Xyriel shows how to reject toxic comments, shares message of body positivity

Xyriel Manabat is known for her ‘palaban’ persona as Tonet in the trending Kapamilya series Dirty Linen. While she’s neither a Fiero nor a Pavia in real life, she still carries the same fierce attitude that Tonet has. In her words, “Ayaw kong nagpapatalo kapag ako ‘yung nasa tama.”

Therefore, she does not tolerate toxicity on social media, especially when directed to one’s physical appearance. In this video, Xyriel reacts to common body-shaming comments and educates viewers on why such remarks are unnecessary.

One of the comments read: “Sobrang laki naman ng boobs pabawasan mo ‘yan! Baka bastusin ka!” Xyriel has seen such statements on her social media pages. Her reaction? “Baka pwedeng huwag n’yo na po akong manduhan sa katawan ko? Hindi po body type ang mag-a-adjust kundi ‘yung utak natin.”

She admitted to clashing with several bashers online after bravely standing up against them. While she seems unbothered about it, she acknowledged that not everyone is as thick-skinned as her, “Minsan ‘yung kino-comment-an natin ng ganito, hindi po kasintibay o kasinlakas ng loob ko para lagpasan.” Even she was pushed over the edge when people started sexualizing her at 16.

Last 2020, she posted a photo of her donning a white shirt with a tank top underneath paired with shorts which netizens left lewd comments on and edited. She couldn’t understand the disrespect, knowing her clothes weren’t revealing.

“Hindi ko po nakikita kung bakit nila jina-justify na kabastos-bastos… Hindi na lang po i-correct na kahit kailan hindi magiging tama ang pag-o-objectify ng tao, babae man o lalaki, minor man o hindi.”

The incident affected her mental health. “Sobrang na-alter niya ‘yung utak ko because medyo marami-rami po akong napagdaanan noon at marami rin po akong binangga na alam kong kailangan kong i-educate, especially ‘yung mga close-minded people.” She eventually overcame this by means of therapy and taking legal action.

Another comment reads: “Buti na lang nagka-abs ka na! Ang taba mo dati, eh!” First of all, can’t we just be happy for another’s happiness and achievement? As Xyriel puts it: “Wow! Sa dami niyang pwedeng mapansin, ‘yung taba pa talaga. Hindi ba pwedeng ma-appreciate na lang natin na ang grabe nu’ng hard work niya para ma-achieve niya ‘yung gano’ng body kasi mahirap po magka-abs. Kahit anong diet o workout, kung hindi po consistent, hindi po magkaka-abs.” Be careful with your words, always.

The next comment says: “Nagpapapansin ka lang sa social media?” Well, Xyriel thinks social media is really meant for attracting attention, “Gusto ko lang mag-public expression… Hindi ko po ‘yan ipo-post kung hindi kapansin-pansin.”

To cap it off, she imparted a positive message about loving one’s body, flaws and all, and not just the parts that you get compliments for. “Paano naman ‘yung features na tayo lang ang meron na hindi natin na-a-appreciate o binibigyang-pansin. So kung mamahalin natin ang katawan natin, buo. Huwag ‘yung, ‘Ito lang, kasi hindi ko tanggap ‘to.’ I-embrace natin kasi hindi ‘yun flaws, hindi ‘yun loss. Ikaw lang ang meron niyan.”

“You have so much more with your body. Embrace it. Flaunt it. Love it,” Xyriel related.