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Toni Gonzaga hints at being ‘unbothered’ amid social media criticism for endorsing Marcos-Duterte tandem and Marcoleta

Published Feb 09, 2022 3:38 pm Updated Feb 09, 2022 6:31 pm

TV host and actress Toni Gonzaga has hinted at being “unbothered” over social media criticisms thrown her way for hosting the proclamation rally of Bongbong Marcos Jr. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Gonzaga, who attended the proclamation rally with husband Paul Soriano, received mixed reactions for supporting the Marcos-Duterte tandem and senatorial aspirant SAGIP party-list representative Rodante Marcoleta. To recall, Marcoleta was one of the instrumental figures behind ABS-CBN’s shutdown in July 2020

A number of Twitter users scored the actress for siding with the camp of Marcos Jr. due to the historical record of killings, human rights abuses and corruption during the Martial Law regime of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Journalist Raissa Robles also criticized Gonzaga for supporting Marcos’ presidential bid.

Gonzaga also came under fire for endorsing Marcoleta for senator, with some expressing their disappointment towards the actress. Many also pointed out how in July 2020, she called out the individuals responsible for rejecting ABS-CBN’s franchise. 

“Sa lahat ng nasa posisyon ngayon, hindi namin makakalimutan ang ginawa nyo sa mga trabahador ng ABSCBN... Just like the positions of the people in power today, what we are going through will not last forever. Troubles come to pass, they don’t stay,” Gonzaga was quoted as saying. 

Writer Jerry Grácio said Gonzaga should “resign out of delicadeza.” Gonzaga is one of ABS-CBN’s prominent celebrities and is known for hosting the reality show Pinoy Big Brother.

Broadcast journalist Marc Logan hit Gonzaga on Facebook, where he reposted an article on Gonzaga speaking up about the ABS-CBN layoffs.

Gonzaga hasn’t released a statement about her hosting gig at Marcos-Duterte’s proclamation rally, as of this writing. However, the actress reshared a post on her IG Stories describing her as “unbothered.”

In a July 2021 interview with vlogger Will Dasovich, Gonzaga also said that it does not affect her when social media "cancel" her.

"What’s important is that no matter how many people or how many times you are cancelled by other people, what’s important is you never cancel yourself," Gonzaga said.

In Jan 2021, Gonzaga drew flak for supporting a PBB housemate who previously supported the shutdown of her home network ABS-CBN. 

"It is not painful for me to be cancelled by society because I don’t cancel myself," said Gonzaga.

“Before you check on the likes on your Instagram or on Facebook, you have to wake up in the morning and tell yourself, ‘Toni, you like you? You like yourself? You like what you are doing? Yes, I like me.’ Then the rest of their likes is just bonus. Because you woke up that day, you wake up every single day, you know you like yourself, you know you like what you are doing, you like where you are at, you like the situation you are in, and that is the most powerful state and the most powerful place to be in when you like yourself because you are not betraying who you are," added Gonzaga.

A number of netizens, meanwhile, expressed their support for Gonzaga who did a “good job.”

Twitter user @pejobarahama said he “stands” with Gonzaga despite the criticisms on social media.

The hashtag #UnbotheredQueenToniG also became a trending topic on Twitter with over 6,000 tweets, as of this writing.

Prior to the proclamation rally, Marcos Jr. was interviewed by Gonzaga in a controversial episode of her web series Toni Talks in September 2020. The presidential aspirant was also a sponsor at Gonzaga and Soriano’s wedding in 2015.