On Thursday, Kapuso star Jennylyn Mercado appealed to her followers that even in times of crisis, social media discourses should still be done with kindness and respect among all parties involved.
The actress aired out her thoughts online after being told that she had no right to express her views on the country’s pressing issues because “artista ka lang.”
Her post read: “Maganda po na lahat tayo ay nakikipagtalakayan sa isa’t isa para mas lalo tayong magkaroon ng kaalaman sa mga nangyayari sa ating bansa. Pero sana sa mga diskusyon ay andun ang respeto sa isa’t isa kahit iba ang ating mga opinyon o paniniwala. Sana itigil na ng iba gumamit ng masasakit na salita at personal na atakihin ang pagkatao ng mga nakakasalamuha dito sa Social Media. Hindi tayo pinalaki ng ating mga magulang na mangaway o hindi rumespeto ng kapwa.”
In her post, she attached a link to her Facebook post where a netizen belittled her for posting her opinion online when she is only a celebrity.
“Ano pong meron sakin at wala akong karapatan na gawin yun? Hindi po porke’t artista ay wala na kaming kalayaan upang i-express ang sarili at gamitin ang aming plataporma para magbigay at mamahagi ng impormasyon,” she said.
The 33-year-old said that everyone has the right to freedom of speech.
“I don’t hinder or stop you from sharing your opinion, so don’t tell me to stop from giving mine,” she said.
She then opened up that it is saddening to find people who look down on celebrities.
“Tao po kami. Nagiisip, nakakaramdam, at nagmamahal katulad ninyo. Ang dami ng negatibo na pangyayari sa mundo, huwag po sana tayo dumagdag dito,” she ended.
