Vlogger Shaun Pelayo sorry after ‘unacknowledged’ Siquijor promotion remark
Vlogger Shaun Pelayo. Image: Instagram/@shaun_pelayo; Facebook/Shaun Pelayo
Vlogger Shaun Pelayo addressed the controversy hounding him and his partner and fellow vlogger Crissa Liaging after he aired his sentiment on his apparent “unacknowledged” efforts in promoting Siquijor, with the content creator apologizing to those he offended.
Pelayo previously went on a TikTok live with his partner, fellow content creator Crissa Liaging, and spoke about how he receives “no acknowledgement” despite promoting the island.
Liaging then remarked that if she were the local government of Siquijor, she would have expressed gratitude for the promotion.
This drew criticisms from netizens, with some apparently relating the pair’s sentiment to the recent Siquijor video of actress-TV host Anne Curtis. Curtis’ video, which was shared prior to the couple’s remark, has drawn millions of social media reactions.
Pelayo then spoke up on the matter through a video on his Facebook page on Tuesday, April 22.
Here is his transcribed statement:
“I haven’t addressed any of the controversy online yet pero it’s getting out of hand. Okay—in English because I’m not good in Bisaya, and I want to make sure it’s very clear.
“I take full responsibility and accountability for the comment that I made on a Facebook live. As you all know, a lot of my day revolves around making content and I’m on live a lot, and I need to be super conscious of any throwaway comment that I make because it could offend someone.
“And if it has offended anyone, that I do apologize, I’m sorry. It wa never my intention to bring any negativity. So, apologies.
“I wanna speak about the news articles. Daghan ang botbot (English caption: There are a lot of lies). Susmaryosep. Buang (English caption: It was crazy).
“I don’t know where they get the information from. It’s so buang (crazy). I’m reading it and I’m so surprised myself. So you need to make your own minds up about that.
“But ambot (English caption: I don’t know).
“In regards to the fans, I wanna say thank you so much for all the support online and in person. Because [speaking in Visaya] (English caption: Because every day I’m still in Siquijor, many of the people of Siquijor still come to me, my kababayan, and they’re showing me love. They’re making me feel welcome still. They’re showing so much understanding, and I’ve got so much love and appreciation for them.
“Thank you from my heart and akong kasingkasing (English caption: my heart) nasa Siquijor still, of course.
“In regards to the negative and bashers, they’re taking it too far, I feel, when they’re sending death threats to me and my asawa. That’s unacceptable on any level, and I don’t appreciate that. But let’s try and move forward from this.
“I’m gonna be positive and I don’t wanna anyone to have a bad image of Siquijor. And any of the people that are supporting me, as much as I appreaciate and I’m so grateful for it, it’s not the whole of Siquijor. It’s just a few selected individuals, so don’t think bad of Siquijor because they’re kind and beautiful people.
“And to fans again, thank you so much. I know you’re trying to protect me so I appreaciate all of you guys.
“And I didn’t just moved to Siquijor as an adult. This is my—my only memories of the Philippines has been Siquijor since I’m bata (English caption: since I was a baby). This is why I love it so much. I had it tattoed on me for over 13 years.
“This is my home. I wanna raise my family here. I moved my mom here. I got a beautiful home here. I got beautiful kababayan here. So that’s not gonna change.
“I’m trying to end this on a positive because we’ve got so much stuff to look forward to. Let’s not focus on the negative. [mentions upcoming trips, projects]. So yeah, life’s good and I don’t wanna let this negativity define us. Daghan salamat and I appreaciate you guys. I need to get to work.”
