Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson defended her use of the photo of Honduran soldiers kneeling down in prayer while asking for prayers for the Philippine Army as “symbolism.” She actually shared the original post by CinEmotion Digital Film.
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Rappler was among those who wrote an article about Uson’s usage of an inaccurate photo with its article, “FACT CHECK: PCOO’s Mocha Uson shares wrong photo of PH army.”
On Tuesday, May 30, addressed Rappler and said that her use of the Honduran soldiers’ photo was for “symbolism” purposes.
“Rappler minsan gumamit din ng common sense wag masyadong mag magaling. I did not say na Philippine Army yan. I did not say that picture was taken from Marawi. It’s a symbol of army praying,” Uson wrote on her Facebook page.
“Pag nag post ba ako ng picture ni Rizal na sumusulat at sabihin ko na tuloy ang laban para sa kalayaan ibig sabihin si Rizal ang lalaban??? Siyempre hindi dahil patay na si Rizal. Pag nagpost ba ako ng picture ni Bonifacio na may hawak na itak at may caption na tuloy ang rebolusyon ibig bang sabihin ay lalaban tayong naka itak???” she added.
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Uson also urged Rappler to use their common sense.
“Symbolismo tawag dyan. Pls naman gamit naman ng COMMON SENSE. Wag mema lang. JOURNALIST KAYO DIBA? Ang caption ko lang ay ipanalangin natin ang ating mga sundalo. Hindi ko sinabi sundalo natin yan. Hindi yan tulad ng Inquirer na gumamit ng picture at sinabing yun ay nangyayari sa Marawi,” she wrote.
“Common sense lang na hindi sa atin yan kasi may flag sila sa vest nila. Ba’t ko ipopost na sa Pilipinas yan e may flag nga ng ibang bansa. Common sense na it is a symbolism,” Uson said.
After her “symbolism” defense, #symbolism trended on Twitter in the morning of May 31.
@KenCallawood said he cringed when Uson used the alibi and tweeted several photos of what symbolism is all about.
@MochaUson used #Symbolism as an alibi for using the "praying Honduras military."
I cringe at such stupidity. pic.twitter.com/Abbwc6H4pn
— Ken Observer🇵🇭🇺🇸 (@KenCallawood) May 30, 2017
He further tweeted examples of what Uson might have meant when she said “symbolism.”
"Let us pray for our beloved President." – Mocha Uson, PCOO AsSec on #Symbolism pic.twitter.com/MSsVTJjyCm
— Ken Observer🇵🇭🇺🇸 (@KenCallawood) May 30, 2017
"#PresidentDuterte presents his Dutertenomics to the world." – Mocha Uson, PCOO AsSec on #Symbolism pic.twitter.com/Xp50Ke5680
— Ken Observer🇵🇭🇺🇸 (@KenCallawood) May 30, 2017
@PaRodyDu30 also tweeted his own interpretation of Uson’s symbolism.
Let us all pray for the safety and success of our dear leader.
– PCOO AsSec @MochaUson #symbolism or maybe not. pic.twitter.com/nDiW03I5jr
— PaPaRody Duterte (@PaRodyDu30) May 31, 2017
Palanca-winning essayist @shakirasison weighed in on the symbolism issue.
CALL FOR IMAGES: #Symbolism and #alternativeheadlines like the fantastic one below by @KingRenlyMD. Omg I'm dying 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/gIHlY8FNAK
— Shakira Sison (@shakirasison) May 30, 2017
Young lady posing with Filipino soldier shows the people's support of martial law. #symbolism https://t.co/F5kKDyRiok
— Shakira Sison (@shakirasison) May 30, 2017
Satirical website @SoWhatsNews went showbiz when tweeting about symbolism, using Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman photo to report about how Liza Soberano is the new Darna.
#PNAReport: Liza Soberano confirms she’s the new Darna #Symbolism pic.twitter.com/Ez9Z1hEG65
— So, What's News? (@SoWhatsNews) May 31, 2017
@LA-Malibago even made a reference to the Korean drama hit “Descendants of the Sun” by using actor Song Joong-ki’s photo.
Please pray for our soldiers.🙏 🤗 #symbolism #mochaUsonMaterial 🙂 pic.twitter.com/saEHbLHEQD
— L.A. Malibago (@LA_Malibago) May 31, 2017
And lego for Duterte administration’s Build Build Build program from @kalachuchai.
eto na po yung tulay na pinagawa ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, nagagamit na! Build, build, build!! #symbolism pic.twitter.com/zHgVMrIFt8
— this girl (@kalachuchai) May 31, 2017
Actress Marian Rivera-Dantes’ Twitter parody account said that if Uson’s all about symbolism, then she should simply be paid with play money then.
“Deer Mars Mocha. Nisajest ko na kay Tatay Digong na PLAY MONEY na lang ipasweldo sayo. Di man magagastos itey, it’s d symbolism dat counts!” said the parody account.
Deer Mars Mocha. Nisajest ko na kay Tatay Digong na PLAY MONEY na lang ipasweldo sayo. Di man magagastos itey, it's d symbolism dat counts!
— Marian Rivera-Dantes (@superstarmarian) May 31, 2017
Here are other tweets about #symbolism:
NBI leaked a photo of Nur Misuari rallying the people before Zamboanga Siege in 2013.#symbolism pic.twitter.com/3KlzYWkR7r
— #ForThePhilippines (@ignore_rants) May 31, 2017
The military sets camp while waiting for further orders in Marawi City.#symbolism pic.twitter.com/ct1AyUtHd9
— #ForThePhilippines (@ignore_rants) May 31, 2017
a brave female soldier fights with the Maute group #symbolism pic.twitter.com/n2YZY3Bw2w
— stranger (@jinjajeongmal) May 31, 2017
Current situation in Marawi City as soldiers continue to clash with IS-linked terrorist Maute group. #Symbolism pic.twitter.com/lYRcrfwaad
— #ForThePhilippines (@ignore_rants) May 31, 2017
Sa wakaaas, my grad photo!!! ❤ #symbolism pic.twitter.com/aSjKx4LofN
— K Br (@thebombastarr) May 31, 2017
Joel "Tesdaman Dilawan" Villanueva #symbolism pic.twitter.com/cbk3nPQbOU
— Editors of Manila (@edsMNL) May 31, 2017
i just realized while watching Goblet of Fire that Rita Skeeter is real and exists in our world with the pen name of "Mocha Uson"
— Gabriel Dimasin (@gabdimasin) May 31, 2017
Don't me. #MetangManananggal#symbolism #SymbolismPaMore #symbolismnimocha #MochangTanga #mocha #ChangeScamming #fakenews #mochafakenews pic.twitter.com/vYZ9VSIuiY
— Edgar Calabia Samar (@ecsamar) May 31, 2017
#symbolism https://t.co/lwNi5Rwr0I
— Kelcy Joy Cacap (@kelcyjc) May 31, 2017
Facebook users also joined the #symbolism fever.
Spot.ph compiled some more posts about #symbolism, too.
FAKE NEWS AGENCY: The latest reports from your most trusted news source https://t.co/zEh80S7jo6 pic.twitter.com/wLI3c59QQy
— Professional Heckler (@HecklerForever) May 30, 2017
GUYS HELP. I need to choose a new profile photo. I can't decide which one to use!
Yes I know it's not me but it's… symbolism. 😂😂🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/CSRIFpxjoT
— Patty Torres-Igot (@pateetsie) May 31, 2017
Sources: ( rappler.com , spot.ph )
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