ARNELL Ignacio is talking from experience – and no, the TV host and comedian is not sharing it gently to those criticizing Regine Velasquez for choosing to switch networks. Rather he’s telling them to “shut up” and to just listen to her sing and enjoy it.
Ignacio, a former contract artist of GMA-7, Velasquez’s previous home, wrote a scathing note about the fans who have been badmouthing the singer since her ABS-CBN transfer.
“Iyong mga bumabatikos kay Regine na ang sasakit nang sinasabi pero walang nalalaman sa kalakaran ng entertainment, ang sasarap ninyong pagsasampalin,” he said on Thursday.
He dared them to propose a current program on their former network where Velasquez can freely sing, arguing: “Saan mo ba lalagay si Regine sa programa ng 7, sige nga? Saan mo siya pakakantahin na programa ng 7?”
He also called out those who have been claiming that Velasquez was faking her tears, pinpointing a particular harsh comment he came across with while browsing online.
“Ano naman ‘yung comment ng, ‘Paiyak-iyak pa, I see the peso sign’? Sarap mo dagukan. Ano ba sa tingin niyo [kay] Regine? Welfare officer? Trabaho niya kumanta at may bayad ‘yun.”
“Kung malaki ibabayad sa kanya ano nakakapagtaka roon. Eh si Regine Velasquez ‘yan,” he added.
He concluded by recalling one of the earliest memories he had with her, back when the singer was still called Chona Velasquez and struggling to catch a break.
“This woman went through all the test of an entertainer and she passed all these with exemplary grades with even more to give. Sa inyo na walang alam, be thankful that we have Regine.”
“Listen to her singing enjoy it and shut up.”
Ignacio is currently the deputy executive director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. (ABS-CBN News)
