Finally, Jane de Leon, the newest star tapped to play the iconic role of Darna, has issued a statement as to why she was silent all through the days when her home network was denied its franchise renewal.

De Leon seemingly addressed her absence from the noise barrage and rallies staged for retrenched workers of her network in an Instagram post yesterday, July 19.

“I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MYSELF. We all know how hard life is with so many things happening globally and here in our country. Especially now that we are going through unique difficulties. Each of us has a different approach on how to resolve and overcome these challenges,” she said.

“Masakit po sa akin ang nangyari sa ABS-CBN dahil pangalawang tahanan ko na rin po ito na syang nagbigay sa akin ng mga opportunities to gradually reach my goals in life, na unti-unting nagpabago sa buhay ko at ng aking pamilya,” de Leon added. “And I will forever be thankful sa ABS-CBN and its Management.”

(I was hurt by what happened to ABS-CBN because it was my second home and it gave me opportunities to gradually reach my goals in life, which slowly changed my life and that of my family.)

She stated that while she sympathizes with fellow workers who lost jobs, she can express her support for the network even without attending noise barrages and rallies, owing to the imminent threat of COVID-19.

“However, let us not forget that in the bigger picture, we are still at risk because we all have an invisible enemy to deal with. Our health and that of our loved ones are at stake. As the COVID infection rate in our country continues to rise, hospitals and facilities are nearing, if not reached, full capacity,” she explained.

“Let’s not forget that our Frontliners continue to face life and death situation as they ore being challenged in saving more lives. Dadagdag pa ba tayo sa lumolobong bilang at patuloy [na] pagtaas ng COVID cases sa [ating bansa]?” (Will we have ourselves added in the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the country?)

For the young actress, there is no substitute for being positive in the midst of the pandemic, as she asked, “Masama po bang maging positibo lang sa ating pananaw sa kabila ng kahirapan at paghihinagpis? (Is it bad to have a positive view in the midst of poverty and grief?) I don’t believe that it’s fair to stop doing things you ought to be doing everyday just because of the negative situations around us. Even if the world stops, we still have to keep moving forward.”

jane de leon IG — Jane de Leon. Image: Instagram/@imjanedeleon

“We can show our support in many ways. Let us not be judgmental and imposing on what others should do according to personal standards and beliefs. Wag po sanang mangibabaw ang galit sa ating puso, bagkus ay pairalin natin ang respeto sa isa’t-isa at umasang malalampasan din natin lahat ito,” she added. (Let us not allow anger to prevail in our hearts, let’s have respect for each other and wish that we will all surpass all of these.)

In the end, de Leon stressed the power of prayers, asking everyone to “continue to do better to improve ourselves and continue helping those in need. Everyone is capable of this. Even a little goes a long way.”

Meanwhile, her statement was met with mixed reactions from fans and followers, with some not overlooking the fact that the statement was issued after Angel Locsin’s call for her fellow Kapamilya stars to speak up for their home network and its workers. Some went so far as saying that one who plays Darna should be brave, and that de Leon should not criticize those who chose to go to the protests. Some of de Leon’s followers nonetheless applauded her for finally speaking up.

Locsin, one of ABS-CBN’s biggest stars, also played Darna in a hugely successful TV series in GMA in 2005, before her transfer to ABS-CBN in 2007. Meanwhile, de Leon replaced another ABS-CBN star, Liza Soberano, in the role of Darna following Soberano’s withdrawal due to injuries. JB

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