Some Catholic faithful were unhappy with how internet sensation Deo Balbuena, a.k.a. Diwata, was designated as a ‘Reyna Elena’ for a parade held this week in Malabon.
It can be recalled that Diwata went viral on social media after she joined the Santacruzan parade as Reyna Elena, which has traditionally been designated to a woman.
Several netizens couldn’t hide their dismay at the parade organizers’ decision, saying that they disrespected the tradition of Santacruzan.
“Mayor ng Malabon bakit yun naman pinayagan kaya Reyna dapat babae ano ba naman kayo, ginusto nyo sumikat at pag usapan lugar nyo yan trending na sumunod to kay Pura Luka Vega sa pag gawa ng kabalbalan,” netizen Rainier said.
“Binaboy na talaga yun tradisyonal na sta cruzan.wala na tayong respeto sa atin kaya di natin tayo nrrespeto,” netizen Mund commented.
“Talagang ang mga tao ngayon, wala ng respeto sa mga sinaunang mga kaugalian. isipin mo naman, santacruzan, yun na lang salitang santa, ika nga prusisyon ng mga santa, hahaluan mo ng katawatawa,” netizen Odie remarked.
The organizers have yet to respond to the criticism they received from the netizens.
Netizens were also waiting for the response from the Catholic Church if the decision made by the organizers was allowed in the Santacruzan tradition.