AWRA Briguela has asked for forgiveness from her family and from those involved in the controversial bar brawl last year.
The 20-year-old actress expressed her regret in an open letter on Instagram Tuesday night, May 7, almost a year after the incident happened in Makati City. It resulted in her arrest in June 2023 and she was slapped with several complaints. She was released from jail in July 2023 after posting bail for cases of physical injuries and simple disobedience to a person.
Briguela addressed her open letter to “the people I’ve disappointed, to the people who were involved, to the one who believed in me, and especially to my family.”
“Gusto ko simulan sa paghingi ng tawad sa pamilya ko lalong lalo na sa magulang ko. Patawad kung mas pinili kong takbuhan at talikuran ang mga problema. Patawad kung wala akong tapang harapin ang mga issues natin [sa] isa’t isa,” wrote Briguela.
“Patawad kung mas pinili kong tumakbo at magpakasaya nang panandalian imbis na ayusin natin ang problema,” she continued.
Briguela said her family had been affected by the bar brawl that made headlines last year, but she assured them that she will do her best to become a better version of herself.
“Ang tanging hiling ko lang sa ngayon ay nawa’y sana ‘wag kayong mapagod na bigyan ako ng pagkakataon magbago at bumawi sa lahat ng pagkakamali ko at ang pagkakataon na ’to ay hinding hindi ko na sasayangin,” said the actress.
Briguela asked for forgiveness from those involved in the incident, even if they were now on “good terms” after settling the matter privately.
“The mistakes and all the damages that were done [were] mine and I am willing to take accountability and responsibility. I will take all of these as a lesson that I will carry for the rest of my life,” she said, thanking them for accepting her apology.
She expressed gratitude to those who believed in her and apologized for disappointing them, and promised to learn from her mistakes.
“I know it will take a lot of time for you all to forgive me, but please do know that I’m taking my time as well to forgive myself,” she said.
Briguela also had a message for herself, adding that the incident will serve as “a big lesson” for her.
“I am very sorry that I let our emotions consume us, I’m very sorry we lost our spark at some point of our life and I’m very, very sorry [because] I didn’t take care of ourself,” she wrote.
The actress ended her open letter by claiming that she would not let “fear” win over her again.
In a recent vlog with her talent manager, comedienne Vice Ganda, Briguela revealed that she is now in a better position, almost a year after the bar brawl.
While she has yet to “forgive” herself, she said that she is trying to recover by starting to “find what I love” and “do what makes me happy.”
Netizens support Awra
In the comments section of her Instagram post, netizens expressed their support for Briguela and said that what matters is that she learned from her lessons.
“Hindi naman porket nagkamali ka noon, tingin na nila sa’yo ‘yun habang buhay. Bata ka pa ang mahalaga maraming nagmamahal sayo at nasa likod mo. Ang mahalaga natuto ka tumayo at manindigan,” an Instagram user wrote.
“Wala naman perfect na tao, basta if we make mistakes, be accountable and say sorry sa mga taong nasasaktan natin or nagawan natin ng kasalan,” another netizen said.
“You’re so brave to take accountability for your mistakes. So proud of this kind of person. Hindi kabawasan ang maging aminado sa pagkakamali na nagawa mo,” said a social media user.
Other netizens and personalities–including drag queens Pura Luka Vega and Precious Paula Nicole–reminded Briguela that she is loved and that there are people who will always stand by her side.
