‘Gameboys’ creators drop Filipino designer after he glorified Imelda Marcos
Jun Lana and Perci Intalan of The IdeaFirst Company took to Twitter to say they "do not condone glorifying those who have caused the oppression and suffering of so many Filipinos.”
This is after the company has removed from its website the merchandise for its hit Boys Love drama Gameboys, which was made in collaboration with designer Avel Bacudio.
Bacudio became viral earlier this week after he posted a video of the Philippine consulate in New York on Sunday, Dec. 20.
A text on the video said: “For me, ang pinakamagaling na first lady ng Pilipinas Imelda Marcos, tanging Pilipinas lamang ang meron embassy sa NYC at sa gitna ng Manhattan (famous street in the world). Ako ay Pilipino, taas noo kahit kanino.”
The video was also posted on Twitter but was later deleted. However, the Tiktok video could still be seen on his account.
Imelda Marcos, wife of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was convicted for graft charges in 2018.
Bacudio’s claim that the Philippines is the only country with “embassy” in New York City isn’t factual as the Philippine embassy to the United States is located in Washington, D.C.
As pointed out earlier by Interaksyon, what’s located in New York City is the office of the Philippine Consulate General.
On Tuesday, Dec. 22, The IdeaFirst Company tweeted that its merchandise line with Bacudio’s company Avel has been removed from their website “as we review certain issues that are incompatible with the values of the company and our artists.”
To those who are inquiring, the AvelxGameboys line was removed from The IdeaFirst Store as we review certain issues that are incompatible with the values of the company and our artists.
— The IdeaFirst Company (@theideafirst_co) December 22, 2020
Bacudio's fashion line Avel created face masks and clothing for The IdeaFirst Company as part of its merchandise for Gameboys.
On his personal Twitter account, Lana said: “Let me make it clear that as a company, we do not condone glorifying those who have caused the oppression and suffering of so many Filipinos.”
Meanwhile, Intalan said: “This is a heartbreaking issue because I don’t want to discriminate on people based on their personal beliefs, let alone my friends. However, especially these days, we have to stand by our conviction to always uphold the truth and fight for justice in any way we can.”
“I know that Avel is a good person and I will continue to welcome conversations with him especially about this issue,” he added.
This is a heartbreaking issue because I don’t want to discriminate on people based on their personal beliefs, let alone my friends. However, especially these days, we have to stand by our conviction to always uphold the truth and fight for justice in any way we can. https://t.co/pNKza1HwdI
— Perci Intalan (@percinotpercy) December 22, 2020
Let me make it clear that as a company, we do not condone glorifying those who have caused the oppression and suffering of so many Filipinos. https://t.co/iejQiKRvdM
— Jun Robles Lana (@junrobleslana) December 22, 2020