The Guy Who Uploaded That Viral Lea Salonga Video Says He Won't Apologize

Christopher Carpila says he will never apologize for uploading the video of his encounter with Broadway star Lea Salonga at the Broadway musical Here Lies Love in New York. The video, which has gone viral, shows Caprila and his companions entering Lea Salonga's dressing room backstage. Salonga directed them to exit her dressing room and return to the guest visitation area.

In Christopher’s video interview yesterday, July 18, 2023, at Julius and Tintin, Julius Babao and Christine Bersola’s program at One PH, he firmly stated that there was no ill intention when he uploaded the video.

He said, “Hindi ko alam kong kailangan kong gawin yun or what, pero pasensiya na, pero siguro hindi. (I don’t know if I need to do that or what, but I’m sorry, I don’t think so)”

“Alam ko wala akong ginawang masama. Alam ko yung pagka-post ko, hindi ko intensiyon na manira or ipakita sa buong mundo na yun siya. (I know I didn’t do anything wrong. With my post, I didn’t intend to discredit her or show the world who she is)”

"Katulad nung sinabi ko, tao lang, tao lang na hindi nakapag-isip nung kinlick. Wala naman po akong sinabing masama. (As I said, I’m just human. Just a person who didn’t think when he clicked. I didn’t even say anything bad.)”

Christopher also recalled how they ended up in Lea’s dressing room at the Broadway Theatre, where Here Lies Love is being shown.

He said their camera was on because they wanted to capture the “small chance that we will see Miss Lea. Because the people I was with were really big fans of her.”

There were four of them in the group. He said he didn’t expect that that would be Lea’s reaction upon meeting her.

He added, “Hindi namin ini-expect na parang that little time sana ay mapagbigyan, tutal andun naman na po kami. (We didn’t expect that our request would be rejected, especially since we were already there.)”

“But of course, nirerespeto po natin si Miss Lea. Baka that time ay pagod po siya or whatever. (But of course, we respected Miss Lea. Maybe she was tired or whatever at that time.)”

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In the end, Christopher’s group was still able to take a picture with Lea. In the caption of Christopher’s viral post, he mentioned that he wasn’t really a fan of Lea unlike his companions He insists his idol is really Sharon Cuneta.

In his post, he wrote, “Nalungkot lang ako para sa mga kasama ko na mga fans niya talaga. (I got disappointed for the other people in my group who were really fans of hers.)”

“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, next time na may concert si ate Shawie isasama ko kayo. (I told them, next time Ate Shawie has a concert, I will take you guys.)”

“At makikita niyo kayo pa ang tatawagin nun para yakapin, halikan at siya pa hahawak ng phone niyo para makapagpicture. (And you will see, she would even be the one to call you for a hug or a kiss, and she will personally hold your phone for a picture.)”

Lea Salonga on Having Boundaries  

Meanwhile, in her multiple tweets on July 18, Lea reiterated that as an artist, she has boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed: “Just a reminder… I have boundaries. Do not cross them. Thank you."

She also added, “Okay, real-life demonstration: none of the actors in Here Lies Love have been to my dressing room. Not Arielle, Jose, Conrad, Melody, or anyone else. These are already friends and co-workers, and yet they respect my boundaries! So who is anyone else to want to invade my space? Make it make sense!"

Lea also issued a statement regarding the mention of producer G Tongi’s name by one person from Christopher’s group.

Lea said, “Sooooooo here’s the kicker… the person whose name they were naming as their producer friend has no idea who they are. I asked her, and she’s seen the video (all our producers have, as well as company management, house management and security). She had no idea who they were. I was giving the benefit of the doubt until the moment I heard back from her."

(During Christopher’s interview with Julius and Tintin, he mentioned that what his company meant to say was that they are friends with a co-producer of the show, who is friends with the American-based actress, G.)

In the end, Lea thanked those who sent her messages about the issue, saying: “Just know that this has reached the highest echelons of our producing team and has already been addressed with all relevant departments. There are now more stringent security regulations in place, and I for one will no longer be entertaining near those innermost spaces to ensure that security will have eyes on me at all times.

"It’s unfortunate that this had to happen at all. There has been so much support from online communities everywhere and for that I’m thankful!

"Folks need to be reminded that although we are public figures we need our private spaces, and will be guarding those sacred places with fervor.”

From: PEP.ph