After gaining criticism online for her remark on Metro Manila traffic, Marian Rivera has taken to social media to apologize.
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“Kung may lakad ka, eh ‘di pumunta ka ahead of time para ‘di ka ma-trapik [If you have somewhere to go, then go there ahead of time to avoid traffic],” she was quoted as saying in a recent interview with PhilStar. She had also advised commuters to use their idle time on the road doing something productive.
On Instagram today, October 14, Marian clarified her published statement.
“Lahat tayo ay biktima ng trapik, at kani-kaniyang paraan lang kung paano tayo mag-cope sa sitwasyon [We are all victims of traffic and we all have our own ways of coping with the situation],” she began in her post.
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She then said that her answer was taken out of context because the question asked of her was what she personally does to deal with the everyday traffic.
“Ang tanong po kasi during the interview —kung panonoorin at pakikinggan niyo ang buong clip— ay naka-tuon sa aking pamamaraan kung paano ko personal na itinatahak ang problemang ito ng ating lipunan, kaya’t sinagot ko naman iyon ayon sa kung ano ang totoo sa akin— at sa akin lamang. [What was asked of me during the interview, if you watch and listen to the whole clip, is centered on how I personally deal with this national problem, which is why I answered based on my honest truth and only mine.] I just wanted to give a light take on my personal experience, but was misinterpreted,” she said.
“Hindi ko po nilalahat at lalu nang ginawang pangaral sa publiko ang aking pahayag [I’m not trying to generalize and advise the public on what to do in my statement],” she added.
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(ALSO READ: Marian Rivera Donates Excess Bags of Milk to Help Babies in Hospitals)
Although she stands by her comment, Marian still apologized to the public and promised to be more careful with the words she says and to whom she says them.
“Pinaninindigan ko po ang aking sagot and I take full responsibility, pero humihingi rin ako ng paumanhin sa mga nasaktan, nainis, napikon at kahit sa mga mema lang— hindi ko po nais na gawin ito sa inyo. Sa susunod, magiging mas maingat ako sa aking mga sinasabi, at sana ganoon din ang mga pahayagan na tinitingala ng nakararami,” she shared.
[“I stand by my answer and I take full responsibility, but I ask pardon from those who were hurt, annoyed, angry, and just want something to say. It wasn’t my intention to do this to all of you. Next time, I will be much more careful with what I say, as well as the well-respected local newspapers.”]
She ended her Instagram post acknowledging the hardship that commuting Filipinos are currently going through.
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“Kinikilala ko po ang hirap na pinagdaraanan ng mga Pilipino sa kalbaryong ibinibigay sa ating lahat ng trapik. Ang bawat minuto na nasasayang sa kalsada ay dapat na sana’y nagagamit natin para makapiling ang ating mga mahal sa buhay— wala pong may gusto nito. Peace everyone,” she said.
[“I acknowledge the struggle that every Filipino is going through with this burden of traffic. Every minute of our lives is wasted on the road that we could have spent with our loved ones. No one wants this. Peace everyone.”]
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