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What we need to know about online hate: Insights from Bianca Gonzalez and Jodi Sta. Maria

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Carmellie Ocampo

In a candid and heartfelt discussion on &quot;Paano Ba To?&quot; with Bianca Gonzalez, Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria opened up about her experiences with online hate and cyberbullying. Bianca kicked things off by asking Jodi if she’s the type to dwell on hateful comments. Jodi, known for her calm and collected demeanor, shared that she doesn&#x27;t usually respond, especially when the criticism isn’t true.Bianca admitted how challenging it can be to brush off negative comments. She acknowledged Jodi’s maturity in choosing not to notice the negativity. Jodi shared that sometimes, reading hurtful comments can make you question yourself: “Kasi Bianca, it will make you question also, ‘Ganito nga ba talaga ako? Am I who they say I am?’” Jodi is fortunate to have a strong support system, especially her mom, who has always been her number one fan. Her mother’s unwavering support goes as far as buying everything written about Jodi, cutting out published articles, and pasting them in a photo album—a tangible reminder of how loved and supported she is, even when the world seems harsh.<div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" referrerPolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2osdKgFMTC4" title="What We Need To Know About Online Hate featuring @JodiStaMariaPH" width="1250"></iframe></div>The “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/lavenderfields" target="_blank">Lavender Fields</a>” lead star also spoke about the importance of self-awareness and taking moments to pause, especially when she’s at her most vulnerable. She practices grounding herself in who she really is, instead of letting others’ opinions define her. Bianca echoed this sentiment, sharing her own experience of learning to embrace her skin color after years of negative comments.The two agreed that online hate has evolved significantly over time, with comments now coming in unfiltered and often without context. Jodi expressed her acceptance of this reality, saying, “Kung hindi mo ako gusto, okay, hindi ko ipipilit subukin mo akong gustuhin.” Bianca related to Jodi’s approach, confessing that she once tried to respond to negative comments but soon realized it wasn’t worth it. The urge to engage often leads nowhere, as the comments don’t usually reflect any real emotional connection—just text on a screen.Jodi’s background as a psychology student gives her a deeper understanding of the motives behind online bullying. She explained that cyberbullying often stems from a desire for control, and bullies seek attention by targeting others. They bully other people because they want attention.Jodi emphasized the importance of focusing on what we can control—our own emotions and actions. She teaches her son, Thirdy, who sometimes gets upset by negative comments, that social media is a dangerous place to seek validation and affirmation. It’s crucial to know that validation comes from within yourself.As a parent, Jodi understands that while we can’t change others’ mindsets, we can influence our closest family members, especially our children. Bianca wrapped up the conversation by urging everyone to think before posting comments online. Before commenting about others online, make sure you can say it to their face. If not, say it in the nicest way possible.Jodi’s final reminder was a powerful: be mindful of what you say. As parents, we have a duty to teach our children through our actions to be careful with their words, both online and offline. It’s a call to be more conscious of our impact and to foster a more positive and respectful online environment.

Jodi Sta. Maria shares to Bianca Gonzalez her experiences with online hate, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and support systems in navigating negativity on social media.