GMA executive Annette Gozon-Valdes strongly defends Shuvee Etrata amid political backlash

• GMA Senior Vice President Annette Gozon-Valdes publicly defended Shuvee Etrata after old videos of the actress expressing political views resurfaced

• Gozon-Valdes clarified that Etrata is not a "die hard" political supporter and her controversial comments stemmed from "personal observation" in her neighborhood

• Sparkle First Vice President Joy Marcelo confirmed that Etrata’s brand endorsements remain strong, citing "no major fallout" and continued brand support

• Etrata's current absence from It's Showtime is due to heavy workload, including a new soap opera and movie shoots, not political backlash

GMA Network’s senior management has officially stepped forward to staunchly defend rising star Shuvee Etrata following a recent wave of online criticism stemming from the resurfacing of the actress’s old political videos.

The controversy centered on a clip where Shuvee expressed praise for the perceived positive effects of the previous administration’s anti-drug efforts within her local community.

In a powerful demonstration of support, Annette Gozon-Valdes, GMA Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group, released a statement defending Etrata against what she described as "wrongful and unfair attacks."

Gozon-Valdes emphasized a crucial point of context, asserting that the Kapuso artist is "not ‘die hard’ for any politician."

The executive clarified that Shuvee's past comments were not born of political fanaticism but were rather her "personal observation and opinions" on government actions.

She specifically pointed out that if Shuvee noticed a reduction in drug-related issues within her neighborhood, that perspective deserves respect.

To highlight the actress’s balanced stance, Gozon-Valdes drew a parallel to Shuvee’s opposition to the shutdown of ABS-CBN, stressing that she holds nuanced views on various national issues.

"She has had very, very few (and short) posts that had political color in the past," Gozon-Valdes wrote. "If she personally observed that the negative effects of drug5 were mitigated IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD, let’s respect that — just as we should respect her stand against the shutdown of ABS-CBN."

Furthermore, the talent management division, GMA Sparkle Artist Center, provided a definitive update on the state of Shuvee’s career following the social media storm.

Joy Marcelo, First Vice President for Sparkle, confirmed in a statement that the controversy has not resulted in any material damage to the artist's professional commitments.

"To clarify, Shuvee continues to receive support from her partner brands," Marcelo explained, dispelling rumors of mass cancellations.

"While a few did ask about the situation, they were very understanding once we explained the context behind it. There has been no major fallout when it comes to her endorsements. As a matter of fact, there are still brand launches happening in the next few weeks."

Sparkle also provided clarity regarding Shuvee’s high-profile guest hosting appearances on the rival noontime program, It’s Showtime.

Her temporary absence is not due to any disciplinary action or fallout from the political issue, but is purely a matter of scheduling.

Marcelo noted that the fast-rising star is currently preoccupied with "prior commitments," including upcoming tapings for a new soap opera and shoots for a film and multiple endorsements.

She is expected to resume her hosting duties on It's Showtime as soon as her busy schedule permits.

Ultimately, Gozon-Valdes used the incident as a rallying cry against online divisiveness and the culture of cancellation.

She urged the public to pivot their energy toward more constructive national goals. "Please, let’s respect each other’s opinions... Let’s join forces to cancel corruption, not people who work hard for their family," she concluded, firmly placing the network’s corporate weight behind the young artist and advocating for civility in public discourse.

Shuvee Etrata gained significant recognition as one of the housemates in the latest edition of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB). Known for her "Island Ate ng Cebu" charm, she quickly became a fan favorite due to her wit, authenticity, and entertaining presence. Although she wasn't the grand winner, she is arguably one of the most popular personalities from her season. She is currently continuing her showbiz journey through guest appearances, hosting stints, and a strong viral presence on social media.

Recently, Shuvee released a statement regarding an old post about politics and directly admitted that it caused hurt and disappointment, leading her to issue an apology. The actress explained that she avoids discussing politics because it is too divisive, but clarified that the more important focus now is love for the country and standing up against corruption. Shuvee promised to broaden her perspective and continue to learn and grow for the betterment of everyone, while emphasizing her love for the Philippines, especially during the current times. According to Shuvee, she will always stand up for the welfare of the Filipino people and will continue to show her support and love for her fans and the nation.

Previously, Shuvee revealed she is set to build her dream house for her family in Polomolok by 2026. She proudly shared she already bought an 800-sqm lot where her siblings study. The actress wants each sibling to finally have their own room, a first for them. Shuvee said her projects and endorsements after PBB are helping fulfill this dream.

Source: KAMI.com.gh