One of the artists who were criticized over the ABS-CBN franchise renewal issue was Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo.
With Congress’s rejection of the ABS-CBN network’s application for a franchise renewal, more than 11,000 workers are in danger since the company is forced to implement a major retrenchment due to the limitation of its operations.
This prompted the networks’ talents, workers, and supporters to publicly call for an appeal and give their home network a second chance.
However, they did not only call out the Congress but as well as other artists who have been silent and have not shown any support to the fight against the media giant’s crisis.
Sarah, who has not commented anything about the issue, finally broke her silence on June 19 as she posted a lengthy statement on her Instagram account.
Together in her post was a picture of a lit candle with Bible verses from John 3:15-16 and Proverbs 31:8-9. “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
In her statement, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Kapamilya network for their undying support in her career and for offering opportunities that gave her the success that she is facing right now.
“Malaking bahagi po ng aking karera ang ABS-CBN. Maliban po sa pamilya ko at sa aking manager na si Boss Vic, ang ABS-CBN po ay ang network na ilang beses na sumugal at sumuporta sa akin bilang artista at performer,” she said.
“Niyakap nila ako at inalagaan nang husto na parang kanilang sariling ‘anak’ o homegrown talent. Malaki po ang utang na loob ko sa network na ito at habangbuhay ko po ipagpapasalamat ang bawat oportunidad, tiwala na ibinigay nila sa akin,” she added.
She then asked an appeal to give ABS-CBN another chance, a chance to again be of service to the Filipino people.
“Bagama’t napakasakit po na matanggihan, patuloy pa rin kaming sumasamo, nakikiusap at umaapila, nagdadasal para sa aming hangarin na mabigyan muli ang aming minamahal na ABS-CBN family ng isa pang pagkakataon. Pagkakataon na makabawi kung meron mang naging pagkukulang, pagkakataon na malawakang makapaglingkod, makapagbigay serbisyo sa mamamayang Pilipino,” she said.
Sarah is also one with all the Kapamilya employees who lose their jobs following the verdict to shut down the company.
“Mahal ko po ang aking ABS-CBN family. Mahalaga po sa akin ang bawat empleyado na labis na nagdadalamhati ngayon dahil sa kawalan ng trabaho. Nakikiisa po ako sa kanilang apila na muling makabalik sa trabaho upang patuloy na makapagbigay ng serbisyo para sa kani-kanilang mga pamilya at para sa bansa,” she said.
She ended her statement with a call for unity, implying that every Filipino should stand strong not only against the ABS-CBN crisis but also of the Covid-19 pandemic
“Nawa’y magkaisa po tayo, maghawak kamay, at magtulungan para malabanan ang malubhang krisis o pandemya na hinaharap ngayon ng ating bansa pati na rin ng buong mundo. Naniniwala po ako na walang di natin kayang malagpasan basta’t tayo’y nagkakaisa sa panalangin at pagsisikat, sama-samang nagpapakita ng tunay na malasakit at pagmamahal para sa ating bansa, para sa ating kapwa,”
“Ako po si Sarah Geronimo, di lamang artista, isa ring mamamayang Pilipino na umaapila para sa mga labis na apektado ng COVID19. Magtulungan po tayo, wag po tayo magwatak-watak. Ituon po natin ang ating pansin at pokus sa ating mga kababayan na sugatan at pasigaw nang humihingi ng saklolo dahil sa pagod, sakit, at pagdadalamhati.”
“MAGKAISA PO TAYO PARA SA ATING MAHAL NA BANSANG PILIPINAS. MAGKAISA PO TAYO PARA SA ATING KAPWA,” she said.
Aside from this, Sarah has already earlier showed her support right after Congress decided to reject her home networks franchise renewal.
To be rejected is painful and disheartening.. but we continue to trust in God for He is for us and He is always in control.
ABS CBN continues to be in the service of the Filipino people worldwide. pic.twitter.com/h1UL5c1zkl
— Sarah Geronimo (@JustSarahG) July 11, 2020
Praying for humility, forgiveness,and love to rule in everyone’s heart. pic.twitter.com/UQi1fuSjx8
— Sarah Geronimo (@JustSarahG) July 10, 2020
Despite her proving that she is one with the Kapamilya’s call. Some netizens still think that she is just really trying to show off and for her to avoid criticisms.
https://twitter.com/MarHub5/status/1284778437979193344
https://twitter.com/dbigbangtheory/status/1284779055712108545
Salamat naman at nagsalita ka na pero dapat consistent ha? Yong hindi ka na dapat pang icall out, yong maagad. Ang katahimik mo kasi bilang isang "homegrown talent" ng @ABSCBN sa mahabang panahon nakakarindi at nakakagalit. Nagmukha ka tuloy walang utang na loob. #IbalikAngABSCBN
— Hanash Daily #KikoBam2025 #HeidiSonny2025 (@BIENsays) July 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/BejeranoKhel/status/1284790295897374722
While others recognized her appeal and showed their appreciation and support for Sarah.
Ewan ko ba, ilang beses kong binasa ang message mo Sarah pero ilang beses din ako naiyak. Tagos sa puso ang bawat salita na binitawan mo. 17 years na Kapamilya ka, more than half of your life you spent here in ABS-CBN. We salute you so much for being so grateful. We love You.
— Cris Castillo 4.0 (@TitaCluvSarahG) July 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/RedCoraline2001/status/1284778429288607751
popsters wag tayong mag watak watak lalo na sa panahon ngayon, wag nang gawing negative ang NEGA na talaga.bushers are always be a bushers lalo na kung makikita nilang isa ka dn sa kanila..JUST SPREAD LOVE..I LOVE YOU ALL..
— Marissa Capinig (@capinig_marissa) July 19, 2020
Hanggang ngayon patuloy mo pa rin napapatunayan na isa kang mabuti, marespeto, matalino at mapakumbabang tao. Kaya di ka kayang ibaba ng sinuman, mula noon hanggang ngayon. Salamat sa pagiging mabuting ehemplo. Saludo at nagmamahal lagi sayo…
WeLoveYou Sarah G
— angela (@THREEpointZeero) July 19, 2020
