Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala found himself in the social media spotlight after posting a seemingly simple Instagram update that unexpectedly sparked grammar debates and romance rumors.
In the now-viral post, Mayor Mark shared a photo of himself shirtless and seemingly on vacation, captioned with just three words: “Reserving my peace.”
While the statement may have been intended as a reflection of self-care or calmness, it quickly caught the attention of netizens, many of whom questioned its grammar and meaning. Critics took to various platforms to point out that “reserving” may not be the right word, suggesting alternatives like “preserving,” “maintaining,” or “safeguarding.”
“Reserving talaga? Hindi pa preserving?”
“Reserving my peace? Naka-reserve talaga. Parang upuan lang?”
“Nakakahiya ‘yung lapse na ‘reserve.’ May time mamili ng topless shots pero walang time mag-proofread. Mayor yan ha.”
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But not everyone was critical. Some social media users defended the mayor, arguing that the phrase could be interpreted as taking proactive steps to protect one’s mental and emotional well-being.
“‘Reserving my peace’ can be interpreted as taking steps to prioritize inner calm. Let’s not be quick to judge,” said one user.
Alongside the grammar debate came another topic of intrigue: Who was with the mayor during his getaway?
Several online sleuths speculated that the photos might have been taken by a rumored companion—actress Kathryn Bernardo.
The two have been linked in recent weeks, with netizens noting that Kathryn’s mother, Min Bernardo, had reportedly followed and then unfollowed Mayor Mark on Instagram—a move that further fueled speculation.
While Mayor Mark has kept the comments on his post limited, it hasn’t stopped social media from buzzing.
“Sino kumuha ng pic?”
“Magkasama ba sila ni KB?”
“Curious ba kayo sino ‘yung photographer?”
Despite the circulating rumors, both Mayor Mark Alcala and Kathryn Bernardo have remained silent on the issue. Kathryn, who has yet to show any signs of being on vacation via her own social media pages, has not made any statements regarding the mayor or their alleged connection.
