Almira Cercado, a member and the eldest sister of the Pinoy music group 4th Impact, addresses the wave of cyberbullying and misconceptions surrounding them in recent weeks.
The controversy began when 4th Impact initiated a GoFundMe campaign in February this year, aiming to raise USD100,000 or approximately PHP6 million, for a "dream land" for their 200 shih tzu dogs.
Due to concerns raised by animal rights activists and veterinarians regarding inbreeding and housing such a large number of dogs, 4th Impact reduced the goal to USD10,000 or PHP600,000 on March 2, 2024.
What worsened the reception of their fundraiser is the timely circulation of their photos attending Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour in the U.S.
According to Ticketmaster, tickets to see The Eras Tour range from USD49 (PHP2,800) to USD499 (PHP28,000) when it first hit went on sale in November 2022, while resale prices can run from USD500 (PHP28,000) to USD7,000 (PHP397,000).
Read: 4th Impact takes down GoFundme page for 200 dogs after backlash
ALMIRA'S DEFENSE
In a lengthy statement shared across her social media platforms today, April 15, 2024, Almira runs through the accusations and media amplification of negative accounts about their family.
The first part of her post conveys her feeling of isolation despite receiving guidance from her circle: "l am so sad and alone inside.
"Despite of the support and advice from our family, from our spiritual advisor Father Bob, from our friends who knows the law etc. They have advised to just keep SILENT which we did for a while.
"I was trying not to read the comments ever since the bashing started but i guess it's too much to contain when you're only human."
She adds that it has been especially difficult for them since they have "no avenue, no big management, no big network, no labels to back us up for this.
"No PR to defend independent artists like us but i believe SOCIAL MEDIA is what we only have to defend and speak up."
Almira notes that although her explanation "won't change the opinions of others," she feels the need to "protect my sisters from the harm of cyber bullying" as the eldest of the group.
"From all the hate comments we received and all the negative and false accusations that media has amplified and twisted so we will look like a villain..
"We were raised to just be humble and just endure everything as the saying goes in filipino ‘pagpasadiyos na lang natin lahat’
"Mama keep saying just ignore bashers ‘Hindi natutulog and diyos’.. I know this is not necessary to explain but for the sake of moving on i have to explain this.."
ON BACKYARD BREEDING
Almira relates the backstory of how five pups grew to 200: "Yes from 5 shihtzus from different fans and these 5 pups are not related at all.
"I have gifted one boy my GUCCI and he mated all the girls except bombom.
"They multiply so fast and we have given some of them to our friends who are capable to take care of them ,believe me it took us so much heartache before we have to let go of them.
"Last year 2023 we went here in LA to chase our dreams and we were given a work visa and we were able to record our first EP which we did independently with the help of our ultimate fan."
According to her, it was Dreamers—4th Impact's official fandom name—who contributed substantially towards their longings and goals.
She continues, "Early this year we are facing one of the biggest challenge of our lives when we receive a noise complaint from our neighbor so we are forced to find another place for our male dogs.
"So i made a gofund me page coz i believe we have DREAMERS who knows our story and that they will support my vision of putting up a farm..
"I guess i didn't think carefully before i did it bcoz i will do anything in LEGAL WAY just to provide for our dogs..
"But days after the false accusations (March 4) and the horrible news i decided to DELETE it myself and the funds are already REFUNDED to our dreamers minutes after it was deleted.."
THE ERAS TOUR ATTENDANCE
Once more, Almira stresses that Dreamers were also behind their presence at The Eras Tour in Los Angeles.
She also clarifies that the concert they attended happened last August 2023, with their photos only circulating when the issue arose.
"The eras tour (happened in SOFI STADIUM here in LA not in singapore) last Aug 2023 and is just a gift from our dreamers and its a last ticket purchase so even we are in destructive view we still enjoyed watching TAYLOR SWIFT..
"We have the best fans in the world they also bought us tickets to Renaissance Tour, Bruno Mars show and Katy Perry show in Vegas..
"We even got our studio becoz of their enormous support in our livestreams."
TAKING A STAND AGAINST CYBERBULLYING
Through her statement, Almira reaffirms their commitment to their music career and their dreams, urging an end to hateful comments and a focus on positivity and perseverance.
She writes, "This post is basically letting everyone know that we are closing this chapter and that we are NEVER Irresponsible pet owners.
"We never go to parties, dont have social life, bcoz we are the bread and butter of our whole family..
"We finance our studies and finished the degree by singing but our DOGS are the only stress reliever for us and meant the world to us so we will do anything to provide for them (Dog food,vaccines,bday celebrations name it)..
"And we will work harder to buy them a FARM one day..its not gonna be easy but i know we will get there!"
Almira concludes her message with a reminder to build a healthy space on social media instead of fueling hate.
"We are not famous and we are aware of that but that doesn't mean we have no right to try to reach for our goals and dreams.. LETS NOT USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO SPREAD HATE!
"We dont have the choice but to continue chasing for our dreams even we want to give up sometimes..
"Sometimes its hard to fight when you are alone..we help a lot of people but in these troubled times we are the one to be blamed and no one else could ever speak up in behalf of us...
"Even friends in the industry tried to make fuss about us...I guess now we understand who are REAL FRIENDS to us..
"But at the end of the day i realized we just love to perform and inspire people. MUSIC has changed our lives from a probinsyana raised IN ISABELA to being 4th Impact."
"People say we are 4 impactas, no impact, madam inutz variants Name everything u want but i dont care..
"As long we are not stepping on someone we will be proud that singing is our bread and butter ..Marami pa kaming mission and we sing bcoz of that purpose ..
"Pls STOP all hateful and harsh comments We will never QUIT and we will continue to pursue our dreams.. kahit mahirap ..Laban lang. Spread LOVE"
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