More and more stars are voicing their support for Awra Briguela, who was detained by police following his involvement in a melee.
On Facebook, actor-singer Jerald Napoles used the hashtag: "#WeStandWithAwra."
He attested how genuine Awra is as a person.
"Bilang kuya, kailangan kong magbigay ng opinyon para sa batang ito. Nakasama ko si Awra ng mahigit isang buwan sa trabaho, first-time to work with her, lock in shoot, iisang tirahan. Wala akong kapatid pero sa mga panahon na yun para akong may nakakabatang kapatid sa set ng shoot," he started.
"Siya mismo ang nagpasimula ng connection sa aming lahat. Sa una inobersbahan ko kung ano ang sensibilidad ng batang ito.. lagi kong ginagawa yun para na rin mag adjust at kumunekta sa mga kasama sa trabaho. After awhile ako mismo nagsabi sa kanya “Alam mo, hindi ko inexpect na maganda at maayos kang katrabaho at higit sa lahat napaka sweet mong bata, KEEP THAT ATTITUDE AND MENTALITY AT MARAMING MAGMAMAHAL SAYO” true enough. Sa nangyari ngayon maraming mas nakaka kilala kay Awra ang nagpakita ng suporta."
Jerald declared: "Ako bilang isang anak, boyfriend at kaibigan.. handa akong protektahan ang mga mga babae na malapit sa akin. Sa abroad mismo may nag tatangka mang - harass kay Kim at alam niya na handa ako sa gulo. Pero siya mismo umaawat sa akin pa rin maiwasan ang gulo hangga’t maari dahil sa PANANAW NG MADLA NA ARTISTA KAME, KAILANGAN PERPEKTO KAME. Maari kameng baliktarin at hindi kame dapat pumapatol. Pero tao lang kame, at pag inargabyado nyo ang malapit sa amin, kahit wag na kame… handa kameng harapin ang pagkakataon."
He reiterated: "Kung ako ang nasa sitwasyon ni Awra at inargabyado, binastos, at winalang respeto ang kasama kong babae ng isang lalakeng lasing.. ganito rin ang mangyayari, baka higit pa."
"See you soon kapatid/behbeh gurl mananaig ang katotohanan. Alam kong hindi ka gumagawa nang gulo at alam kong handa ka ipagtanggol ang mga mahal mo."
Meanwhile, Jerald's girlfriend and co-thespian Kim Molina also echoed the same, using the same hashtag along with "#JusticeForAwra."
On her social media account, she borrowed the line of Gloc 9's "Sirena:" "Minsan, mas lalaki pa sa lalaki ang bakla."
Sexy star Barbie Imperial also did the same.
TV personality Chie Filomeno tweeted: "The world we live in :( #JusticeForAwra PLEASE!!!!"
Vlogger Niana Guerrero simply posted: "#JusticeForAwra !!!!"
TV host Karen Bordador posted "FREE AWRA!!!!" on Twitter.
She related: "When things get sensationalized, the person gets persecuted. Just cause she’s famous doesn’t mean it should be an opportunity to take advantage of it. She was simply defending her friends. Many brawls happen and they never get arrested. Set her free!!!!!"
According to her, it's good that Awra's friends are speaking up.
"Walang iwanan dapat and it’s good they gave the public their story. Someone who’s locked up can never defend themselves from public judgement! Uniformed men should dismiss their case!!!!," she said.
Karen noted how it's so hard to be detained, seemingly relating to her experience of being imprisoned for five years for a crime she did not commit.
"Hopefully her case is bailable. How about yung nanghipo? Si Awra lang mapansin nila?!?!?," she said. "She will come out of this stronger. Injustice sheds lights to us that change must happen in this country. We cannot allow abuse of power by authorities."
She related that precinct jails are the "worst."
"No food, lots of rats and cockroaches. Plus super tiny! You’re all cramped up in a little cell with so many different personalities," she explained. "No idea how Awra’s jail is but I hope she’s safe! Hope her lawyers get her out fast! She doesn’t belong in a cell!"
In another post, she maintained what happens when someone gets brought to jail.
"1. You get brought to the precinct of the city you were “arrested” in 2. Booking: get your infos, thumbmarks etc (mine though took 4 days) 3. Medical examination: You get checked for injuries etc. (nobody looked at me) 4. Detention cell," she shared.
She continued: "On the Brightside I’m so HAPPY! My former right hand as I was a leader inside who’s been in prison unjustly for nearly 10 years will FINALLY be released! I got her a lawyer last year & he just told me now…FINALLY!!!! Imagine nearly 10 years in for something you didn’t do?!"
"Since my fam donates sa jail ng Makati Precinct constantly, we got to ask how Awra is. She was talking to her lawyer daw earlier. That’s all I know.Her cases should be bailable and hopefully be out soon. Best she comes out knowing she has many supporting her. #IStandWithAwra."
Meanwhile, Gabriela Partylist also expressed their two cents about the case.
"Makati PNP celebrated Pride Month by arresting a transwoman for defending her friends against sexual harassment," its post on Twitter read. "This is why we are pushing for SOGIESC Bill -- because persons of authority are the main perpetrators of violence against the LGBTQ+ community. #JusticeForAwra."
Metro Manila Pride stands with Awra.#JusticeForAwra #StandWithAwra #SOGIEEqualityNow pic.twitter.com/eHwVv6wJAU
— Metro Manila Pride 🏳️🌈 (@mmprideorg) June 30, 2023