Recently, a music video about the Philippines and its relationship with China as “warm neighbors across the sea” made the rounds on social media.
Titled “Iisang Dagat”, Jukebox Queen and Vice Governor of Camarines Sur Imelda Papin was one of the singers tapped to sing the song.
But Filipino netizens are far from pleased about it and Papin got backlash from netizens for taking part in the music video,
What the fuck is this?? Stop feeding us with your propaganda. STOP ROMANTICIZING INVASION THROUGH A SONG OF UNITY!!!!
Also, isn't Imelda Papin the Vice Governor of CamSur? This is TREASON! https://t.co/eTxkEUVEaY pic.twitter.com/jNbJ8adOlL
— Matt Yu (@yomattyu) April 25, 2020
The song released by the Chinese Embassy was met with massive online backlash, mainly from the Philippine community bashing its message.
Imelda Papin is either the most talented dumbass in the Philippines or broke as fuck. Puwedeng both.
— Carlos (@carlos_rossi19) April 25, 2020
This is my response to the music video which featured Imelda Papin, who's not poppin btw. Lamang na po ang dislike button. Chars pic.twitter.com/fOylkaJGzD
— @TheShepherd (@AngManunupa) April 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/judemangilog/status/1253700524127338496
Please get out of the WEST PHILIPPINE SEA and pay us for the economic damages caused by COVID-19. Stop claiming our territories! West Philippines Sea is for the Filipinos! This is literally mind conditioning.
Imelda Papin anong ginagawa mo? You're a fucking traitor.
— Pain❌ (@NclRsMarcera28) April 25, 2020
#WeStealAsOne with Imelda papin pic.twitter.com/sEhJBgrFXx
— marimidel (@marimidel) April 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/Gabgrielle/status/1254007916161454081
There are a lot of controversial issues that China is facing right now, one of these is the accountability that other nations are seeking because of COVID-19.
Thousands of Americans in the US state of Florida have signed up for a class-action lawsuit asking the Chinese government to account for the harm COVID-19 has caused..
China has denied that they tried to cover up the origins and severity of the pandemic, adding that they reported the outbreak to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In other news, China recently announced that two new districts would be established in the West Philippine Sea. Its government will hold office on Yongshu Jiao, the name of China for the Philippine-claimed Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef.
🇨🇳 #Breaking: China approves 2 new districts in Sansha City, Hainan. Xisha District, with government in Yongxing Island, will administer the Xisha and Zhongsha islands and waters; Nansha District, with government in Yongshu Isles, will administer the Nansha Islands and waters. pic.twitter.com/Coe4UpHdSE
— CCTV Asia Pacific (@CCTVAsiaPacific) April 18, 2020
Given this encroachment, the song really did not sit well with Pinoys.
https://twitter.com/AntiChinazi_/status/1253970221171236865
https://twitter.com/thelauren_cc/status/1253908716497199106
https://twitter.com/DarwinAwardsPH/status/1253937662420901890
The Juke Box Queen immediately defended herself after receiving criticism for appearing in the said music video.
In an interview with Mario Dumaual of ABS-CBN News, the singer argued that the song was about “peace,” that she had not taken any talent fee for the album,
Papin stressed that the song is all about unity,
“At ang message ng song, it’s all about unity — awitin ng pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan at pag asa.”
She also shared that she was personally chosen by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xi loan, who also composed the song, to participate.
“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.”
IMELDA PAPIN IS CANCELLED.
Propaganda again from ANOTHER LADY CALLED IMELDA!
Do the Chinese & Papin want to thank COVID19 frontliners? Or do they want us to forget that China "stole" our seas—w/ Gongdi's complicity?
EXCUSE ME! WALANG 'IISANG DAGAT'—THERE'S ONLY 1 WEST PH SEA! pic.twitter.com/Vwl5rqQb8x
— Francis Baraan IV (@MrFrankBaraan) April 25, 2020
The West Philippine Sea is not "Iisang Dagat" for China and the Philippines, like Imelda Papin and her gang want us to believe.
It is not even for the Dilawan only or for the DDS only. The sovereign lands and seas are for THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.
Let's unite for #ChExitPh Party! pic.twitter.com/MQ6WetrQqd
— JP Abecilla (@JPAbecillaPH) April 25, 2020
