JK Labajo mum amid Iloilo LGU’s disapproval of his expletive lyric

JK Labajo. Image: Instagram/@juankarlos

JK Labajo has yet to address the expression of disapproval made by the Iloilo City local government unit over his use of a local expletive during his performance at a Dinagyang Festival show.

The actor-singer sang his hit song “Ere” at a brand-sponsored show held last Jan. 24 during the celebration of the city’s festival.

In the middle of his performance, right before the verse that includes the expletive “nakakap***ng*na” in the lyrics, Labajo paused and addressed the audience.

“Ano bang mura sa Ilonggo?” he asked, referring to the regional language also known as Hiligaynon.

The hyped up crowd gamely responded and even chanted in unison, “Y*dip***!”

Resuming his performance, Labajo then belted out, “Oh ‘di ba, nakakay*dip***!”, with the crowd singing at the top of their lungs with him.

Clips showing this instance then made rounds on social media, earning the disapproval of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, who stressed that the festival is a religious event.

“I already received a report…and we will do something about it. We will not tolerate it,” Treñas said of Labajo’s performance.

In a separate statement shared on social media but was already taken down, Treñas also urged the organizers to “be more circumspect next time in choosing artists who can bring positivity and promote good values in their performances.”

Reso seeking public apology

Aside from Treñas, the City Council of Iloilo also criticized Labajo’s performance, even reportedly mulling on passing a resolution demanding the singer to issue a public apology.

Meanwhile, one of the city council members, Rex Sarabia, aired his sentiment on the matter via his Facebook page on Thursday, Jan. 30, saying that he did not find Labajo’s performance to be offensive.

“First and foremost, I am fully aware that it is during the celebration of the Dinagyang Festival which is a cultural-religious event, however, the words uttered were not during a mass or a direct celebration of a religious rite or ceremony,” Sarabia said.

“It was in the context of a concert wherein the religious aspect of the Dinagyang remains as an indirect background element. Which is why in my opinion, it could not be interpreted as a disruption of the exercise of religious rights,” he continued.

Sarabia further pointed out that if cursing is against the city’s public policy, “many public figures have cursed in public as well and have not been reprimanded.”

“If we demand a public apology from JK, it would be through a legislative act. It could be interpreted that it is a form of censorship of free speech through a form of subsequent punishment,” he added.

“I sincerely believe that the phrase used by JK is to merely express the intensity of the emotion of being heartbroken, and it is not intended to insult anyone,” he stated. “I think his performance was well-meaning, although he could have exercised more tact in view of the Dinagyang.”

Sarabia then noted that the city council has yet to vote on the matter, assuring the public that they would “study it thoroughly.” “For the meantime, let’s move on from the performance of Juan Karlos.”