President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is facing criticism from numerous netizens and social media figures for opting to use a helicopter to attend Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” concert at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on January 19.
Amidst the extensive traffic endured by thousands of Filipino Coldplay fans on their way to the venue, netizens and influencers took to social media, particularly on platform X (formerly Twitter), to express their discontent and rebuke the president.
One netizen, @strawbearrybum, condemned the president for utilizing the presidential chopper to reach the venue, highlighting the contradiction with Coldplay’s sustainability campaign.
“all the effort of coldplay and their team in promoting sustainability while on tour, finding a way to make that work here in the philippines, only for this asshole to fly in a chopper probably funded by… take a wild guess!”
https://twitter.com/strawbearrybum/status/1748365332643987660
Social media influencer Arshie Larga criticized the president’s use of a chopper, emphasizing that it is funded by taxpayers.
“Sana all naka-helicopter papuntang Ph Arena para manuod ng concert tapos tayong mga tax payer ang nagbabayad”
https://twitter.com/Arshiethromycin/status/1748334658553868366
Similarly, @pexolaris slammed the president for choosing helicopter transport, while many concertgoers resorted to using bikes to avoid heavy traffic.
“Punyeta the fans literally used bikes to power up the goddamn concert tonight tapos tong hayop na to nag helicopter? Are they even allowed to use these for non-governmental use????????”
Punyeta the fans literally used bikes to power up the goddamn concert tonight tapos tong hayop na to nag helicopter? Are they even allowed to use these for non-governmental use???????? https://t.co/ZAlzyJETJz
— INB¹⁰⁰ CEO Byun Baekhyun (@pexolaris) January 19, 2024
@pistonph pointed out the irony in Marcos Jr.’s actions, noting his environmental stance while utilizing a helicopter for a concert just 32km from Malacañang.
“Marcos attended a Coldplay concert just 32km from Malacañang in a helicopter. The same Marcos who pushes for the phaseout of jeepneys in the guise of environmentalism, rides a helicopter to a concert! The same Marcos who will massacre informal transport workers’ jobs by Feb 1!”
Marcos attended a Coldplay concert just 32km from Malacañang in a helicopter.
The same Marcos who pushes for the phaseout of jeepneys in the guise of environmentalism, rides a helicopter to a concert!
The same Marcos who will massacre informal transport workers' jobs by Feb 1! pic.twitter.com/3GZjNHGfd9
— PISTON (@pistonph) January 20, 2024
In a follow-up tweet, @pistonph sarcastically listed Coldplay’s concert as the president’s top priority for Q1 of 2024, highlighting the need for solutions to mass transport issues, wage increases, and local economic enhancement.
“Marcos list of priorities for 1Q 2024:
Solve the mass transport crisis
Increase wages
Boost local jobs & economy
Stan Coldplay”
https://twitter.com/pistonph/status/1748561995216064590
Expressing dissatisfaction, @guywithablog remarked on the president’s audacity, attributing it to the absence of opposition. He criticized the incremental approach taken by those in power, highlighting the lack of questioning and opposition.
“He has the audacity to do this because there is no push back. He doesn’t see any opposition to it. This is how they got back. Slowly, inching their way, until hinahanap na sila. Ganun din dito, punta dito, punta doon, until wala na nagquesquestion. We got focked again,”
https://twitter.com/GuyWithABlog/status/1748482802822336521
On a different note, some netizens praised Coldplay’s Chris Martin for indirectly criticizing the government by mentioning the heavy traffic experienced by attendees, coinciding with Marcos Jr.’s entrance to the arena.
“Chris saying Manila’s traffic is Holy Shit and Marcos was in attendance. mabuhay ka Chris Martin,” @shang_siann shared.
https://twitter.com/shang_siaaa/status/1748392311791485431
“I love it that the camera is directed towards Blengbong after every Chris Martin’s quip about the traffic. Tatawa-tawa pa yata ang UNGAS.” social media personality @nabunturanguy tweeted.
I love it that the camera is directed towards Blengbong after every Chris Martin’s quip about the traffic. Tatawa-tawa pa yata ang UNGAS! https://t.co/ijrRNX2oLG
— DAVAOMIGRANT (@nabunturanguy) January 20, 2024
Social media priestsonality @pads_nosi also tweeted saying Martin’s statement was an “in your face, shame” to Marcos Jr.
Shame!
In your face!Bongbong “the Philippines’ most spoiled brat” Marcos pic.twitter.com/rffoa9Tld2
— Pari Koy (@pads_nosi) January 20, 2024
