Several personalities expressed their support for Liza Soberano amid criticisms about her career and viral vlog.
Liza earned public scrutiny on social media after she expressed her sentiments in the showbiz industry as a former Kapamilya talent in a vlog titled “This is Me.” This video was uploaded on her YouTube channel on February 26.
“I’ve sacrificed my childhood, I’ve sacrificed my freedom, I’ve sacrificed my happiness to present Liza Soberano to the world and I think I’ve earned the right to finally be me, to finally be able to do things for me as Hope Soberano,” she said.
Liza also re-introduced her real name “Hope” to her viewers. Her full name is Hope Elizabeth Soberano.
RELATED: Former Kapamilya head writer responds to Liza Soberano’s ‘This is Me’ vlog
Several Filipinos, however, took offense to it and perceived Liza as “ungrateful” for the opportunities given to her as an ABS-CBN star.
Shower of support for Liza
Filipino-American TikToker Olly on Twitter pointed out that Liza has the right to air her frustrations about the local entertainment industry.
“This new [generation] of love teams have no creative freedom. They make the same 10 movies. I love Filipino films, but it’s true. Juday, Piolo, Echo, Kristin, Claudine, they all had other work outside their respective love teams,” he tweeted.
“Liza Soberano has every right to share her frustrations,” Olly added.
This new gen of love-teams have no creative freedom. They make the same 10 movies. I love Filipino films, but it’s true.
Juday, Piolo, Echo, Kristin, Claudine, they all had other work outside their respective love-teams.
Liza Soberano has every right to share her frustrations.
— Olly (@otakoyakisoba) February 28, 2023
In his tweet, Olly also mentioned the controversy that erupts when popular love teams decided to do solo work.
“Instead of bashing Liza, let’s see where she’s coming from. There [need] to be more diverse and versatile roles that will push growth within actors,” he said.
Theater actor Reb Atadero, meanwhile, talked about “utang na loob” culture. The phrase translates to “debt of gratitude” in English.
RELATED: ‘Out of proportion’: Liza Soberano’s dad calls out critics calling daughter ‘ungrateful’
“’Utang na loob’ culture CAN kill creativity,” Reb stressed on Twitter.
“Liza Soberano wanting to try something new to grow AS AN ARTIST is somehow being crucified as an ingrate? Di ba you want better entertainment? Artists need to explore for that to happen. They won’t grow if the system won’t allow them,” he added.
“Utang na loob” culture CAN kill creativity. Liza Soberano wanting to try something new to grow AS AN ARTIST is somehow being crucified as an ingrate? Diba you want better entertainment? Artists need to explore for that to happen. They won’t grow if the system won’t allow them.
— Reb Atadero (@rebranger) February 26, 2023
Liza used to be a talent of Star Magic for 11 years. She is known for her roles in “Forevermore”, “My Ex and Whys”, “Alone/Together”, and “Make It With You.”
In 2022, she signed up with James Reid’s record label, Careless Music.
Bringing up a past interview
Some online users also brought up Liza’s statement way back in 2019 when asked about the possibility of working with other actors and actresses in the future.
At that time, the actress perceived it to be a bad time for her and her boyfriend Enrique Gil to do other projects separately.
“Parang I don’t think it’s really time for us yet to separate; but it’s really inevitable because we really need it for our growth and also for the company’s growth as well,” Liza was quoted in a report as saying.
Ayn Bernos, a former contender of Miss Universe Philippines and content creator, said that the 25-year-old actress has changed since then.
Ayn said this as a reply to a Twitter user who brought up Liza’s response in the old interview.
“Bawal mago-grow from your 2019 self? The conversation around this blows my mind. Let her live. If you don’t like her, don’t support her. We are all just observers anyway. Might as well be non-obtrusive ones lol,” Ayn said.
“Go, Liza, go follow your dreams,” she added.
Bawal maggrow from your 2019 self? 👹 The conversation around this blows my mind. Let her live. If you don’t like her, don’t support her. 🤷🏽♀️ We are all just observers anyway. Might as well be non-obtrusive ones lol.
Go Liza, go follow your dreams ✨ https://t.co/G0Qu9fizKY
— Ayn Bernos (@aynbernos) February 28, 2023
Liza’s fans also rallied behind her. They brought up instances when the actress made headlines for her advocacies and political views, including fighting for ABS-CBN’s franchise.
bffr 😭😭
ang totoong hot take ay liza soberano is more than just a pretty face!! https://t.co/6OAJDK4Fnu pic.twitter.com/zQXmHA1iLu
— Sehun Araullo (@vicentejian) February 22, 2023
liza soberano did this for abscbn. she’s one of the most vocal person during abscbn shutdown era. and now, these kapamilya alt accounts using her as content just to send hate to her? i’m sorry to say that casuals are on liza’s side and you can’t bring down the EMPOWERED WOMAN. pic.twitter.com/iDWccydXcj
— . (@soberanofics) February 26, 2023