Members of the popular Filipino girl group BINI found themselves at the center of online criticism for wearing face masks upon arriving at an airport. The critique was initiated by a Facebook user, whose post quickly went viral and sparked a wide range of reactions from the online community.
In his Facebook post, he expressed his disapproval of BINI members wearing face masks, suggesting that the girl group was attempting to hide their identities from the public. Moreno compared BINI and the renowned singer Sarah Geronimo, praising Geronimo for her openness and humility in public spaces despite her two-decade-long career in the entertainment industry.
Moreno’s post emphasized Geronimo’s multifaceted talent—dancing, singing, acting, and modeling—while emphasizing her continued humility and willingness to engage with fans. He pointed out that Geronimo never acts like a ‘Disney princess’ in public spaces such as airports or events and expressed hope that BINI would follow her example.
However, Moreno’s criticism did not sit well with BINI’s dedicated fanbase, known as Blooms. Fans swiftly came to the group’s defense, arguing that the members of BINI have every right to protect their privacy, especially in public places like airports. They emphasized that wearing face masks is a reasonable measure for privacy, security, and safety of health.
One member of BINI, Colet, seemingly aware of the issue, posted selfies with a mask on.
here hehe pogi diba pic.twitter.com/2mY1kV0yn5
— C O L E T (@bini_colet) July 16, 2024
Blooms argued that the members of BINI, like any other individuals, should be allowed to safeguard their privacy without facing public backlash. They pointed out that Moreno’s expectations were unrealistic and that public figures, despite their fame, deserve personal boundaries.
Moreno, in response to the backlash, asserted that public figures have a narrower right to privacy compared to ordinary citizens, citing several court decisions to back up his claim. He argued that if BINI members wish to avoid public scrutiny, they should consider resigning from their positions in the entertainment industry.
Despite his criticism, Moreno clarified that he is a fan of BINI and that his remarks were aimed at what he perceived as excessive attempts by the group to conceal themselves, rather than a direct attack on the members themselves.
The controversy also gave rise to humor and lighthearted reactions from social media users. One tweet humorously noted, “Only in the P-pop industry do you see netizens getting annoyed because idols are wearing face masks and shades, and P-pop idols playfully teasing back. We love you @bini_colet.” Another tweet playfully suggested, “Suggest raw po kayo kung ano susuotin para sa mga Gensan Blooms 😂 Hirap na hirap po silang mag decide 😂 [Please suggest what they should wear for the Gensan Blooms 😂 They’re having a hard time deciding 😂].” Additionally, a fan humorously proposed, “Shoutout sa brands ng mask, cap, and shades, kunin nyo na as brand ambassador ang girls namin hehe [Shoutout to the brands of masks, caps, and shades, hire our girls as brand ambassadors hehe].”
The incident underscores the ongoing debate about the balance between public figures’ privacy and their responsibilities to their fans. While Tio Moreno’s post highlighted a traditional expectation of celebrity openness, BINI’s fans rallied to defend their idols’ right to personal privacy and security measures. The humorous responses from netizens further illustrate the diverse reactions to such controversies in the digital age.
As the debate continues, it remains evident that the relationship between public figures and their privacy is a nuanced and evolving discourse, reflective of broader societal changes in the era of social media.
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