A FEW days ago, popular Filipino influencer Juilliana Villafuerte started going viral after posting a vlog that many viewed to be insensitive.
In the video, Villafuerte posted a clip of a patient flatlining. She did not include the name or the face of the patient.
She explained that while all life support measures were taken, the patient wasn’t revived.
Many found it insensitive that the vlogger included this in the video, wherein she even turned it into a life lesson, saying: “The patient’s family members came to the ER weeping and that’s when it hit me, how life is just so short.”
“So short for us to worry, complain, and wait for something bigger and better instead of focusing on all the simple blessings that surround us every day. So, love the people who treat you right. Forgive the ones who don’t. And believe that everything happens for a reason.”
Following this, she included a clip of herself crying, as she talked about how difficult she found her line of work to be at times. The next part of the video showed her unboxing a few packages that she had received.
@notjuillianaissue iyak then haul after (check my acc for more) #juillianavillafuerte #flatlineissue #nursestudent #nurseoftiktok #foryoupage #foryou#studentnurse #flatline# #hotissue ♬ original sound – issue
Many have since started posting their thoughts about this video online, even dubbing her “The Flat Line Queen.”
Since then, Villafuerte has released an apology on her social media, stating that she realizes now that her actions lack respect and sensitivity, and that it was never her intention to cause any discomfort to those who’d seen her video.
At present, Villafuerte has not yet responded to Republicasia’s request for an interview regarding this incident.
No more boundaries
With how popular social media and influencers have become, it seems that the lines between public and private matters have become practically non-existent.
Many of us have grown used to sharing whatever we want online, sometimes forgetting that others can see them, as well. We even make dump or rant accounts wherein we share our most private secrets for all of our followers to see.
When we were younger, our parents used to tell us to be careful of what we post online, because whatever we do post is often on the internet forever. And while we may laugh at this now, we don’t realize how much truth this actually holds.
Take, for example, Villafuerte’s video. Even if she were to delete it or issue an apology, the clip is still up for thousands to see. Such is the same for influencers or celebrities when old tweets, videos, or photos of theirs start to resurface, getting them in trouble despite being posted years ago.
When discussing this issue with my mother, we realized something: That, at this point, it seems that many have forgotten the ideas of basic etiquette just because they are sitting in front of a screen.
Basic human decency
A new trend with influencers has started going around: the more “authentic” you are (AKA the more comfortable you are with sharing things about yourself online,) the more engagements you get.
Another example of this is an issue that has recently gone viral on TikTok, wherein after an influencer was invited to someone’s birthday, they then took to TikTok to say that they didn’t have fun at the party.
“I’m currently getting canceled because I went to an influencer’s birthday party and I said that I didn’t have fun so I decided to leave,” she said, adding a video from the said birthday party and editing sounds of squeaking shoes over it.
She also complained about the fact that her drinks were not paid for.
Content creator Noah Glenn Carter then stated: “I hope you enjoyed that party because no TikToker is ever going to invite you anywhere after that.”
Another content creator, Danisha Carter, also stitched this video, saying: “For some reason, so many people think etiquette and tact don’t apply on the internet because they’ve watched influencers and wannabe influencers get on here and say out-of-pocket sh*t, sharing parts of their lives that shouldn’t be shared, so often that it registers as normal when it isn’t.”
In this day and age, it feels like less and less people become familiar with the concept of basic human decency given how much they’re able to get away with due to the protection that’s provided via the internet.
You can say as many hurtful things as you want or do whatever because hey, what are they gonna do, right? If ever you get called out, you can just write up an apology in your notes app, post it to social media, and call it a day.
As seen with Villafuerte’s video, many people started calling her out because this, apparently is not a first-time offense. One user on Reddit states that she’s been called out in the past for things like wearing false eyelashes during duty or prioritizing taking a video over caring for her patients.
“She isn’t sorry for what she did kasi she’s been doing it for the past several years,” they wrote.
“She’s only sorry ‘cause she got caught, and now her soon-to-be license is now in danger.”
When on the internet, remember that there’s no problem with sharing parts of your life online; I understand that it can be therapeutic in a way, particularly when you’re experiencing a lot of negative emotions all at once. It’s also used as a coping mechanism by many which, again, is understandable.
You must also take into account, though, the people who are affected by the things that you post. There are still things that you should keep private – things that have no business being seen by others, much less by thousands of people.
If you wouldn’t do it in public or in person, what makes you so comfortable with doing it online?
