Singer-songwriter Juan Karlos Labajo sparked controversy during his performance at the Dinagyang Festival after using a Hiligaynon expletive while singing his hit song ‘Ere’ on January 24, 2025.
Labajo, performing at a brand-sponsored concert at the Festive Walk Parade, replaced the Tagalog curse word in the song’s chorus with “yudiputa,” a vulgar Hiligaynon term derived from the Spanish expression hijo de puta. The phrase elicited mixed reactions from the audience—some cheered, while others expressed dismay at the language used in a religious and cultural event dedicated to the Santo Niño.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas issued a statement denouncing the use of inappropriate language during the festival, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and religious values.
“While we value creativity and self-expression, we must also be mindful of the messages we share, especially during important celebrations like the Dinagyang Festival,” Treñas said on January 27.
The mayor called on event organizers to exercise caution in selecting performers, urging them to choose artists who promote positive values.
“I ask the organizers to be more circumspect next time in choosing artists who can bring positivity and promote good values in their performances,” Treñas added.
Treñas also reminded artists performing in Iloilo to be respectful of the city’s culture and traditions. His comments were briefly posted on social media before being taken down for unknown reasons.
In response to the incident, Iloilo Councilor Alan Zaldivar announced that he would deliver a privilege speech at the City Council’s session on January 29. Zaldivar criticized the use of profanity, which he argued disrespected the religious significance of the Dinagyang Festival.
Councilor Ely Estante also proposed a resolution demanding a formal apology from Labajo. Additionally, he suggested that the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Incorporated (IFFI) implement strict guidelines for artists performing at future events to prevent similar occurrences.
“This should have been avoided with clear policies in place,” Estante said, referencing a previous incident in 2024 when a social media influencer used vulgar language during a festival countdown event.
IFFI President Alan Tan confirmed that his organization is collaborating with the City Council to draft new regulations governing performances at festival events. The IFFI has not yet released an official statement regarding the Labajo incident.
The public remains divided over the issue. Some netizens supported the mayor’s stance on maintaining cultural respect, while others criticized the perceived hypocrisy, noting that Treñas himself had used the term “yudiputa” in past public appearances.
Meanwhile, social media users debated the balance between artistic freedom and cultural sensitivity.
“Artists should always be mindful of their language and respect the traditions of the places they perform in,” one netizen commented.
Neither Juan Karlos Labajo nor his management team has issued a response to the incident as of press time.
