Why Are KathNiel Fans Making a Stand Against Karla Estrada’s Run for Public Office?
Oct 13, 2021 • Kyzia Maramara
Oct 13, 2021 • Kyzia Maramara
Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s (KathNiel) fans didn’t hold back from sharing their opinions on Karla Estrada and her decision to run for office under the Tingog Partylist. Showbiz and politics have always overlapped in the past, but just why are fans so pressed this time?
Estrada filed for a certificate as Tingog Sinirangan partylist’s third nominee. The move raised some eyebrows online especially since the partylist’s current representative, Yedda Romualdez, is one of those who voted to reject the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise last July 2020.
Kuya JC replied.
tweeting this still with the ht para mas malawak makakita. guys, tell me your thoughts.
#WithdrawKarlaEstrada pic.twitter.com/CxDuThkmk3— 🌤 (@dftjang) October 8, 2021
JC Padilla, Estrada’s son and Daniel’s brother, gave everyone the reason behind the decision. Apparently, Estrada joined the opposition in the hopes of helping them change their mind about ABS-CBN. Maybe this was a case of “keeping your enemies close” enough so you can turn the tables on them.
Obviously, that didn’t sit well with KathNiel fans. They were still confused as to why Estrada chose to partner with people involved in shutting down her son’s home network and hampering hundreds of livelihoods in the process.
Media personalities poured congratulatory comments under Estrada’s official announcement on Instagram. Toni Gonzaga, Melai Cantiveros, Candy Pangilinan, and Ruffa Gutierrez are just some of the celebrities who expressed their support. But it looks like in spite of the celebrity support, her son’s fandom thinks differently.
We know that we are nothing to compared to other group that have been supporting you for so long.
But 9 years of supporting you is not a joke to us, it’s special… and it wasn’t easy to make decision like this.
This is an open letter to you, @bernardokath @imdanielpadilla. pic.twitter.com/2kvMc1PjCL
— KATHNIEL (@MMXIkathniel) October 9, 2021
To let everyone know that they disagree with Estrada, Twitter fan accounts have been posting open letters addressed to Kathryn and Daniel themselves. This particular one by user @MMXIKathNiel recalled how back in 2020, in the middle of the ABS-CBN shutdown issue, the pair fought for press freedom, those who lost their jobs, and those who were victims of the abuse of power. A year later, Daniel’s parents are now part of the group that is the complete opposite of what their son stands for.
“Ms. Karla Estrada has signed with Tingog Partylist because she believes that she can change their stand re: ABS-CBN franchise,” said the letter. “We think differently. If you fight for [what’s] right, you will never team up with people who once practiced oppression.”
KATHNIEL FAN ako at ako ay di pabor sa TINGOG PARTYLIST!!
FACTS: Yedda Romualdez voted YES to lowering the age of criminal liability to 9 years old. She also voted YES against ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
MISS @Estrada21Karla PLEASE!!!#WithdrawKarlaEstrada pic.twitter.com/otQg1UVV63
— azein. (@ilive4kathniel) October 8, 2021
Another issue MMXI KathNiel raised is how Estrada’s team seems to have been urging fan accounts dedicated to her son to repost campaign teasers. It added that the admins of the fan accounts were not aware that it was connected to the candidacy.
The group ended the letter by saying they are willing to cut off their support for the love team until they respond to the fandom’s calls to take a stand. “We are calling Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla to take themselves out of this, to take a stand and never allow their names to be involved [with] someone’s political gain that they don’t support and against their beliefs.”
“9 years of supporting you is not a joke to us, it’s special… and it wasn’t easy to make a decision like this,” captioned the fan account. “Everything is political. And we make choices that involve more than 100 million people,” it ended.
As of writing, MMXI KathNiel’s Twitter bio has been changed to say “MMXI KathNiel is now offline.”
As for ABS-CBN, they issued their own statement regarding Estrada’s “desire to continue serving her kababayans” as a public official. They simply said that they respect her decision and that they wish her well as she continues her mission of service. Estrada is one of the hosts for ABS-CBN’s Magandang Buhay.
The KATHNIEL loveteam were taking efforts in rallying and campaigning for press freedom and the jobs of 11,000 people in the time of pandemic.
and now Karla Estrada is with TINGOG PARTYLIST who agreed with ABS shutdown. HIRAP TALAGA MAGPALAKI NG MAGULANG! #WithdrawKarlaEstrada pic.twitter.com/oNmOeaz5UZ
— Ligaya 🇵🇭 (@_ligayaxx) October 8, 2021
Over at Twitter, fans of the loveteam trended the hashtag #WithdrawKarlaEstrada. They didn’t hesitate to express their concerns not only for Estrada’s political stance but also for the tight spot it will put her son in.
As a mother, I couldn’t imagine using my child to fulfill agendas that hurt so many people. Daniel is put in a tought spot & ultimately if he does support, I would be disappointed. You’ve fought so hard for the franchise and this step just ruins everything. #WithdrawKarlaEstrada
— Jules (@kthwynb) October 8, 2021
I am so proud of KathNiels who are taking a stand for what’s right. This fandom has really gone a long way from being perceived just as fanatics to responsible and mature individuals. KNs have grown beautifully through the years, just like Kath & DJ. #WithdrawKarlaEstrada
— Mave Nice (@mave_nicegirl) October 8, 2021
It’s high time we put to rest the assumption that fans idolize their favorites to the point that they’re blinded by everything else. In this age of information, fans can decide for themselves where they draw the line between adoration and blind devotion. But that isn’t to say that it’s easy to make a stand, especially when that means distancing yourself from something you’ve loved for so long. KathNiel fans simply want their favorite love team to speak out so they can decide where they stand in the aftermath.
I am so proud of KathNiels who are taking a stand for what’s right. This fandom has really gone a long way from being perceived just as fanatics to responsible and mature individuals. KNs have grown beautifully through the years, just like Kath & DJ. #WithdrawKarlaEstrada
— Mave Nice (@mave_nicegirl) October 8, 2021
My final say… I’ll stay! And i will continue to support and love you two coz i know deep in ur hearts we have the same principles! Still I will not support karla estrada and her PL. Never! I’m here to love and support #KathNiel alone! @bernardokath @imdanielpadilla
— 🌺 NexY 🌺 (@jenexy35) October 12, 2021
What do you think of KathNiel fans making their stand against Karla Estrada and her party list?
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Kyzia spends most of her time capturing the world around her through photos, paragraphs, and playlists. She is constantly on the hunt for the perfect chocolate chip cookie, and a great paperback thriller to pair with it.
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