Celebrity couple Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla finally broke their silence on the ABS-CBN shutdown.
On their own Instagram accounts, the couple spoke up about the issue.
In the video posted, Kathryn began by expressing why she hesitated to be involved in this kind of matter.
“Alam ko po na marami sa inyo na may alam na matagal ko pong piniling manahimik. Bakit? Kagaya po ing iba sa inyo, natakot po ako. Kasi nu’ng huling beses ko po na ginamit ko ‘yung platfrom ko sa usaping politika, hindi naging maganda ‘yung nangyari. Naging traumatic po ‘yung experience ko no’n.”
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAH22ignaSq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The traumatic experience she was referring to was when she got bashed in 2016 for supporting Mar Roxas for his presidential candidacy.
“Pero ngayon nandito po ako kasi pakiramdam ko kasi kailangan. Pakiramdam ko, kahit wala mang kasiguraduhan marinig ‘to, at least may ginawa ako. Pakiramdam ko kailangan kong maging boses ng iba. Kaya nandito ko, pinili kong magsalita kasi nag patong-patong na ‘yung mga dahilan.”
According to her, ABS-CBN’s shutdown means that more Filipino families will have to search for more ways to reduce the burden of the COVID-19 crisis.
She even related it to her blockbuster movie, Hello Love Goodbye, where she played an OFW.
“Meron po akong isang linya doon sa movie na nagawa ko no’ng hulin, ang sinabi do’n, ‘Ang choice para lang sa may pera.’ Noong isang buwan po akong namuhay sa Hong Kong, doon ko po napatunayan at doon ko lalong nakita kung gaano kahirap ‘yung buhay.”
“Tapos ‘yun pong pagk-ashutdown ng ABS-CBN, sa ginawa nilang ‘yon, mas binawasan pa nating ‘yung pagpipilian ng mga kababayan natin. Alam po natin na maraming lugar sa Pilipinas ang channel na meron sila ang nasasagap lang nila ay ABS-CBN.”
For Kathryn, keeping the public informed is a very critical need at this time of the pandemic,
“Sa panahon po n ngayon ng pandemya na kailangan natin ng impormasyon maya’t maya, alam po natin kung gaano kaimportanye ang news, ang pagkukunan ng impormasyon.”
Boyfriend Daniel Padilla has similar views where he urges his fellow Filipinos to open their hearts and be compassionate and to open their eyes to the truth.
“Nakakalungkot ho ang nangyayari ngayon, nakakalungkot na dapat nagkakaisa tayo at may hinaharap tayong pandemya, ay nalilihis ang usapan at nagkakawatak-watak pa tayong mga Pilipino dahil sa pagkakaiba ng opinyon,”
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAH0zl0ARxh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Padilla was also saddened for his fellow Kapamilyas who got bashed for just sharing their own thoughts on the closure of their home network.
“Nakakadismaya hong makita na ang iba naming mga kasamahan namin sa industriya na piniling magsalita ay iniinsulto. Wala naman ho silang ibang layunin kung ‘di muling magbukas ang ABS-CBN. Ang gusto lang naman ho nila ay mapawi ang takot na nararamdaman ng mga empleyado na maaaring mawalan ng trabaho.”
Breaking their silence, netizens can’t help but admire on how the couple grew and used their platforms to encourage youth, to speak out especially in this time of crisis, despite the trauma that they had for the past years.
@bernardokath BRAVA ! you are courageous . A great actor must feel inhumanity and injustice and have the courage to speak up .
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) May 14, 2020
Lodi Kathryn! Mas matalino pa sa mga abogado na bulag naijuulit ang luma at hindi na totoo na araling Dura Lex Sed Lex. https://t.co/BFuo2WJIpR
— Tony La Viña (@tonylavs) May 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/mave_nice/status/1260510072888635393
https://twitter.com/yahboilennon/status/1260530004586201089
can we all agree that Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla are so brave to speak up from their hearts with utmost respect and pride despite the traumatic experiences they encountered way back and with that I even stan #KathNiel the hARDEST 💙
— 𝗸𝘆𝗹𝗶𝗲 (@gnzlskyle_) May 13, 2020
No one can actually downplay Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla's fear of speaking up politically. A few years back, they were harassed, threatened, and almost shoved into severe depression just because they advertised a candidate they believed in.
— hyperflax (@xandyeugh) May 13, 2020
KATHNIEL SPEAKING UP ON BEHALF OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHOSE VOICES COULDN'T BE HEARD. MGA ARTISTA NG BAYAN.
That's the tweet.
— Paulina Boga (@MiguelAgoncill0) May 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/raffymagno/status/1260529461834874880
https://twitter.com/pattiechoo/status/1260528621933834240?s=20
So much respect for Kathryn Bernardo. Speaking up & standing with the workers of ABS-CBN despite the trauma inflicted to her & her family by being celebrity endorsers of Mar Roxas last elections.
pic.twitter.com/DGEBOiu4XC— Ed Alegre, Jr. (@edgardoalegre) May 13, 2020
It is both a mental and emotional torture for them to remember the past in order to stand and fight for today.
Ladies and gentlemen, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.Such brave souls. 💪 pic.twitter.com/i0PkhCIVhO
— Puerile🍂 (@deamimore) May 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/denwhut/status/1260518961415720960?s=20
No one can actually downplay Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla's fear of speaking up politically. A few years back, they were harassed, threatened, and almost shoved into severe depression just because they advertised a candidate they believed in.
— hyperflax (@xandyeugh) May 13, 2020