With the anxiety that the COVID-19 pandemic brought upon the world, it comes as no surprise that many personalities may have encountered emotional moments or breakdowns once in a while.
However, with social media and keen-eyed netizens, privately experiencing breakdowns may not be a privilege for public personas.
Here are the 12 most memorable breakdowns of 2020.
President Rodrigo Duterte
Firstly, we have the head of state, President Rodrigo Duterte, who trended during his address to the nation attacking Vice President Leni Robredo over false information from some of his advisers.
To give context, VP Robredo led efforts in relief and rescue operations after Typhoon Rolly hit Bicol. Aside from that, she regularly updated her social media accounts on her camp’s disaster assessment and response efforts. This led some netizens to question the whereabouts of Pres. Duterte amidst the crisis. It spurred on the famous #NasaanAngPangulo, which led to his camp peddling misinformation to Pres. Duterte about VP Robredo using military aircraft for her relief and rescue information. This event led to Pres. Duterte’s tirade during his national address.
Later on, VP Robredo called out Pres. Duterte’s Camp for peddling fake news to the head of state. She also pointed out the misogynistic nature of Duterte’s administration.
Sharon Cuneta
Another entry for this list comes from the Megastar herself, Sharon Cuneta. Like any mother who will fiercely defend their child from harm, Sharon bared her fangs against a netizen who posted rape threats against her daughter Frankie Pangilinan.
The netizen, Sonny Alcos, slammed Frankie Pangilinan because of Senator Francisco Kiko Pangilinan’s authorship of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, or Republic Act No. 9344, that sets a minimum of 15-year-old for criminal liability. Alcos spurred on that he would go scot-free if he rapes Frankie at the age of 12-years-old given the sanctions of current laws authored by her dad.
Fearing for their child’s safety, Sharon went after the netizen with all the legal means she could utilize. Sharon vowed to hunt Alcos down and make him answer for his disturbing and inappropriate actions.
Kim Chiu
Another entry on our list is the actress Kim Chiu. In light of her ‘bawal lumabas’ statement, which earned her flak amongst netizens, she admitted to suffering emotionally after the backlash she received.
However, she owned up to the statement and used the publicity she gained through the viral video. Now, the ‘Bawal Lumabas’ phrase became her single and gave Kim a new digital series. Aside from the success Kim garnered, she also became one of ABS-CBN’s prominent hosts.
Coco Martin
Another Kapamilya on our list is the actor-director Coco Martin. During the ABS-CBN franchise hearing, Coco posted a video reacting to the netizens who agreed in favor of the media giant’s closure.
However, the video escalated emotionally, with Coco going on an intense outburst against the bashers and trolls. He even went as far as inciting scuffles with said bashers and trolls. Thankfully, ABS-CBN continued with producing content, including FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, and more recently, they returned to free TV thanks to the ABS-CBN and Zoe TV block time deal under A2Z channel 11.
Ethel Booba
Initially, Ethel Booba’s Twitter account became a beacon for netizens as it used humor to call out shortcomings of the current administration. However, in a sudden turn of events, Ethel admitted to not owning the account. She added that a different person was behind the satirically humorous posts slamming President Rodrigo Duterte on the said social media account.
Despite the success the said account brought upon her showbiz career and helped the comedienne remain relevant, she disowned it and created her own Twitter account, blindly favoring the current administration.
Gladys Guevarra
Another comedienne on our list is Gladys Gueverra. She posted an emotional video after she and her partner broke up. To make matters, worse her partner allegedly destroyed their source livelihood amidst the pandemic and took most of the money. The emotional video went viral, with many calling out her partner on social media.
Her partner, Leon Sumagui, revealed his side of the story disproving Gueverra’s claims. He also added the alleged violent tendencies of the comedienne, which led to their break up. The issue died down after the said revelation.
Mystica
Performer Mystica posted an online tirade accusing showrunners and staff of the upcoming GMA7 teleserye, Owe My Love of mistreatment. Mystica enumerated allegations against the production from the schedule, accommodations, and over-all treatment.
Owe My Love showrunners released a statement disproving Mystica’s claims. According to the production team, they accommodated Mystica to the best of their abilities. They also said that they asked her to leave the set after violating safety protocols during the locked-in filming.
After the altercation, the production team replaced Mystica. To this date, Mystica has no on-going showbiz project. But, she clarified that she has a benefactor aiding her financially.
Jobert Sucaldito
Talk show host Jobert Sucaldito posted a lengthy commentary about the ABS-CBN shutdown. His comments contained accusations of illegal dismissal of employees. He also called out the network for allegedly using the 11,000 employees as ‘human shields’ amidst the network’s franchise renewal hearing.
DZMM had dismissed Sucaldito over an insensitive and controversial joke on his radio program against actress Nadine Lustre, who had lost her brother to depression. Sucaldito then filed a lawsuit against the network, radio station, and showrunners for illegal dismissal.
Super Tekla
Super Tekla broke down on social media when he revealed his newborn son suffered from an imperforate anus. The comedian called on many of his friends in showbiz, with Willie Revillame in particular, asking for financial aid for his son’s operation. Thankfully, the Revillame answered and helped Tekla out.
Months later, another issue surfaced, in which his partner Michelle Lhor Bana-ag accused the comedian of sexual abuse. Bana-ag took back the allegations after her incoherent and inconsistent recollection of the said incident during her appearance in Raffy Tulfo’s public service program.
Xander Ford
Police arrested the online influencer Xander Ford, or Marilou Arizala after his ex-girlfriend accused him of physical assault and attempted rape. Earlier in 2020, his ex-girlfriend went on Raffy Tulfo’s program seeking the broadcaster’s aid.
After her appearance, his ex-girlfriend continued with the case, which led to the influencer’s arrest. Xander has posted 18 000 pesos bail for his release. Earlier, Xander came out as bisexual after the allegations his ex-made.
Angelica Panganiban
Back in 2016, Angelica Panganiban strongly supported President Rodrigo Duterte. However, with the recent pandemic, Angelica expressed her regret over her support. She initially criticized his response to the pandemic, alleged political attacks on Mayor Vico Sotto, and apologized to the public for supporting Pres. Duterte.
Since then, she has become one of the most vocal artists about social and political issues.
Daryl Ong
Singer Daryl Ong posted a vlog claiming that ABS-CBN allegedly banned the artist over foul comments amidst the network franchise battle. However, a vlogger named Kendra Quinto shared the other side of the story claiming that ABS-CBN didn’t ban the artist.
Additionally, he added that the other artist involved in the incident, Bugoy Drilon, apologized for his actions while Ong didn’t.
