Social media personality Papi Galang has come to the defense of her longtime friend Toni Fowler amid criticism accusing the influencer of allegedly tolerating or enabling people who have made controversial decisions in their personal lives.
In a social media post, Galang said she does not normally issue public statements to defend other people but decided to speak about Fowler after seeing the criticism directed at her.
“Sa sampung taon ko ng nakakasama si Toni, I’ve seen her went through a lot. Lahat ng pagkakamali, pagsubok at pagbangon na naranasan nya,” Galang wrote.
Based on her own experience with Fowler over the past decade, Galang rejected the characterization of her friend as an “enabler” or “tolerator.”
“You can call her names, pero sa isang dekada ko syang kasama NEVER syang naging ENABLER o TOLERATOR when it comes sa MALING DESISYON sa buhay,” she said.
Galang also said Fowler has never portrayed herself as someone who has done nothing wrong.
“NEVER NAGMALINIS yan at AMINADO sa mga pagkakasala nya, na habang buhay nyang inihihingi ng kapatawaran at pinagbabayaran,” she wrote.
Her statement came amid online criticism involving Fowler and personalities within or associated with her circle.
Social media discussions have also mentioned Jen Oliveros and Yumi Garcia in connection with the controversy. Claims concerning their respective personal relationships have circulated online, but Galang did not directly identify all of the personalities she was referring to in her post.
Galang argued that acknowledging someone’s accountability for past decisions does not mean that person should no longer be given an opportunity to change.
“Yes it doesn’t erase the fact na NAGKAMALI sila ng desisyon sa buhay at ACCOUNTABLE sila pero hindi ito ang tuldok sa bawat storya ng buhay ng tao,” she said.
She added: “Kasi after all we are all just humans. We make mistakes, we learn and we grow wiser through the years.”
Galang also described her personal experience of having Fowler as a friend.
According to her, Fowler is not someone who simply agrees with or supports everything her friends do.
“Toni is the greatest friend you can ever have. Prangkahan ipamumukha sayo lahat ng pagkakamali mo at hinding hindi ka iiwan sa panahong nilulubog ka na ng mundo,” Galang said.
Galang went on to praise Fowler for what she said were the ways the influencer has helped other people over the years.
“Toni Fowler, sa lahat ng kilala kong MAKASALANAN, ikaw ang PINAKATOTOO at PINAKAMARAMING NATULUNGAN,” she wrote.
She said Fowler’s assistance to others has not been limited to financial or material support, claiming that her friend also openly shares lessons from her own experiences.
“Hindi lang sa MATERYAL, PINANSYAL pati na rin sa BAWAT LIFE LESSONS na naranasan mo na binabahagi mo samin para matuto at wag kang gayahin sa mga PAGKAKAMALI na nagawa mo,” Galang said.
She also thanked Fowler for what she described as her continued kindness despite the criticism she has faced.
“Salamat sa pagiging mabuti mong tao despite sa pagiging cruel ng mundo sayo.”
Galang ended her statement by saying she believes Fowler has changed through the years and has made choices not to repeat parts of her past.
“A big part of who she is now, is who she chose not to be anymore and I hope mahanap nyo yung peace sa pagiging totoong tao,” she said.
