8List.ph is published by ID8, Inc.

Netizens Have Mixed Reactions About Ces Drilon as Comelec Debates Moderator, But She’s ‘Dedma to the Haters’

Netizens Have Mixed Reactions About Ces Drilon as Comelec Debates Moderator, But She’s ‘Dedma to the Haters’

Apr 5, 2022   •   Alex Alvarez

On April 3, 2022, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) held its 2nd round of Presidential Debates for the upcoming elections in May. The debate saw 9 out of 10 presidential candidates, with only former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. absent from the roster. Aside from the candidates themselves, one of the people who captured the attention of netizens is the moderator: Ces Oreña-Drilon.

 

Ces Drilon, the moderator of Comelec’s 2nd Presidential Debates

Ces Drilon is a broadcast journalist who has spent decades with the news and public affairs programs of ABS-CBN. After the network had its franchise rejected and subsequently shut down, Drilon took a break. In 2021, she joined the Radio Mindanao Network-DZXL to host the public service program Basta Promdi, Lodi.

 

“Dedma pa rin siya”


To start the debate, Drilon introduced each candidate to the audience. When she came to the empty podium of Marcos Jr., she said: “Susunod dapat ay si former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., pero hanggang ngayon, dedma pa rin siya sa imbitasyon ng Comelec.”

“Dedma” is a colloquial Filipino word that essentially means the act of ignoring or feigning awareness, according to tagalog.com. The word is a shortened version of “dead malice”, and its meaning has since transformed over the years.

 

Some praised her

All bow down to Queen Ces Drilon.

Must! Channel! Her energy!

Moderating is a hard job, you know.

 

Others are hating on her

Other netizens, notably supporters of Marcos Jr., are throwing flak at the journalist, claiming she was “unprofessionaL” One netizen even wondered if she’s aging gracefully.

 

But are some of these just trolls?


Some netizens seem to have caught trolls simply using the copy-and-paste function to post sentiments against Drilon. Word for word. Character for character.

 

“Dedma to the haters”


Drilon only has one thing to say to those bashing her for the way she moderated the debate. It’s “dedma to the haters”, echoing her words from the debate introduction.

 

“Madame Moderator Ces Drilon”

On another side of the internet, some couldn’t help but notice that one candidate kept on repeating one phrase every time he spoke. Yes, it’s Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

Viewers have been keeping count of how many times Moreno has called Drilon “Madame Moderator.”

Na-umay na daw si Madame Moderator Ces Drilon, according to this netizen.

Isko’s supporters have made a meme out of it!

 

“Stress Drilon”

And finally, one slice of the internet honed in on one particular moment as the debate closed, specifically when the ending card was showing but you can still hear the microphones of the speakers. That’s the exact moment when Drilon heaved a deep sigh, and it seems a lot of people can relate.

Drilon’s heavy and exasperated sigh at the end is something most netizens can relate to.

What part of the 2nd Presidential Debate got stuck on your mind? Is it also about journalist Ces Drilon? Share them with us.


Total
1
Shares
0
0
1
Related Topics

Alex Alvarez is an aspiring writer and amateur stargazer.

You May Also Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your daily dose of entertaining, useful and informative lists.