Allow me to quote the synopsis headline on Diary Ng Panget's DVD: "A beautiful romance can start ugly." On today's historical trending event, let me rephrase the quote to something relatable to KathNiel and JaDine National Friendship Day: "A beautiful friendship can start ugly." True enough. But how did it happen? Wait, did it really happen? Well, yes, with much surprise, it actually happened.
Letter from JaDines
I was browsing through my timeline when someone tagged me this photo. It’s a letter from a JaDine fan account encouraging KathNiels and joining the trending topic #WalangBibitawKathNiels. So that made me wonder what the buzz is all about, until I have read the thread and visited Daniel Padilla’s account. I opted not to divulge too much on the issue but to describe the situation, I think it’s really a tough blow to Daniel, Kathryn and to the whole KathNiel fandom.
It made me proud seeing how the JaDine fans initiated and extended support to KathNiels. How I see it, it’s not immaturity, crab mentality, ‘rivalry,’ not even ‘fandom wars,’ that prevailed. It’s how we understand them as Fan Girls, protecting their idols from nonsense haters and scandal makers posting a threat to their idols’ career. If it happened to James and Nadine, bet we would also react the same thing, and yes, we need encouragement from other people who believe; so that’s why this thing happened.
Letter of Response from KathNIel
To be honest, as much as I want to join the KathNiel and JaDine bayanihan event, at the back of my head I was afraid that people from other fandom might misconstrue the support that we're expressing. Of course, I still couldn't gauge how would the KNs react, coming from what happened way back, not until it trended and I saw this letter of response from KNs.
With the response note from KNs, I know that it's unfair to generalize their fandom. Felt goosebumps upon reading this. I know that you, guys, made Kathryn and Daniel very proud.
September 19, 2014
Today marks a turn of events that even the management of ABSCBN would be very happy and proud of both fandoms. Although we both had different trending activities “#WalangBibitawKathNiels” for KN and “OJD Never Ends / JaDine on Manila Bulletin” for JD, there’s a spark of hope and unity when I saw “KathNIel and JaDine National Friendship Day.”
I know that Daniel doesn’t need any fandom wars for now. He already said that in an interview to cease the tension. What Daniel and Kathryn need now is support from everyone; not fandom wars, hate tweets, counter attacks, commotion, but moral support, prayers, trust and love.
Just a single tweet can make a difference. And so it trended:
Change of Hearts
Peace, love and open-mindedness result to change of hearts. “Sorry Po!” (*Insert Chichay’s tone here).
I see a lot of KNs and JDs exchanging sorry tweets to each other. Cheers to a healthy life because love and forgiveness have overcome hate. Some hate accounts even confessed that because of the support of JDs to KNs, they’re going to close their accounts for good. I hope that should there bee any hate accounts from JDs to KNs, guys, I hope you should do the same as well. Look at the tweets below:
Not Such a Bad Thing
There’s always good in bad situations. The one who allegedly spread the viral audio/video aimed to put a good man down, but it turned the other way around. Supporters of Daniel joined hands in praying and supporting the teen king and also the teen queen. Unity among fandoms has also happened between KathNiels and JaDines. I am not saying that ‘good thing it happened.’ No, it’s not like that, what I want people to do is to think positive and be mindful of the blessings instead of the bashers. No amount of hate can ever defeat the love and positive vibes that we are giving to our idols. Remember that.
Quoting what Daniel said on his 2nd to the last tweet:
Embrace challenges because that will make you stronger. Embrace challenges because that will solidify your team.
I
Matter of choices
You have power over your emotions. You have freedom to choose what to believe. Choose whether you are in a good side or in a bad side. Which side would make you feel at ease? Which side would make you feel better? Which side would make you feel stronger? It’s your choice. I always remind JaDines about this.
It’s your choice if you want to worry. It’s your choice if you want to be anxious. It’s your choice if you don’t want to accept reality. It’s your choice if you want to have a corruptive mind.
On DJ’s issue, we all have our own takes about it. True or not, ask yourself one question. Do you love Daniel? Do you really love Daniel? That’s how I ask myself in order to manage my judgments, do I love James? Do I love Nadine? The answer is, yes... I love James and Nadine; and I choose to believe the person that I love. Acceptance again is an issue here. If your idol commits mistake, it’s your choice if you want to walk away or stay. But if you unconditionally love your idols, I sure know that your stay-in power would last a lifetime.
Same goes to the FAKE TWEET that has been circulating hours after a harmonious exchanging of messages between KNs and JDs. It was an edited tweet allegedly coming from one of the fan accounts of JaDines. That fake tweet made the KathNiels question the sincerity of JaDine fans.
Not that I am defending the JaDine fans, but I know, I really know, that if not all, MAJORITY of them sincerely want to make peace, want to help, want to support. To be honest, as I browse through the trending topics and even the timeline, I see nothing but that pure intent to be one of the support systems of KathNiel in this heartbreaking issue. But then again, it’s your choice. It’s your choice to believe in goodness or believe in something that would corrupt your mind and make you furious; just like DJ’s situation, it’s your choice if you want to believe in that rumor or be swayed by it.
But reality bites, there will always be that kind of basher who wants chaos rather than peace. Bottom line is, life check, I have a happy life. My conscience is clear. How about you? Imagine a life full of hatred, I don't want to live a life like that.
Nonetheless, James and Nadine didn’t teach us to to celebrate the misfortune of others. They taught us to respect, to relax, to pray for them and spread love.
Eyes on the price
Tomorrow is another day. This too shall pass. Continue to spread love because love conquers all, love conquers defeat, love overcomes challenges, love covers flaws and a whole lot more.
We are all fan girls here. We have the same mission. To protect, promote our idols and we can do this without bashing other artists. This goes to all. Let us not practice crab mentality. Let us all move forward. Promote who you love, don’t bash who you hate. JD - James and Daniel, and KN - Kathryn and Nadine, pare-pareho lang silang natra-trabaho. They work in the same network. So we have to be united.
Let us all be responsible as supporters of James and Nadine, of Kathryn and Daniel. It’s not just a fandom, we carry their names - remember that our fandom names are derived from the combination of our idols' names; likewise, we carry their names. I don’t expect to persuade everyone. There will always be devil advocates around the corner. But I hope this can make a difference. Bashers are inevitable. It’s normal in the industry. But I’d rather stay away from the bad vibes and keep my eyes in promoting the people that inspire me.
So, cease fire? Cease fire. I suggest to everyone that if in case another conflict arises in the future, look back and visit this blog. It will remind you that one day in our lives, unity happened between KathNiels and JaDines.
We are behind your back KathNiels. Praying for you. We respect Kathryn and Daniel. I sure hope that the feeling is mutual for James and Nadine.
Whether it is temporary or permanent, still, Happy KathNiel and JaDine National Friendship Day. Keep Safe everyone!
Credits to the owner of the pictures and screencaps. Thanks everyone for helping me.
Comments? Follow me on twitter: @JadinePublicist
