Entertainment

Albay gov rejects Xian Lim's apology over T-shirt incident

Joyce Jimenez - The Philippine Star

February 20, 2015 | 10:38am

MANILA, Philippines - Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda didn't accept Xian Lim's apology regarding the “misunderstanding” that happened during an event in his municipality.

“No forgiveness deserved,” said the governor on his Facebook post around 10 in the morning today, February 20, in a response to the Kapamilya actor's statement.

“Based on the prevarications on his posts, he is not getting it. 1. Hindi namin pinapasuot ang Tshirt sa guests. Binibigay lang 2. The mere fact that coffee book table is called Warm Albay and the tshirt is Warm Albay should already be obvious that these are typical touristic materials,” he added.

Salceda also emphasized that “ordinary staff ng PTCAO ang ininsulto at hiniya ni Xian Lim. Together with ordinary Albayanos, they are the ones who work hard, silently and patiently for Albay tourism.”

Salceda ended his post by saying, “the PTCAO incident morally approximates the cruelty and brutality in Maguindanao, and what's worse we did not pay the MILF P350,000 to do it and we expected something better from him since he is not a terrorist, instead an artist.”

Xian was in hot water now after the governor expressed his disappointment over the actor's attitude in an event in his municipality.

According to the governor's post in his Facebook account, a certain Atty. Carol reported to him that “Xian Lim says in my face while handing the coffee table book in front of many- “I'm not here to promote albay,”” before his “Fiesta Tsinoy Albay” event.

He even posted this morning a screen capture of his Facebook chat with Atty. Carol, saying that the said conversation “triggered” him to post his reaction “about 9pm right after the show.”

On his previous post, the governor said, “if his road manager checks his record, Albay paid for his many guestings since way back 2011 when his talent fee was just P75.000 (Ginoo ni Magayon) and now P350,000 for Fiesta Tsinoy Albay. Its either 1. His parents did not raise him well. 2. He had bad education. 3. He is not managed well. 4. His character is inversely proportional to his looks. 5. He is on something.”

'I love Albay'

Early this morning, Xian reacted on the different reports about the incident, denying that he said such words to Atty. Carol. On his Twitter account, the actor posted his statement where he recounted what happened on Thursday.

“Earlier, the author of the online article handed me a coffee table book of Albay and a tshirt to wear.. My exact words to her were “sorry po, hindi ko maisuot yung tshirt kasi baka magka conflict sa clothing endoresement ko. Pasensya na po,”” he said.

He also reacted to Salceda's statement saying, “my parents raised me to be respectful and generous to everyone, and my management has always stressed the virtues of decency and humility. I do not do drugs and have worked hard to get to where I am.”

Xian added that “if you send me the t shirt and after I have cleared with my clothing endorsement, I would be more than happy to wear it online and on air. I am also very willing to promote the book of Albay.”

In the end, the Kapamilya actor apologized to Salceda and the people of Albay for “the misunderstanding about my reasons for refusal to wear the t shirt.”