Mayor Disses Singer’s Cursing: We Will Not Tolerate It

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed disapproval over the use of profanity by Original Pilipino Music (OPM) singer Juan Karlos “JK” Labajo during a performance at an event held alongside the Dinagyang Festival.

Treñas, on Monday, January 27, stated that the city government would not tolerate such behavior.

“I already received a report […] and we will do something about it. We will not tolerate it,” he said.

A viral video showed Labajo performing at a Pepsi event in the Festive Walk Parade, where he altered the lyrics of his 2023 hit song Ere to include an expletive phrase in Hiligaynon.

The original line, “Oh, ‘di ba? Nakakaptngna,”* was changed to “Oh, ‘di ba? Nakakayudpta,” a commonly used but vulgar expression in casual conversations in Iloilo.

The video also captured the audience cheering and encouraging Labajo to repeat the phrase.

Councilor Alan Zaldivar plans to address the issue in the City Council through a privilege speech during the next session, noting that the language used contradicts the cultural and religious values upheld during the Dinagyang Festival.

Zaldivar urged the city government and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) to convene with event organizers to establish clear guidelines and protocols for future performances.

As of now, Juan Karlos Labajo and his management have not released a formal statement regarding the incident.

In a related matter, Treñas ordered the removal of a food stall at the Dinagyang Food Festival for its controversial name, “YUDPT NAMIT.”*

The stall, which displayed the IFFI logo, drew backlash from netizens for being inappropriate during a religious and cultural celebration.

The stall’s name was found to violate City Ordinance No. 330, series of 1992, which prohibits the printing, distribution, or exhibition of obscene or vulgar materials.

Treñas emphasized the city government’s commitment to preserving the cultural and religious integrity of the Dinagyang Festival.