Controversial content creator Darryl Yap admitted on Tuesday, June 7, that he was bothered by Quezon City’s declaration that he and comedian Ai-Ai delas Alas is now unwelcomed in the city.
The QC Council has approved the resolution filed by District IV Councilor Ivy Lagman proclaiming that both Yap and delas Alas are personae non gratae after disrespecting the Quezon City official seal in a video posted on the content creator’s social media page.
The Vincentiments director shared his reaction through an interview with SMNI.
He said, “Mayor Joy Belmonte is a friend of Senator Imee Marcos and I’m completely aware of that. And Mayor Joy, way back then, a month ago, was in a race kontra naman kay Sir Mike Defensor. I don’t actually feel any hard feelings or I don’t bear any ill feelings towards Mayor Belmonte because she is entitled to feel offended or feel like inasar siya or nilait siya or anything.”
The QC Mayor ran for re-election and won against former Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor. Yap and delas Alas endorsed and supported latter in the mayoral race.
He explained that the order does not affect him because he is a resident of Mandaluyong. However, he has friends and clients from QC.
“So will it affect me? I think so.”
Yap was also concerned with delas Alas knowing that GMA Network is situated in the city.
“But Nanay Ai-Ai, si Ma’am Ai-Ai delas Alas po is a resident of Quezon City. I think she will be surprised. Nasa Amerika siya ngayon.”
He defends his “Ligaya Delmonte” video.
Yap insisted that there were other reasons why they became “personae non gratae.”
Satirical videos, according to him, were meant to send their message in a “comical way.”
“Kapag halimbawa, ikaw ay gumagawa ng mga spoof o satire, hindi mo talaga completely one hundred percent na inilalayo ang subject mo para makuha ng tao.”
He was referring to his “Ligaya Belmonte” video that starred delas Alas as the QC Mayor.
Yap was concerned about his future content becoming unacceptable to residents of the city.
“So ngayon, hindi ko alam kung ano ang kahindik-hindik o hindi magandang matatanggap ng aming content mula sa mga taga-Quezon City.”
However, he clarified that he has no “ill feelings” toward the QC Council, accepting the rendered order.
He pointed out that 27% of his viewers were from QC, and that he is still welcomed by its residents on social media.
“My presence is actually felt not physically in Quezon City but in social media. I don’t think they can declare my social media presence and relevance non grata in Quezon City. So with that, I completely accept the repercussions of what I did.
“But then again, they have the power to do that and I also have the power to do things my way so no hard feelings.”
He also stressed, “My presence will not be declared unwelcomed on social media as long as people are sharing it. As long as people are feeling the good vibes and the positivity of each contents, naniniwala ako na welcome ako sa kahit na sino, kahit taga-Quezon City pa ‘yan.”
Yap found the resolution “immature” and “very elementary” to bar content creators and celebrities from making something that might offend government officials. The filmmaker even clapped back at politicians whom he thought are “onion-skinned.”
“I find it very rudimentary for these politicians to actually take it personally. Sa palagay ko, mas marami silang ginawang hindi katanggap-tanggap para gawing unwelcome.”
The reaction from the Quezon City Government also made him realize that his creations have relevance in society.
“Isa lamang po itong pagpapatunay, pagpapatotoo, at pagpapahalaga na ang aking mga video, pelikula man o maigsing video na aming ina-upload sa Vincentiments ay may relevance, makatotohanan, tinatanggap ng madla.
“At ang kanila pong pag-aray, sa sabi nila ay pagyurak daw sa matulis na bagay na ito na tatsulok na ito, iyan po ay kanilang kalayaan. At ang aking pagkakaroon ng follow-up video ay nasasaklaw rin sa kalayaan ko bilang alagad ng sining at isang content creator.”
