Sam Concepcion has been receiving criticisms regarding his silence towards the ABS-CBN franchise denial from the Twitter community.
People have been saying that he is not showing his support to his network even by simply using his influence in defending ABS-CBN.
With the rejected bid of ABS-CBN for a franchise renewal, people have been rallying to lobby for a broadcast franchise. Various interest groups, like religious communities and health workers, rights advocates, and concerned organizations, joined in the protest held outside the company headquarters in Diliman, Quezon City on July 18.
Among the Kapamilya artists leading the noise barrage is actress Angel Locsin who expressed her frustrations with her fellow ABS-CBN stars who have kept their silence regarding the franchise denial.
Some netizens agreed with Angel saying that there are Kapamilya artists that lack in showing their support for the network who helped them grow as an artist.
Singer-actor Sam was one of the artists who was bashed by the people and he responded to the comments about him through his Twitter account.
Pustahan, yung mga maingay sa twitter na nagrereklamo na wala naman si *name of artista* wala din naman sa noise barrage kanina
— Sam Concepcion (@sam_concepcion) July 18, 2020
Sam said that those people who were complaining about certain artists not being present during the noise barrage on July 18 were actually people who were not present themselves.
Netizens believed that Sam was offended when people mentioned his name as one of the artists who didn’t show up in the rally to support ABS-CBN. He believed that not all people have the capability to be physically present in the rally including himself.
He wanted to remind the people that before they start to judge others, they should first look at themselves to see if what they’re saying doesn’t reflect them as well.
Self check lang bago mag judge lol
— Sam Concepcion (@sam_concepcion) July 18, 2020
“Self check bago mag judge lol,” he said.
Netizens expressed their opinions with what Sam has said saying that he shouldn’t have compared himself as an artist with the normal citizens of the country. People shared their disappointments with Sam and said that he could’ve used his voice for something more relevant rather than just responding to his bashers.
https://twitter.com/MyBraveKing/status/1284566593859543040
bakit, kami ba yung mga big artists ng abs cbn na napakalaki ng platform? yun ung point kung bakit sila hinahanap, kasi mas malaki at mas malawak ng nararating ng boses nila.
wala ng empathy, di pa nag iisip. wala namang naghahanap sayo, super guilty ka na agad 😂— tinapie (@tinatix88) July 19, 2020
Im so disappointed, Sam
— A Very Good Girl / Elena1944 (@joanamari___) July 18, 2020
Kaya mas sumikat si Charice kaysa sa'yo e.
— – (@jhnlvb) July 19, 2020
Keep telling yourself that
— 🌷 (@unomagnifico) July 18, 2020
Besh bat ka affected?
Ulitin ko, WALANG NAGHANAP SAYO.
They're calling out the big stars of the network. 🤡
— Katniss EverNadine (@everNadine) July 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/lorenzochoiph/status/1284694245715009537
Another netizen said that the point is not about being present in the noise barrage. It is about speaking up because people like Sam have a bigger platform that could reach a large audience. Even if Sam could not attend the rally, the netizen said that he could’ve at least showed empathy to the people who lost their jobs with the network’s shutdown.
Sam responded to the netizen and pointed out that they should not treat artists like their enemy because all of them belong to the same side.
Before you all flip, YES I obv get that. But look you’re demonizing these artists like they’re the enemy. We’re all on the same side https://t.co/0AMZZ1Oc3Q
— Sam Concepcion (@sam_concepcion) July 18, 2020
Sam assured people that he stands with ABS-CBN and will continue to support his network when he tweeted, “Laban Kapamilya!” But his act of support was criticized by a netizen who deemed his actions as insufficient.
Laban Kapamilya!
— Sam Concepcion (@sam_concepcion) July 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/cottonkai88/status/1284535598619848712
Soooooo not speak up? What is it then
— Sam Concepcion (@sam_concepcion) July 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/cottonkai88/status/1284537717758414848
Sam mentioned that regardless of speaking up about the issue or not, people would always find something rude to say about others.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t https://t.co/WMDJ2kt0UM
— Sam Concepcion (@sam_concepcion) July 18, 2020
“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” he wrote.
Sam confirmed that he was not able to join the noise barrage held outside the ABS-CBN headquarters because he had an appointment with a music producer. He agreed with his friend’s statement that he was working on a music content that will help save the future of the company.
— Sam Concepcion (@sam_concepcion) July 19, 2020
ABS-CBN network was forced to stop its broadcasting operations after lawmakers voted to deny a fresh franchise for the network. With the network’s shutdown, the jobs of 11,000 ABS-CBN employees are at stake now that the media giant lost its capability to air its shows freely on television and radio.
The company also recently announced that it will undergo a retrenchment program due to financial restraints. The network decided to layoff some of its workers because it’s a sacrifice that needed to be made to assure that some of the employees will retain their jobs. The retrenchment program covering ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries will be effective on Aug. 31, 2020.
Many Filipinos were disheartened with the network’s shutdown including the talents of ABS-CBN. Actress Angel Locsin has been very vocal with her support with the network. She not only used her fame and influence to speak her mind through social media platforms, but also led the noise barrage held outside the ABS-CBN headquarters.
Angel urged her fellow Kapamilya artists to speak up about the issue allowing big stars such as Sarah Geronimo and Nadine Lustre to break their silence. They showed their support for the network through their touching posts on Instagram.
Aside from Angel Locsin, big names such as the real-life couples Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo (KathNiel) and Jake Cuenca and Kylie Vezosa. Beauty Gonzalez, Maymay Entrata, and Edward Barber also participated in the noise barrage dedicated to ABS-CBN.
Sam Concepcion was the winner of the Big Division of Little Big Star‘s Season 1 in April 2006. He launched his self-titled album under Universal Records, which was certified Gold by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry in 2007. His latest song was entitled “Reload” featuring Christian Kuya.
