Parokya Ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda responded to some online users questioning fundraising activities for their guitarist Gab Chee Kee.
Note that Gab is currently undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with Lymphoma.
In fact, many OPM artists have already extended help, mounting different gigs.
Recently, on Facebook, Chito shared an update about their fundraising.
He said: "Nabenta namin yung school polo na sinuot ko sa music video ng Bagsakan for P150k (I love you hand sign and loudly crying face emojis) (tapos nahanap ko yung slacks at yung cap so sinama ko na)."
"Tapos nabenta naman namin yung puppets na ginamit namin sa album cover ng Halina sa Parokya for P85k (si Mr.Suave at Chito Matsing)," he added.
Then he went on to thank those who joined the effort.
"Sobrang laking tulong po nito for Gab!!! Sana mahanap namin yung polo ni Sir Kiko. #WalangIwananSaParokyaBand (heart emoji)," he ended.
However, a naysayer bashed the musician's gesture, relating: "Kunwari tutulong ka tapos kailangan pang ebenta mga bagay na di naman mapapakinabangan pa. Tulong ba tawag dyan?"
Chito replied rather sarcastically: "ay hindi po ba tulong yung ginawa namin? Sorry po...akala ko po nakakatulong kami sa mga ginagawa namin."
Turning serious, he added: "kabanda po namin at bestfriend ko po...may cancer po kasi sya and so far nasa 8M na yung bill nila...so lahat po ginagawa namin para makatulong. Nakapag bayad na kami ng 7M kahapon so kelangan pa po namin ng 1M...so lahat po ginagawa namin."
"Sorry po kung di mo nagugustuhan yung paraan ng pagtulong namin."
Meanwhile, another netizen interjected, commenting: "sayang naman 8M sana iwan nalang sa pamilya... sorry just my opinion kung ako nasa kalagayan nya tatanggihan ko na yung tulong nila ibigay nalang sa mas nangangailangan. I know you want to save life pero let it be sabi nga ng Beatles."
But Chito took offense.
He said: "ang sama kasi nung dating na "sayang naman yung 8M" as if hindi worth yung buhay ng kabanda namin...kung sa kalagayan mo ihahambing, dun ka sa page mo mag-post or sa sarili mo nalang kasi it may come as offensive or insensitive sa iba, lalo na sa amin."
"Wag ka manghihinayang sa pera na pinaghirapan ng lahat ng tumulong kay Gab...hindi po sya "sayang,"" he reiterated. "Ang sama ng dating eh...kung sa para buhay mo, "sayang", para sa kabanda at kaibigan namin, "all worth it.""
Last week, Parokya Ni Edgar shared an update about Gab.
It read: "Hi all, we just came from visiting Gab this Valentine’s Day. He’s still at the ICU but steadily improving. Please keep sending positive vibes to him and praying for his full recovery. He says THANK YOU to all of you—friends, family, fans and even strangers who’ve extended help in whatever way or form."
Then, today, Feb. 22, they revealed that "finally" Gab is out of the ICU.
"Thank you Lord! Though still far from 100%, he has already transferred to a progressive room to continue his recovery from the pneumonia and the complications brought after," the group shared.
"Pwede na rin siya humawak ng cellphone at nababasa niya ang mga comments, kaya wag kayo magulat kung biglang mag-reply siya sa inyo! Since nababasa niya to, positive comments please para pang tulong sa recovery! Bawal mga negastar!," they pleaded.
"Hindi pa siya makakalabas ng hospital anytime soon, pero eto siya, nagpapraktis na mag gitara para makapag-gig ulit siya para sa inyo!
"Maraming-maraming salamat ulit sa mga tumulong, nagdasal, at namahagi ng good vibes para sa recovery ni Gab! Once he has completely recovered from the pneumonia and complications, he can continue with the treatment for his lymphoma. Slowly but surely, gagaling si Gab! God is Good!"