Karen Bordador has become an even bigger celebrity, but for all the wrong reasons. Severe backlash has surfaced online in only a matter of days, following her arrest with boyfriend Emilio Lim in a drug-related buy-bust operation in a condominium in Pasig City last Sunday.
Bordador’s relatives have spoken in response to the extensive cyberbullying of the RX 93.1 radio jock, model and TV personality on social media.
Using the hashtag #KarenBordadorIsLove, Karen’s older sisters, Eloisa and Jocelyn, and cousin, Jason Carlos Bulatao, have launched a social media campaign to encourage Karen’s fans, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and other relatives to express their sympathy by sharing pleasant experiences they had with Karen.
In a Facebook status update first posted by Jason, Karen’s cousin, he wrote:
“To the media out there, stop using her name as the headline. That is not her condo. That is not her place. Just because it makes better headline to add a celebrity's name does not make it right. You are journalists. You are not storytellers. Stick to the facts! #KARENBORDADORISLOVE?.”
“How heartbreaking is it to have your loved one characterized like a monster when the truth is, every waking moment of her life is spent spreading love, humility, kindness and cheerfulness? We know Karen Bordador has touched you in one way or another, whether you’re a relative, friend, schoolmate, colleague, acquaintance or fan. And that is why we would like to encourage you to post a status of the person you know in your heart that she truly is. End it with the hashtag #KARENBORDADORISLOVE and help us put an end to this character assassination.”
Karen’s sisters, Eloisa and Jocelyn, posted the same words of support, with the additional paragraph that confirms their ties with the now controversial celebrity:
“My baby sister is a good person with a big heart. Our personalities are like water and oil, but she is just like the rest of us, in some ways even better. She only wants the greater good, starting from the people dearest to her heart and ending with the world.”
The Facebook post has been reposted and shared multiple times, mostly by people who wish to show support for Karen’s family at this difficult time. There are however, some who continue to criticize her.
Netizens have been quick to pass judgment and ridicule Karen online, going as far as creating a meme using Karen’s photo with a caption that says, “RADIO DJ SA UMAGA, MODEL SA TANGHALI, DRUG PUSHER SA GABI.”
This was liked and shared multiple times on Facebook. Karen’s mugshot, taken after her arrest, has likewise gone viral.
In her defense, the radio DJ was heard saying, “Wala po akong ginagawa…bumisita lang ako,” as reported on GMA Network’s “24 Oras.” A report from ABS-CBN News, however, contradicts this claim. According to the said report, ecstasy pills were seized directly from Karen during the buy-bust operation.
Regardless of the social media backlash and in light of the ongoing investigation, Karen’s supporters are all out in defending her against her detractors. People who have met, worked with or are related to Karen have expressed their own personal sentiments as well.
Jenny Yu, who hails all the way from Dubai, said, “Karen Bordador is a loving, humble and jolly person. One who is very determined to achieve her dreams, and supported herself at such a young age although she comes from a privileged family. She helps people without asking for anything in return. A true friend, Karen is indeed a good-natured person. Be strong my dear. We are here for you #Godislove#KARENBORDADORISLOVE”
Cate Aquino, who took photos for Karen’s blog, in a rather lengthy Facebook post, reminisced details of her personal friendship with Karen, ending it an affirmation of her relentless support by saying, “KAREN, I NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT NOTHING HAS CHANGED. YOU ARE UNTAINTED. THESE PEOPLE QUICK TO JUDGE HAVE NOT SEEN THE HUMILITY AND GOODNESS OF YOUR HEART. I BELIEVE IN YOUR INNOCENCE. AND I WILL CONTINUE TO LET PEOPLE REMEMBER THE KIND OF PERSON YOU ARE. HOLD ON, LOVE. THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.
#KARENBORDADORISLOVE”