We asked several celebrities if they had the guts to do what Agot Isidro did on Facebook. To backtrack a bit. The singer-actress became a trending topic recently after criticising President Duterte in a blistering post that described the politician as a “psychopath” for quarrelling with the United States and the United Nations.
As expected, a deluge of hateful posts flooded social media. Agot’s sister Olive Isidro told the Inquirer that Agot was coping well in spite of the intrigues.
In cyberspace, some of Agot’s colleagues showed their support by posting the meme #SupportAgot as their profile pic.
On the other side of the divide, haters are having a field day, spreading fake news, the most hilarious claims Agot is dating mobsters. Agot plays the wife of a drug lord in the primetime series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.
No matter which side of the debate you’re on, one thing is certain: Lines have been drawn and the entertainment industry, like Philippine society as a whole, is polarised.
So, who will do an Agot?
Maria Isabel Lopez
No, because I am Isabel. There is freedom of speech in the country and Agot is entitled to that. Regarding her FB post, aren’t we all crazy one way or another? Acceptance of one’s character, personality and convictions is the key to peace. I want to tell Agot that she has to choose her battles! I believe in our president and I am very happy with the way he is running the country. I support the war on drugs, which benefited the past administration. He is the man the Filipinos deserve at this point in time.
Amy Perez
I can’t do an Agot! I’m afraid! But I respect the fact that she voiced out her opinion regarding the way President Duterte is handling the affairs of our country. I admire her so much. She is very brave.
Tessie Tomas
Agot is a friend and I respect her opinion. This is a free country and government officials can benefit from honest feedback from citizens, especially because it is very hard to be objective about oneself. However, accusing someone of a mental disorder is rather insulting and not helpful.
Shamaine Buencamino
There is still freedom of speech in our present government, so Agot has the right to say what she wants to say. But I myself won’t do an Agot because I don’t want to feed the trolls.
Ces Quesada
It should be a free world. Agot has the right to say her piece just as anybody should have a right to say his or hers. We have been so polarised in this country that it becomes an act of bravery just to say what’s on one’s mind. The attacks on either side have been very vicious. I admire Agot for standing up for what she believes in. She does not deserve the dirt that’s being thrown at her.
Ali Sotto
Well, on my daily radio talk show with Arnold Clavio on dzBB, we do speak our minds (and sing our hearts out) about national issues, these days centered for the most part on the president’s unorthodox, controversial, oftentimes appalling, language and actuation. We get our fair share of bashers, but since we do political satire, the raucous humour takes much of the sting off. This will inarguably define Agot Isidro as one gutsy lady. It’s one thing to rant against the president among friends, and another to post it on social media, and open oneself to the backlash of the 16 million who voted for him! And to not back down despite the orchestrated rage that followed! Ang tapang! (How courageous!)
Bing Pimentel
I think Agot is fearless for posting such a message on FB, even though she knows that she’ll never hear the end of it from the president’s avid followers. I do share the sentiments, but I don’t see myself ever indulging in useless rants, useless, because the end result is negative more than positive.
Chris Martinez
Yes, I will do an Agot because, like her, I have a brain that functions, a mouth that can talk and fingers that can type. I will always speak my mind.—Philippine Daily Inquirer
Published in Dawn October 19th, 2016