Toni Gonzaga Opens Up About the Intense Criticism She Faced in 2022
TONI GONZAGA – Ultimate Multimedia Star Toni Gonzaga looked back on one of the most controversial chapters of her career during a recent interview.
Toni Gonzaga recently recalled the intense backlash she allegedly experienced during the 2022 elections. In the latest episode of “Luis Listens,” the conversation touched on her career move back in 2005 when she transferred from GMA Network to ABS-CBN. The topic came up as Toni and host Luis Manzano discussed how different the industry landscape was at the time.
“Kumusta ‘yong transfer na ‘yon?” Luis asked. “Noong time na ‘yon kasi matindi ang network wars, e. Ngayon collab-collab na tayo, e.”
Looking back, Toni admitted she was grateful that social media was not yet dominant during that period. “Thank, God, walang social media. Can you imagine kung may social media na noon,” she replied.
She then compared the situation to what she went through during the 2022 elections. “Kung ano ‘yong [ikinabugbog] ko noong eleksyon noong 2022…’yong level no’n, siguro magka-level ‘yon no’ng time na ‘yon, kung may social media na no’ng time na ‘yon.”
According to Toni, the rivalry between ABS-CBN and GMA Network was extremely intense at the time of her transfer. She described it as the peak of GMA’s dominance, citing some of the network’s biggest programs then. “‘Yon ‘yong peak ng GMA with ‘Eat Bulaga,’ ‘Darna,’ ‘yong primetime nila, ‘SOP,’” she added.
Her transfer in 2005 happened during what many considered the height of the so-called “network wars,” when competition between the two major television networks was fierce. Toni’s reflection highlighted how public opinion and criticism might have been amplified had social media been as influential then as it is now.
It can be recalled that Toni became one of the most controversial personalities during the 2022 presidential elections. In fact, she received a wave of criticism after interviewing then-presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
Her recent statements shed light on how she views both pivotal moments in her career, the heated network rivalry of the mid-2000s and the political backlash she faced years later, drawing parallels between the intensity of both experiences.
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