Under Fire for Insensitivity, Actress Liza Soberano Claps Back Amid Tropical Depression Dante

MANILA — As Tropical Depression Dante continues to batter large parts of Luzon and the Visayas with torrential rain and widespread flooding, Filipino actress Liza Soberano has found herself at the center of a social media storm — but not for the reasons you might expect.

On Tuesday, July 22, while many communities across the Philippines were battling rising floodwaters and weather-related evacuations, Soberano posted a series of vacation photos on her personal Instagram account. The images, taken at a luxury resort in Palawan, showed the actress lounging under the sun, smiling peacefully by the poolside. The caption read: “Grateful for sunshine and peace.”

Almost immediately, the post triggered a wave of backlash from Filipino netizens, many of whom deemed the timing “insensitive” and “tone-deaf” amid the ongoing national disaster. Within hours, the hashtag #InsensitiveLiza trended across Philippine social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where users began questioning the social responsibility of public figures during times of crisis.

Online Outrage Amid a Real-World Crisis

Critics were quick to accuse the 26-year-old actress of being out of touch with the suffering of her fellow Filipinos. In comments and quote tweets, some users wrote:

“While people are losing their homes, this is what she’s posting?”
“A little empathy goes a long way. This is not the time.”

Others contrasted her post with images of evacuation centers, submerged homes, and residents wading through chest-deep floodwaters, calling on celebrities to show solidarity instead of “flaunting privilege.”

Liza Responds: “I Don’t Owe Social Media an Explanation”

Not one to stay silent, Soberano responded later that same day via Instagram Stories, where she posted a statement directly addressing the backlash:

“I don’t live to please social media. I have already donated quietly three days ago and I don’t feel the need to post about it just to prove anything.”

The actress went on to reveal that she had donated ₱1 million (approximately USD 18,000) to the Philippine Red Cross, with the aim of supporting relief efforts for communities impacted by Tropical Depression Dante. However, she emphasized that publicizing such acts of charity was never her intention.

“Helping should come from the heart, not for applause,” she added.

A Nation Divided: Applauded or Out of Touch?

Liza’s response only further polarized public opinion. While many applauded her for setting boundaries with the often-demanding world of social media, others argued that public figures — especially those with millions of followers — have a moral responsibility to set the tone and use their platforms for awareness.

One supporter commented:

“Let people help in their own way. Just because she didn’t post it doesn’t mean she didn’t care.”

Meanwhile, a critic countered:

“When you’re a public figure, silence is loud. If you can post vacation photos, you can post support for your country too.”

This isn’t the first time a celebrity has faced public scrutiny for their online activity during times of national crisis. In previous typhoons and calamities, stars such as Nadine Lustre and Angel Locsin have been both praised and criticized for either taking visible action or remaining silent. The discussion often touches on larger questions around celebrity responsibility, performative activism, and the role of influencers during national emergencies.

Tropical Depression Dante’s Devastation Continues

As the controversy brews online, the situation on the ground remains dire. PAGASA, the country’s state weather bureau, reported that Tropical Depression Dante has brought intense rainfall, triggering landslides and floods across Central and Northern Luzon, as well as parts of the Visayas.

Marikina City was among the hardest-hit areas, with the Marikina River reaching 22.4 meters overnight, prompting the forced evacuation of thousands of residents to shelters like Malanday Elementary School. Dozens of barangays across Rizal, Bulacan, and Quezon provinces remain submerged, with the list of missing persons continuing to grow.

The Philippine government has already suspended classes and government work in over 30 provinces, and emergency response teams are working around the clock to provide aid to affected communities.

A Wider Conversation Beyond One Celebrity

While the spotlight may currently be on Liza Soberano, the incident has opened a wider conversation on how Filipino celebrities engage with national issues — especially during natural disasters, which the country faces frequently.

Some netizens expressed concern that cancel culture is being weaponized unfairly, discouraging people — celebrities included — from helping in their own way. Others argue that visibility matters in moments of national crisis.

“We don’t need them to brag, but we do need them to care — loudly,” one user wrote.

As the rains continue and the damage unfolds, many hope that the public discourse will shift from social media drama to real-world solidarity — and that both private citizens and public figures will continue finding meaningful ways to help.