Rendon Labador (Facebook)

Rendon Labador, the motivational speaker renowned for his straight-to-the-point style, has recently emailed me addressing what I wrote in my column that he has experienced a backlash following his unremarkable comments against popular comedian Michael V.

Last May 12, Rendon released a video calling out the respected veteran comedian: “ Yo! Rendon Labador here, gusto ko lang magsalita tungkol kay Michael V aka Bitoy, at sa lahat ng mga artistang laos. Influencers are the new celebrities!…wala kayong magagawa kundi sumunod sa amin ngayon, era namin ito. Ano yung sinasabi mong alamin muna naming ang content bago kami mag content. Wala kang pakialam doon hindi mo ba alam negosyo naming yan?…Kung hindi ninyo kayang makipag-matalinuhan sa mga influencers sa pag produce ng content...Manahimik na lang kayo. Mainstream is dead!!! Social media is the new mainstream." (Yo! Rendon Labador here, I just want to call out Michael V aka Bitoy, and to all has-been artists. Influencers are the new celebrities!…You have no choice but to follow us. It is our era. What are you saying that we should understand the meaning of content before doing content. Mind your own business. Don’t you know that this is our business. If you cannot ride with the wit of us influencers in producing content, just shut up. Mainstream is dead!!! Social media is the new mainstream.”)

While maintaining his unique approach, Rendon has taken the opportunity to offer sincere apologies to those who may have been hurt by his manner of speaking.

In my last column, I advised Rendon that instead of bashing mainstream artists, why not support them and end this strife once and for all? There is just too much negativity going around. Because Labrador has the right to fair comment, I will print his statement that he has emailed me and he emphasizes that his intention has always been to motivate individuals to stand up, think critically, overcome resistance, and ultimately achieve success.

Acknowledging that his straightforward style may not always sit well with everyone, Rendon expressed his regret for any harm caused. "I would like to extend my deepest apologies to Michael V., Coco Martin, and anyone else who may have been affected by my opinions. It was never my intention to disrespect or hurt anyone personally. However, I cannot promise that no one will be hurt again due to my direct approach. I firmly believe that by targeting the core issues that challenge people, I can motivate them to break free from limitations and strive for greatness. I understand the potential for disagreement but I remain committed to my purpose of inspiring individuals to think more clearly and take action. I am driven by a genuine desire to empower and uplift others, and this mission remains at the heart of my work. Recent events have shed light on for me to visit the office of prominent businessman and media personality Ben Tulfo, with whom I have previously clashed with. The  meeting resulted in a reconciliation between me and Sir Ben. We both found common ground in our strong personalities and shared family upbringing. We are both successful businessmen in our own right, thus to motivate more people we are considering a collaboration that aims to create more job opportunities and inspire a greater number of individuals. When I met Ben in his office, we had a genuine conversation where we understood each other better. We both realized that our intentions were ultimately aligned. Our forthcoming collaboration has the potential to make a significant impact on people's lives, encouraging them to reach their full potential."

As Rendon moves forward, he remains committed to his vision of motivating and empowering individuals from all walks of life. While he continues to speak his mind unabashedly, he is determined to be mindful of the potential consequences his words may have on others.