, they also have their own anti-troll campaign?” Severo said. “Iba kayó, KathNiels. Go get them.”
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1260946141182439425
Musician Frankie Pangilinan likewise addressed the trolls and all the negative messages she has been receiving since last year on her Twitter page.
“[For] all the times you managed to make me question my [self-worth,] for all the times you threatened to find me, hurt me, kill me,” she said. “[For] all the times you tried to silence me, and for everyone who’s felt the same — for everyone who deserves better. #WeBlockAsOne”
for all the times you managed to make me question my self worth, for all the times you threatened to find me, hurt me, kill me,
for all the times you tried to silence me,
and for everyone who’s felt the same —
for everyone who deserves better.#WeBlockAsOne— kakie 🇵🇸 (@kakiep83) May 14, 2020
TV host Robi Domingo also used the hashtag via his Twitter post today, May 15.
Time to end:
1) bashing
2) trolls
3) fake news/misinformation#WeBlockAsOne 🚫— Robi Domingo (@robertmarion) May 14, 2020
Domingo said that now is the time to “end bashing, trolls [and] fake news/misinformation.” /ra
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