Toni Gonzaga draws flak from public, quits ‘PBB’ gig
After the severe backlash against the actress-host, Toni Gonzaga-Soriano announces her resignation as the main host for ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother last night through her Instagram account.
The IG post contains a picture of her as a PBB host and a personal letter, with the caption “Sending you all my love..❤️✌🏻”.
Her resignation was promptly after her hosting gig at the grand rally event of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos, Jr.
She also passed the reins to her co-host Bianca Gonzalez, who replied in Mariel Padilla’s comment under Toni’s post. “Nobody can ever take your place and do it like you, nag-iisa ka,” Gonzalez wrote.
The PBB management also released a statement regarding Toni’s departure from the program.
Public’s reaction
Netizens were enraged because of the fact that Gonzaga-Soriano introduced senatorial candidate Rodante Marcoleta. He is one of the main proponents of the closure of the ABS-CBN franchise, the host’s mother network.
Various current and former employees of ABS-CBN reacted to Toni’s apparent betrayal of the company.
Erik Matti, director of Honor Thy Father, gave a piece of his mind through an IG post, containing a repost from one of Toni’s stories.
“To give your support to any political candidate whether or not out of affinity, blood or loyalty is between you and your conscience. You can do whatever you want with your celebrity power and God’s guidance because this is a free world, after all. But to be brazen, arrogant, and snooty makes all of it despicable, disgusting, and really crude,” wrote Matti.
The director ended the post with a bold statement.
“Impunity and apathy run so deep in all of us.”
Matti’s post was filled with comments from different artists and celebrities in support of the director’s statement.
Fellow PBB alum, Dawn Chang, also expressed her disappointment with the host’s actions.
Chang wrote “I am deeply insulted and disappointed by the actions of my fellow kapamilya actress Ms. Toni Gonzaga. Paano nyo po nasikmurang suportahan at tulungan ang mga taong may malupit na nakaraan sa kasaysayan ng bansa at sa pagkawala ng trabaho ng mga kasama natin sa industriya?”
“As a former PBB housemate, alam kong magtatampo nyan si Kuya.”
Just recently, Toni’s husband director Paul Soriano also came under fire because of his participation in the Marcos-Duterte ad shoot. The director is a known supporter of the Marcos family, even before the official campaign season started.
