What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. So says the lyrics of a popular song. So does Toni Gonzaga embody as she fights off negativity and cancel culture in her own way.
It started when she launched a video of her interviewing former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM)—since then, Toni has received much hate from those who are against BBM, even though she has used her online platform to interview many other personalities, including politicians who are also vying for the presidency.
When she hosted the proclamation rally of the UniTeam of BBM and vice presidential candidate Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, Toni received more vile remarks. It’s unfortunate that even those who call for democracy and freedom of speech and expression are also the perpetrators of negative campaigning and cancel culture. Toni has not been spared from the online bashing instigated by people who disagree with her political affiliation. Though she seems unbothered, it does not mean she tolerates the negativity. But it’s amazing how she is able to handle all of it. A big factor could be the love
and support that she is getting from her fellow UniTeam supporters. In fact, Toni is able to make good out of the hate—by emphasizing that the UniTeam and its supporters do not tolerate cancel culture, because their focus is the Filipino culture of unity.
Making a stand, fighting for her right
Toni’s tenacity amidst the bashing and harsh words thrown at her is incredible. She is able to make a stand and fight for her principles because she knows herself well. She explains this in one interview where she discusses about cancel culture.
She said that she has been used to being canceled after 20 years of being in the entertainment industry. What she has learned is this: “No matter how many people or how many times you were cancelled by other people, what’s important is you never cancel yourself. Everybody can be against you, but you never have to be against yourself. Because that’s the biggest betrayal.”
So instead of contradicting her critics, Toni maintains not only her composure but also her principles and political beliefs, which is very well within her rights.
We live in a democratic nation, and every citizen has the right to have his/her own opinion. Our right to suffrage gives us the right to have a political stand and choose leaders of the country based on our own principles. If we value democracy, then we must accept that not all people have the same beliefs as ours, and that we must afford each person the same respect that we demand for ourselves.
Toni has the right to her own opinion, just as all other public personalities have, just as all Filipinos have. She knows what she believes in, and she is well aware of her rights as a person and as a Filipino.
Maybe, like Toni, we should also focus on the message of unity that the UniTeam has been campaigning for in the past months. After all, whoever wins, the first order of business for the elected leaders is to unite the Filipino people towards a common goal for the country.
As for us Filipino citizens, once our new leaders have been elected and proclaimed, we must respect the people’s mandate, strive to keep aside our political differences, and be united for our country.
—alike.com.ph
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