ILOILO City – Event organizers in this city are being urged to exercise greater caution and ensure that performers adhere to established guidelines, especially for events with religious and cultural significance, such as the Dinagyang Festival.
This reminder comes after the Iloilo City Council announced plans to summon event organizers to explain an incident involving singer Juan Karlos “JK” Labajo, who used profanity during his performance at the recent festival.
The controversy stems from a viral video of Labajo’s January 24 performance in Mandurriao district, which has sparked public concern over preserving the sanctity of Dinagyang.
In the TikTok video, Labajo altered the explicit lyrics of his 2023 hit song “Ere,” replacing the line “Oh di ba? Nakakaput***-**a” with “Oh di ba? Nakaka-yu****ta.” The latter phrase, a bastardized Spanish term commonly used as an expression in Hiligaynon, drew criticism from local officials and residents.
Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed his disappointment over the incident, emphasizing that such behavior has no place in the Dinagyang Festival, which holds deep religious significance.
He won’t tolerate it, he said, pointing out that “Dinagyang is rooted in faith, and we must uphold its sanctity.”
Earlier, the mayor had also ordered the removal of a tarpaulin containing profane language at a food stall during the Dinagyang Food Festival, underscoring his commitment to maintaining the event’s decorum.
Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon echoed the mayor’s sentiments, criticizing Labajo’s use of offensive language, which he said was inappropriate and insensitive to the cultural and religious values of Ilonggos.
Ganzon also highlighted the potential negative impact on children, who might perceive such behavior as normal.
He suggested that Labajo could have replaced the explicit lyrics with culturally relevant phrases like “Hala Bira,” which aligns with the festival’s theme and would have been a more respectful way to engage the audience.
“This simple modification would have shown respect for our culture while still being creative,” Ganzon added.
Despite the incident, Ganzon acknowledged his appreciation for performers who contribute to the Dinagyang festivities and expressed hope that lessons could be learned to avoid similar controversies in the future.
In response to the controversy, the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), which organizes the Dinagyang Festival, is taking proactive measures. IFFI President Alan Tan described the incident as a valuable lesson for event organizers and performers.
Tan revealed that the IFFI is working with the Iloilo City Council to draft a resolution prohibiting the use of profane or vulgar language at all public events, not just concerts. The proposed resolution aims to promote decency, uphold cultural sensitivity, and discourage the normalization of profanity, particularly among the youth.
“This resolution is our commitment to ensuring that events in Iloilo City remain respectful and reflective of our values,” Tan said./PN
