Imelda Papin Defends Herself After Singing Chinese Embassy’s COVID-19 Unity Song “Iisang Dagat”
IMELDA PAPIN – Filipina singer Imelda Papin defended herself after receiving social-media backlash for singing Chinese Embassy’s COVID-19 Unity Song “Iisang Dagat”
On April 24, the Chinese Embassy released a song titled “Iisang Dagat” on their and Twitter and Facebook Page. The lyrics of the song display “mutual support” between the Philippines and China amid the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said he wrote the lyrics.
The Filipina “jukebox queen” and Camarines Sur Vice Governor, Imelda Papin, sang parts of the song, along with Chinese actor Yubin, Chinese diplomat Xia Wenxin, and Fil-Chinese singer Jhonvid Bangayan. It also featured the statements of DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin, DOH chief Francisco Duque, and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Lots of netizens took to Twitter to air their dismay over Imelda Papin’s participation in the music video. They roaster her for supporting China and the Philippines’ ‘partnership’ amid coronavirus crisis.
Recently, ABS-CBN News reporter Mario Dumaual interviewed Imelda Papin regarding the backlash she received from the Filipino netizens. The ‘Isang Linggong Pag-ibig’ singer said she did not accept talent fee since ‘Iisang Dagat’ was about “unity” and she was only hoping that the song would inspire her countrymen during these difficult times.
“Dapat huwag bigyan ng kulay…kasi mababa ang morale ng tao ngayon… Ngayon ang panahon na dapat magkaisa at wala na munang away,” she said.
Read her full statement below:
“Hayaan natin sila ipagdasal ko na lang. Kasi hindi naman ako nag presenta. Ako Mismo ang kinuha… bilang chosen artist ni Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian – the composer of the song – at ang message ng song – it’s all about unity -awitin ng pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan at pag asa.”
“Dapat huwag bigyan ng kulay. Kasi mababa ang moral ng tao ngayon. Dapat sa pamamagitan ng boses ko ay tumaas mang moral ng ibang tao at makapagbigay-inspirasyon na ngayon ang panahon na dapat mag kaisa wala na munang away”
“Ang title ‘Iisang Dagat’ para ding isang mundo yan. Bakit i-criticize ang participation ko.”
“Bakit hindi sila kumibo sa mga tulong na binibigay ng China —doctors, protective equipment etc. Bakit ako?”
“I pray for everyone and as Filipinos let us all pray together and healed as one! Hindi ako sumingil kahit isang centavo.“
“For love and unity.”
Last month, the Chinese government allegedly launched new facilities in the disputed waters despite the ruling Arbitral Tribunal in 2016.
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