MANILA, Philippines — Tony-award winning singer-actress Lea Salonga became a hot topic on Twitter over the weekend airing her frustration at how she could love her own country despite the hounding issues it faces today.
“Dear Pilipinas, p***** ina, ang hirap mong mahalin,” Salonga said on her Facebook account Monday, which earned 10,000 likes and reactions.
(Dear Philippines, f*ck it’s so hard to love you.)
I hate this year. I really, really hate this year.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 14, 2020
On Twitter, the singer-actress also expressed how she hates 2020.
“I hate this year. I really, really hate this year,” Salonga said.
Although it wasn’t clear what she wasn’t referring to, she said that “fixing the system is possible, still, albeit difficult,” as seen in a reply to a comment posted by Correct Movement founder Orion Perez D.
“Criticism of one’s government shouldn’t be considered an expression of hatred, but one of love and a desire to see the country succeed. I would like to think that in a functioning democracy, this should never be anyone’s fear, that their criticism would land them in jail, or worse, a corpse lying on a curb,” she later said in another reply to Perez.
In another Facebook post, Salonga shared an article of an exhibit in Brussels, Belgium, displaying what rape victims were wearing at the time of they were assaulted.
Over the weekend, singer Frankie Pangilinan shot back at TV host Ben Tulfo for his saying that women should watch what they wear or else they would “invite the beast.” The hashtag #HijaAko also became a trending topic on social media as it spurred discussions about rape culture.
Netizens soon rallied behind her, making “I Stand with Lea Salonga” a trending topic on Twitter as well.
In a tweet, netizen mushu (@thetinymushu) shared screenshots of Salonga’s comments, where one included her stand on the controversial anti-terror bill.
“Haaaaaaaay! My problem is how unspecific and loose the definitions are,” Salonga said. “Ibig sabihin, all of us could be thrown in jail for doing anything.”
The anti-terrorism bill, which is now up for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte, penalizes those who will propose, incite, conspire, participate in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act; as well as those who will provide material support to terrorists, and recruit members in a terrorist organization.
Any person who will threaten to commit terrorism, and those who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism will suffer the penalty of 12 years, the bill stated.
Also stated in the bill is that any person who will voluntarily and knowingly join any organization, association or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization, will also suffer imprisonment of 12 years.
The same penalty shall be imposed on any person found liable as an accessory in the commission of terrorism.
And it appears that Salonga appreciated the support she received from her fans and netizens, which made her express her gratitude in a tweet on Wednesday.
To everyone that has my back, thank you. You have my appreciation. I am very grateful.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 17, 2020
“To everyone that has my back, thank you. You have my appreciation. I am very grateful,” Salonga said.
/atm