JERRY OLEA
Nagsanga-sanga na ang “halfies” issue na pinauga nina Brandon Espiritu at Jether Palomo noong Hunyo 10, 2026, Miyerkules.
Noong Hunyo 12, Biyernes, ay may meme ng pagbati sa dalawa, “Halfie Independence Day!”
Read:
Marian Rivera's viral Q&A with Jether Palomo resurfaces online
KENNETH CABUNGCAL’S OPEN LETTER
Nag-post din ng open letter sa Facebook si Kenneth Cabungcal, grand winner sa Misters of Filipinas 2023, first runner-up sa Man of the World 2024, at fourth runner-up sa Mister Supranational 2025.
Pero nalabuan ang netizens kung ano ang nais ipunto ng liham.
Ipinagtanggol ba ni Cabungcal sina Brandon at Jether? Mula ba sa puso ni Cabungcal ang liham o payanig iyon ng AI (artificial intelligence)? Naintindihan ba ni Cabungcal kung ano ang core ng “halfies” issue?
Komento ng isang netizen: "Being half-Filipino was never the issue, disrespect was."
Narito ang bahagi ng open letter ni Cabungcal: “Like many Filipinos, I understand the frustration, disappointment, and emotions surrounding the recent issue involving ‘halfies’ in the Philippines.
“We all have the right to express our opinions, especially when it comes to representation, identity, and what it means to be Filipino.
“But beyond our differences in perspective, I hope we can choose something greater: love, peace, and understanding.
“Since moving to Manila, I’ve had the opportunity to live with and become close friends with many people who are half-Filipino and even those who are not Filipino by blood at all. I’ve seen their struggles firsthand.
“I’ve watched them leave their families behind, take risks, and work tirelessly to pursue their dreams as models, artists, and professionals. Life here is not easy for them. They face challenges, sacrifices, and uncertainties just like many Filipinos do.
“What touched me most is how much they genuinely love our country. They embrace our culture, respect our traditions, and appreciate the warmth of our people. Many of them choose the Philippines not because it’s easy, but because they believe in the opportunities and beauty this country offers.
“This is why I hope we can move away from hate, personal attacks, and cancel culture. Criticism is valid, but cruelty is not. We can have conversations without tearing people down. We can stand for what we believe in without forgetting our humanity.
“The Philippines deserves to be a country that welcomes people with compassion. A country that values character over bloodlines. A country that understands that being Filipino is not only about genetics, it is also about values, respect, resilience, kindness, and love for the nation.
“Whether someone is full Filipino, half Filipino, or comes from a different background altogether, what matters most is how they carry themselves and how they contribute to the community around them.
“Let’s build a healthier environment where people are encouraged to grow rather than be hated. Let us become bigger people with bigger hearts. Let us choose understanding over division, forgiveness over resentment, and unity over hate. “Because at the end of the day, the world doesn’t need more anger. It needs more love. “And the Philippines can lead by example. “With love and respect, “Kenneth Cabungcal”
KENNETH MARCELINO TO THE RESCUE
Hunyo 13, Sabado, nagpaliwanag si Kenneth Rios Marcelino sa Facebook kaugnay sa pinost ni Kenneth Cabungcal.
“To the rescue si boyfie!” pagbibiro ng netizens.
May nagsabi pang, “Love wins!”
KenxKen o The Kens ang tawag sa tandem ng dalawang Kenneth, na magkaibigan lang daw.
Sa pagsaklolo ni Marcelino, sinabi niyang “medyo na-overshoot lang ni AI ang paggawa ng open letter.”
Naungkat kapagkuwan ang intrigang merong lumang video si Marcelino na pinapaligaya ang sarili.
Ang NKKLK, nag-deactivate kapagkuwan ng Facebook account niya si Marcelino.
Pero sabi nga, screenshot is forever. Nagkalat online ang screenshot ng explanation ni Marcelino.
“Dahil ako ang kausap ni Kenneth buong araw kahapon, gusto ko lang linawin ang totoong nangyari.
“Una sa lahat, hindi pinagtatanggol ni Kenneth si Brandon. Sa totoo lang, mali rin naman para sa kanya ang naging mga komento nito sa nakaraang video.
“Hindi rin sila ganoon ka-close ni Brandon. May pagkakataon pa nga na humingi si Kenneth ng tips kay Brandon para sa kanyang Supra journey, pero hindi naman siya sinuportahan nito at binaliwala.
“Kaya ganoon ang naging post niya. Marami kasing kaibigan si Kenneth na mga foreigner at half-Filipino. Kasama pa nga niya ngayon ang ilan sa kanila sa condo kung saan siya nakatira.
“Nakikita niya mismo ang hirap na pinagdaraanan ng mga ito lalo na’t bagong salta pa lang sila Maynila at sinusubukang mag-adjust sa buhay dito.
“Kaya nang gamitin niya ang salitang ‘halfie’ sa kanyang post, hindi iyon para mang-atake o magpasimula ng panibagong gulo. Ang layunin niya ay medyo bawasan ang pagkalat ng hate at hikayatin ang mga tao na magpakita ng mas maraming pagmamahal at pag-unawa.
“Nadadamay na rin kasi ang mga kaibigan niya sa usapan, kaya ginawa niya iyon bilang paraan ng pagprotekta sa kanila dahil hindi naman lahat ng halfie ay pareho ng pananaw at paniniwala ni Brandon.
“Kaya sana matapos na natin ang isyung ito. Ito ang totoong detalye ng nangyari kaya stop na po natin ang hate, Love you all!
“At oo, medyo na-overshoot lang ni Al ang paggawa ng open letter.”
Tuloy, tinaguriang Mister ChatGPT si Cabungcal.
JOVY MORANTE's revelation
Nito ring Hunyo 13, Sabado, nag-post sa IG Stories ang Misters of Filipinas 2023 candidate na si Jovy Morante.
Hindi man pinangalan ni Jovy ang tinutukoy na bully, si Kenneth Cabungcal ang itinuro ng netizens.
Pagsisiwalat ni Jovy: “I just need to let this out. Recently, there has been an issue about people mocking Filipinos, and there's this one person who posted an open letter as if he's helping address the issue. If you know, you know.
“But honestly, he was the biggest bully in our batch during Misters of Filipinas 2023. He constantly picked on me and treated me as if boundaries did not exist.
“The organization knew about his behavior, but he ended up being the winner, and I respect that.
“Not everyone wearing a suit and tie embodies the values they publicly promote.”
GORGY RULA
Maganda ang reputation ng KenxKen bago sumawsaw si Kenneth Cabungcal sa “halfies” issue.
Meron silang brief auction para makalikom ng pondo na itutulong sa mga biktima ng lindol sa Mindanao.
Ngayong nag-deactivate si Kenneth Rios Marcelino ng Facebook account, paano na ang project na iyon?
Sa bullying issue na pinayugyog ni Jovy Morante, may sagot kayang open letter ang tubong-Dumaguete na si Kenneth Cabungcal?
Meron kayang aagaw sa “korona” ni Kenneth Cabungcal bilang Mister ChatGPT?
Ang mga halfies, dapat bang maruno silang umawit ng "Lupang Hinirang" at mag-recite ng Panatang Makabayan?
Ang Misteryo sa Halfies… bow!!!
NOEL FERRER
Hanggang sa sinusulat ko ito ay wala pa akong nakitang anumang statement ng Sparkle GMA Artist Center para sa talent nitong si Brandon Espiritu.
Naglabas ang Sparkle GMA Artist Center ng statement nitong Hunyo 12, 2026, bilang denial sa pag-uugnay kay Bianca sa tech entrepreneur and philanthropist na si Jonathan Sterling, ama ng dinadalang sanggol ni Celeste Cortesi.
Dahil doon, yung mga nakapansin ay naintriga at nagsiyasat. Bakit sa kaso ni “Halfie” Brandon ay wala tayong narinig, samantalang heto nga’t nagsanga-sanga na nang di natin akalain ang isyung ito? Bakit kaya?