OPM Icon and Jukebox Queen Imelda Papin is now at the center of social media attention after her participation in the Chinese government’s propaganda music video.
On, Thursday, April 23, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines released a music video titled “Iisang Dagat”.
The video was billed as a call for unity between China and the Philippines during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was written by Chinse Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and Papin was one of the singers tapped to sing it for the music video.
However, the majority of the netizens didn’t like the video and dubbed it as propaganda video for China’s narrative on the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute.
What fuelled the netizen’s anger more is the fact that Papin is an elected government official of the country and collaborating with foreign governments who have vested interest in our territory is an insult to our sovereignty.
With that, another OPM Icon and known government critic Leah Navarro blasted Papin for allowing herself to be used for Chinese propaganda.
“What were you thinking, @VGImeldaPapin ? Why did you lend your voice to a song that undermines Philippine sovereignty? Haven’t you read the Constitution? You should have known better. I am so disappointed in you. Who asked you to do this? Duterte? Bong Go?”
What were you thinking, @VGImeldaPapin? Why did you lend your voice to a song that undermines Philippine sovereignty? Haven’t you read the Constitution? You should have known better. I am so disappointed in you.
Who asked you to do this? Duterte? Bong Go?
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) April 25, 2020
Other netizens also slammed the singer for her ‘betrayal’ of the country’s claim in the West Philippine Sea.
She should be held accountable for treason! For this is treason!
— ivy krabye (@ivykrabye) April 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/wills_lm7/status/1253920828502073345
IMELDA PAPIN IS CANCELLED.
Propaganda again from ANOTHER LADY CALLED IMELDA!
Do the Chinese & Papin want to thank COVID19 frontliners? Or do they want us to forget that China "stole" our seas—w/ Gongdi's complicity?
EXCUSE ME! WALANG 'IISANG DAGAT'—THERE'S ONLY 1 WEST PH SEA! pic.twitter.com/Vwl5rqQb8x
— Francis Baraan IV (@MrFrankBaraan) April 25, 2020
So YuBin, one of the "Untamed" actors is one the singers alongside with Imelda Papin in "Iisang Dagat" MV.
Sorry but China is bullying countries, China gov't is stealing islands.
There is never "One Sea".Philippines is never the other side of the sea as claimed by China. pic.twitter.com/72ss7wW2jP— Mitch 💜💜💜 (@michelle_dob) April 25, 2020
The West Philippine Sea is not "Iisang Dagat" for China and the Philippines, like Imelda Papin and her gang want us to believe.
It is not even for the Dilawan only or for the DDS only. The sovereign lands and seas are for THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.
Let's unite for #ChExitPh Party! pic.twitter.com/MQ6WetrQqd
— JP Abecilla (@JPAbecillaPH) April 25, 2020
#WeStealAsOne with Imelda papin pic.twitter.com/sEhJBgrFXx
— marimidel (@marimidel) April 25, 2020
What the fuck is this?? Stop feeding us with your propaganda. STOP ROMANTICIZING INVASION THROUGH A SONG OF UNITY!!!!
Also, isn't Imelda Papin the Vice Governor of CamSur? This is TREASON! https://t.co/eTxkEUVEaY pic.twitter.com/jNbJ8adOlL
— Matt Yu (@yomattyu) April 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/judemangilog/status/1253700524127338496
Imelda Papin is either the most talented dumbass in the Philippines or broke as fuck. Puwedeng both.
— Carlos (@carlos_rossi19) April 25, 2020
To collaborate a song with the country that threatened out sovereignty is so low. I guess many artists think the same way that’s why the chinese embassy ended up with a low class Imelda Papin.
Certified Low Class Character. Traitor.
Duterturd. #IisangDagat shit. 🖕🏼— Gabrielle (@Gabgrielle) April 25, 2020
Despite the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) declaration that the territory in the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Philippines, China has continued to encroach into the area.
Just recently, the Chinese government has established 2 new districts in the Sansha City, Hainan. Xisha District, with the government in Yongxing Island, will administer the Xisha and Zhongsha islands and waters; Nansha District, with the government in Yongshu Isles, will administer the Nansha Islands and waters.
These are located in the contested Spratly Islands which is part of the West Philippine Sea.
🇨🇳 #Breaking: China approves 2 new districts in Sansha City, Hainan. Xisha District, with government in Yongxing Island, will administer the Xisha and Zhongsha islands and waters; Nansha District, with government in Yongshu Isles, will administer the Nansha Islands and waters. pic.twitter.com/Coe4UpHdSE
— CCTV Asia Pacific (@CCTVAsiaPacific) April 18, 2020
Meanwhile, Papin defended herself from criticisms and the online backlash that she’s currently experiencing.
In a statement provided to ABS-CBN News’ Mario Dumaual, Papin said the song is about the 2 countries’ unity and cooperation in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.
The Camarines Sur Vice Governor also asked people not to put color saying it doesn’t help since we are in a crisis right now and people have low morale.
“Dapat huwag bigyan ng kulay. Kasi mababa ang moral ng tao ngayon. Dapat sa pamamagitan ng boses ko ay tumaas mang moral ng ibang tao at makapagbigay-inspirasyon na ngayon ang panahon na dapat mag kaisa wala na munang away,” she said.
Here’s her full statement.
“Hayaan natin sila ipagdasal ko na lang. Kasi hindi naman ako nag presenta. Ako mismo ang kinuha . . . bilang chosen artist ni Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian — the composer of the song — at ang message ng song — it’s all about unity — awitin ng
pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan at pag asa.
“Dapat huwag bigyan ng kulay. Kasi mababa ang moral ng tao ngayon. Dapat sa pamamagitan ng boses ko ay tumaas mang moral ng ibang tao at makapagbigay-inspirasyon na ngayon ang panahon na dapat mag kaisa wala na munang away.
“Ang title ‘Iisang Dagat’ para ding isang mundo yan. Bakit i-criticize ang participation ko.
“Bakit hindi sila kumibo sa mga tulong na binibigay ng China —doctors, protective equipment etc. Bakit ako?
“I pray for everyone and as Filipinos let us all pray together and healed as one! Hindi ako sumingil kahit isang centavo.
“For love and unity.”
