MANILA, Philippines – The issue may be over now but singer Dingdong Avanzado took the opportunity to clarify his statements about Isabelle Daza’s controversial hashtag last month which earned the irk of the people of Siquijor.

In an interview with members of the press Wednesday, July 8, for his upcoming concert, Dingdong, who serves as Vice Governor of Siquijor said he made the effort to fix the situation after he kept getting complaints from his constituents in the province. 

Isabelle was criticized on social media after she posted the #SiquijoWhores during a trip with her cousins to the province.

“My attention was called by my constituents sa social media. Siguro maraming nakapansin sa  [#SiquiWhores] term. Nung una ko nabalitaan iyan, na tagged ako, I knew that it was done in a joking way, a jest and term of endearment… But kaso may mga tao na conservative ang views, it did not sit well with them,” Dingdong said.

(I guess many saw the [#SiquiWhores] term. From the start when I heard the new, when I was tagged, I knew that it was done in a joking way, a jest and term of endearment… But there are people whose views are conservative, it did not sit well with them.)

“And then finally, I called the province what’s the situation there, ‘Ano ba ang sinasabi nila?  ‘Hay naku vice!’ I was speaking to a councilor ‘gusto siya i-declare na persona non-grata.’ Sabi ko sandali lang, I will look into this.  So I said I’ll make a statement in the hope that it will be maayos na Isabelle will clear it,” he explained.

(What are they saying? ‘Vice,’ I was speaking to a councilor, ‘they want her to be declared persona non-grata.’ I said just moment.)

Dingdong said that he made the statement on Instagram because that’s where the issue started. In the end, Dingdong said that Isabelle explained her side and apologized. (READ: Isabelle Daza apologized over Siquijor hashtag – vice governor)

“More than that it was really for my constituents. I thought of handling in that manner.  Sabi ko klaruhin mo ( I said clarify it) before we jump into any conclusions. I was actually giving her a chance to clarify which she did and she apologized.” 

When told that others have also used the hashtag, Dingdong said: “They are not as popular as her (Isabelle). And when you are a celebrity, you have to understand that there is a certain responsibility. You are talking about the locals reacting to that statement, pronouncement. It may have been done in jest, it may not mean no harm, play of words but bottom-line may mga tao na na-offend… if you were in my shoes you cannot just brush that. It would have been a worse kung naging persona non-grata siya, ” he said. 

#HITBACK concert

On July 24, Dingdong will return on stage at the Teatrino, Promenade in Greenhills for a concert.  Entitled #Hitback, Dingdong said that he is looking forward to performing because he will be joined by his band The Doorbells. It will also serves as his birthday concert with his wife singer-actress Jessa Zaragoza and daughter Jayda a performing with him. 

“I am looking forward to that. I am very excited to be working with the Doorbells. Yung song na familiar kasi, iniiban namin yung treatment,” Dingdong said of the music he and his band will be performing. (The songs that are familiar , we will give it a different treatment.)

Dingdong also said that misses singing for his fans. 

“The energy, the interaction of the audience. I feel I was born to perform. Bata pa lang ako, I was already exposed to music,” he said.

“There is something about being on stage,” Dingdong said. “There’s a sense of fulfillment. It really makes me want to give my all. Especially kung gusto mo yung song na ginagawa mo, you like the atmosphere. Those are the things that I miss and look forward to when I perform.”

Aside from The Doorbells and his family, Dingdong will also have Noel Cabangon as his special guest. The concert will also coincide with the celebration of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino led by the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM). Dingdong serves as one of the organisation’s board directors. 

Dingdong said that aside from his guests and the band, his fans should expect songs from the past which they will definitely enjoy. 

“My version of my song  that they were listening to, may Doorbell version. May mga kanya-kanyang kaming version. Abangan nila yung mga number namin ni Jayda, yung mga OPM, yung number namin ni Jessa, ni Noel Cabangon. I am very excited with my collaboration with Noel, because this is the first time na [we will work] together in a show like this…ano yung maging tunog. (what the sound will be).” – Rappler.com