Albay Governor Joey Salceda accepts Xian Lim's apology
Albay Governor Joey Salceda finally accepted the apology of Xian Lim after the politician accused the actor of refusing to promote the province by rejecting souvenir items, including a shirt and coffee table book in an event on Thursday, February 19.
“Ang mga Bikolano kabait-bait talaga niyan. Gagawin talaga nila lahat para komportable ka at mafeel mo na welcome ka sa amin. So noong hinawi niya, parang hindi naman yata tama iyon,” Salceda told “The Buzz” on Sunday, February 22.
What irked Salceda even more was a report quoting Xian as saying, “I am not here to promote Albay.”
Xian’s denial
Xian denied issuing the statement.
“Hinding hindi ko po masasabi yung kini-claim nila na ‘I am not here to promote Albay.’ Alam ko naman na it’s very offensive. Ang tatay ko taga-Bicol. Ang lola ko taga-Bicol. Madaming beses na akong bumabalik-balik sa Albay, sa Bicol. Lagi akong may show diyan at wala naman akong nagiging problema,” Xian said in a separate interview on “The Buzz.”
The actor earlier apologized on Twitter and said he refused to wear the shirt because it might conflict with his clothing endorsement. However, Salceda's chief of staff Atty. Carol Cruz said they gave Xian the shirt as a souvenir and as a way of welcoming a guest.
The Kapamilya star said he didn’t mean to offend anyone in Albay.
‘Stay humble’
He defended his parents from accuations that they failed to raise him well by insisting that they always advised him "to stay humble.”
“Hindi po ako pumunta sa Albay para mambastos. Nalulungkot ako kasi wala naman akong magagawa para ikagalit ng governor, alam kong wala akong ginawa para ikagalit ng Albay.”
Lenten spirit
He again apologized to Salceda and the people of Albay.
“Kung ano man yung narinig niyo sa akin, hindi po iyon totoo. Humihingi po ako ng patawad kung ano man yung ikinagagalit ninyo. Nagsasabi ako ng totoo.”
Salceda accepted the apology and said the actor should help Albay tourism.
“In the spirit of Lent and this is the season of kwaresma and in behalf of the people of Albay, I will accept his apology. It’s the necessary first step of repentance and after repentance is penance. Bilang penance niya, dahil nasaktan ang Albay tourism, dapat Albay tourism din ang tulungan niya.”
