Netizens dismayed by Silent Sanctuary's appearance in BBM-Sara concert; Ely Buendia in Iloilo for Robredo event
It's campaign season and caucuses are well underway. And when it comes to political rallies, a star-studded array of performers are expected to be there and perform.
Among Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte-Carpio's performers in their Pangasinan caucus is OPM band Silent Sanctuary. However, many netizens appear to have had a "Di ko maintindihan ang nilalaman ng puso" moment.
A poster making rounds online shows that a "Unity Concert in Pangasinan" will take place at the Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park in Bayambang on Feb. 27, to be headlined by OPM icon Aegis and Silent Sanctuary. Indie band Avant Music will also make an appearance.
Bayambang Mayor Cezar Quiambao also shared a promotional video of the free concert on his Facebook page.
On Feb. 24, Silent Sanctuary wrote a Facebook post addressing fans. The band didn't explicitly mention the Marcos-Duterte event, but it expressed eagerness to meet attendees at the Saint Vincent Prayer Park on Feb. 27.
"North peeps!!! Gusto nyo bang tumalon tumalon sa saya? Hahaha," the post read. Makisaya at maki-jam ulit samin! Let’s G!"
But the announcement didn't sit well with many netizens, with several commenters putting Silent Sanctuary to the task for not supposedly being fortright about the concert-cum-campaign rally.
"Sana transparent po kung para saan talaga magpeperform," one Facebook user wrote. "For unity concert nung mga tatakbo and hindi for jamming lang di ba? (Pero sana nga for work lang din)."
"Dapat proud kayo sa totoong event. Kung talagang paniniwala niyong dapat suportahan ang sinusuportahan niyo, dapat hindi ikahiya," a certain Bibay Cordero de Larrazabal said.
Twitter user @sanghakric_kr pointed out that Silent Sanctuary's political stand isn't the issue at hand, but its lack of "transparency" over the Feb. 27 affair.
Silent Sanctuary being "BBM supporters" isnt the issue here. The can have their own political stand, let them its their decisions. The issue here is they are not transparent that the gig that will happen on Feb 27 is for a political rally. Yall should focus on that instead.
— sof is missing Eric (@sanghakric_kr) February 24, 2022
Other netizens, meanwhile, were more considerate, saying Silent Sanctuary members need to put food on the table especially that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their livelihood.
"Hayaan niyo na guys. Need nila ng gigs especially after the pandemic," user Ben Zayb commented. "At least alam na natin saan napupunta mga bilyon bilyong ninakaw ng pamilya Marcos noon sa bayan. Let's support Filipino talent."
For Pammie Omaña, "Antagal nila nawalan ng trabaho. Need nila mag work dahil may mga pamilya silang binubuhay.... ngayon na may magbabayad sa saknila para tumugtog... iggrab nila ang opportunity. Bayad sila jan eh. Bigyan natin sila ng benefit of the doubt....."
Silent Sanctuary has also become a trending topic on Twitter since the news broke. Twitter trends tracker trends24 showed that it has been trending over 17 hours ago and has been the case for at least 8 hours, as of writing.
Silent Sanctuary has yet to address the public's comments. Aegis and Avant Music, meanwhile, haven't posted anything about the upcoming event. Criticisms about their appearance have also apparently been little to none.
Other singers who have lent their voices to the campaign of the late dictator's son and namesake include Roselle Nava, Karla Estrada, Njel de Mesa, and Toni Gonzaga.
Ely Buendia in Iloilo for Robredo event
Former Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, meanwhile, is in Iloilo where Leni Robredo is kicking off a series of sorties amid the 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
See you soon, Iloilo!
— Ely Buendia (@elybuendia9001) February 24, 2022
"See you soon, Iloilo!" tweeted Buendia, who will be alongside celebrities and other personalities at Robredo's grand rally at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
Buendia had gone viral on Sept. 28 last year, when he replied to a fan that the Eraserheads, who disbanded in 2002, would reunite if Robredo runs for president in the 2022 polls.
Robredo, then, announced her candidacy on Oct. 7, days after the hot tweet. This kept Eraserheads fans on the edge of their seats and waiting with bated breath for the supposed promised reunion.
But Buendia clarified later on that his pronouncement was just a "half serious joke."
Other artists for candidates
Rivermaya and JK Labajo are also among the musicians who will grace the "pink" event in Iloilo.
Rivermaya previously closed Robredo's proclamation rally with a performance of its hit Liwanag sa Dilim.
Meanwhile, Freddie Aguilar recently performed an original song for Manny Pacquiao during his campaign in hometown General Santos City.
