Rica Peralejo, Kathryn Bernardo, and Daniel Padilla | Image: @ricaperalejo @bernardokath IG
Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio defended the move of Kathryn Bernardo to unfollow her ex-boyfriend Daniel Padilla on Instagram, pointing out that it is more of an act of courage and control than immaturity.
On her Instagram Stories, Peralejo shared a screenshot of a news graphic that read Bernardo officially unfollowed Padilla after their nearly two-month separation, with the former actress joking that those she had unfollowed should have made the news as well.
“Sana mafeature din ‘yung mga iunfollow ko [joke lang], hindi sila mga kilala. Natawa lang ako,” she wrote.
Rica Peralejo IG story | Image: Screenshot/Instagram
The singer-host also took to Threads to share her sentiments on unfollowing people on social media, labelling it an issue of control and empowerement, especially over abusers, gaslighters, and oppressors.
“To unfollow people on [social media] is not immaturity. It is an issue of control. It is an act of agency. Especially when we unfollow abusers, gaslighters, or people we associate with the root of our oppression, it is then an empowering practice to say, even in a small way, that ‘You cannot do this to me anymore,’” she said.
Post by @ricaperalejoView on Threads
Peralejo detailed on her Instagram stories the same unfollowing spree she personally did on her social media accounts as she explained the need to do so.
“One thing I did last year was, indeed, unfollow certain people. Nung una kasi ‘kinakaya’ ko pa. Pa-‘unbothered’ acting. Pero every single time may post naalala ko naman ang ginawa sakin so naiinis lang ako hahahaha. Kahit na di naman ako nagrereact online sa kanila, sabi ko parang I don’t need this naman,” she opened up.
The former actress emphasized that she has unfollowed people on social media for her own good as she tries to reclaim the power she lost during the time that she was suffering.
“I can just unfollow for my own health. And it felt good. I guess also the ability to control in certain places gives [you] back the agency lalo na if the root of the issue is oppression and abuse,” Peraralejo said.
Rica Peralejo IG story | Image: Screenshot/Instagram
After Padilla, Bernardo went on an unfollowing spree on Instagram on January 10, with Gillian Vicencio, and allegedly, Liza Soberano and Julia Barretto.