Dannyka Manangan

Arron Villaflor apologizes for viral ‘Pray for Cebu’ photo: ‘It was a lapse from my social media team’

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Actor-turned-politician Arron Villaflor expressed his remorse after facing backlash for his now-deleted viral Pray for Cebu photo. In a brief interview with news channel TV5 earlier this week, he shared it was a “lapse” from his social media team. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-27" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPD_h-0jzmt/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A27%2C%22os%22%3A30291190.099999998%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="838" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-27" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Arron’s photo circulated on social media following the strong earthquake that shook the province of Cebu earlier this month. He drew backlash from netizens after he uploaded it as some deemed it unnecessary for his face to be in the publicity material. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/6/1/arron-villaflor-honored-to-work-again-with-jerrold-tarrog-in-upcoming-quezon-biopic-1335"><strong>READ:Arron Villaflor honored to work again with Jerrold Tarrog in upcoming ‘Quezon’ biopic</strong></a></div><div> </div><p>The actor shared that it was his social media team who uploaded it to his official accounts. </p><p>“Gusto kong humingi ng pasensya. I just want to apologize–– it was a lapse from my social media team. I told them na wala andito na tayo [and] let’s just learn from our mistakes,” he shared.</p><p>He added how surprised he was when his photo became viral on social media as he wasn’t expecting it at all.</p><p>“Tuwang tuwa nga ako dahil kumalat siya ng maigi. Ganun pa pala akong ka relevant sa mundong ito,” he quipped.</p><p>Not making light of the situation in Cebu, Arron maintained that his thoughts are still with the Cebuanos and is truly sorry for his team’s actions that may have caused more harm than good. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2023/2/5/arron-villaflor-recalls-how-he-started-in-showbiz-pays-tribute-to-abs-cbn-1302"><strong>READ: Arron Villaflor recalls how he started in showbiz, pays tribute to ABS-CBN</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“For me naman kasi, I was a public servant of Tarlac. Ito lang naman yan, the intention was there but the photo didn’t land well or fit in that prayer or post. So sa lahat po ng kababayan natin dito sa Pilipinas, ako po ay humihingi ng tawad mula sa aking social media team at hindi natin masisisi yung mga tao ngayon,” he explained.</p><p>The actor acknowledged that as a public servant, he will be criticized for his actions–– no matter how big or small it may be.</p><p>“Everyone has the right to say their opinions, everyone has the right to say their arguments, or like bad things they want to say regarding our government. But in my case, thank you and for giving me this chance to apologize,” he ended. </p>

<p>Arron Villaflor shares that it was his social media team who uploaded the photo that became viral. </p>

Arron Villaflor shares that it was his social media team who uploaded the photo that became viral.