Donny Pangilinan took to social media to call for an end to online hate following the backlash Shuvee Etrata received after she was seen visibly flustered upon seeing him at a birthday party in a video that has since gone viral.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Donny addressed the growing negativity online.
"Hey guys, I’m out of the country right now on a short break, but I’ve been seeing a lot online. I don’t usually speak up, but I think it’s about time we stop spreading hate and constantly comparing people. There are far more important things happening in our country," he wrote.
The actor expressed concern over how easily people engage in online bashing without considering its impact.
"I feel like we’ve gotten too comfortable throwing hate online without thinking about how that affects actual human beings who have done nothing wrong. This is for all fandoms. Artists have lives, too. It’s gone below the belt. Why did we reach this point?" he pointed out.
Donny also urged netizens to leave his onscreen partner, Belle Mariano, out of the issue.
"As for Belle, please keep her out of your narratives. She is beautiful, talented, and most importantly, has a great heart. Nothing you say or do will change that," he stated.
READ: Donny Pangilinan praises Belle Mariano's growth as an actress
Addressing the viral video, Donny stressed that the situation was taken out of context, reminding fans that artists are friends in the industry
"I told Shuvee the videos were going around out of shock, as I went to dinner at first thinking it was just going to be intimate and private. People forget we are all friends in this industry. Why do we keep pitting people against each other?" he said.
He also responded to accusations that he benefits from the controversy.
"And to those who think I just enjoy the clout and people getting bashed, you clearly don't know me. Feel free to leave. There is no space for that here. I am and never was about that," he stressed.
He concluded his post saying: "That's all from me. Hope everyone's doing okay despite how horrible our situation is right now in the country. Thank you to those who continue to spread love. Have a blessed Holy Week! Love y’all."