Some news are hard, but crucial to hear. The latest heartbreaking news that shocked us was Janella Salvador opening up about allegedly being physically abused by her former on- and off-screen partner, Elmo Magalona. Both of them are beloved personalities in showbiz. Individually and as a couple, they have amassed a large number of fans, and to those fans, especially, this news was even more upsetting. While some people are taking it in stride, and trying to process how they feel about it, a lot have already put their two cents on the issue. There are varying opinions, of course.
There are those who are angry about this and, sadly, lashed out on Janella. This one fan said she shouldn’t have aired out the dirty laundry and she should have considered that in the two years they were together, the times Elmo made her happy far exceeds the times she was “beaten.” Another was implying that maybe she deserved it because she was “unmanageable and hysterical.”
Just want to put it here: Both statements are honestly so effed up. One, putting up with your partner’s abusive behavior just because he’s been good to you in the past? That sounds like a toxic relationship. You might make excuses to stay in the relationship, like convincing yourself that physical pain is just temporary, that in the long run, you’re happy with him anyway. Girl, trust me, that scars you emotionally too, and that has a lasting impact. Second, even if that were true, and Janella had somehow become “unmanageable,” violence isn’t the way to handle it. If you truly respect and love your partner, you wouldn’t let it reach to that.
Another netizen noted the “systemic cover-up” by their management, and how this contributes to the backwards way in which we approach the issue of abuse of women in our society—a valid point. In her tell-all, Janella shared that she talked with the management, hoping to resolve the conflict internally, and was promised that Elmo will acknowledge the issue, but eventually had to step up because she felt “he was being stopped from owning up to his mistake.”
Though there are tweets that are painful to read, it was refreshing to see that generally, there was an outpour of support for Janella. Netizens say they are proud of her and applaud her for being strong through all of this.
Janella also shared that one reason she went public with this was “so that other young people would learn from my experience.” Well, she would be glad to know that her decision to open up was not in vain. Many people are now sharing their insights and realizations when it comes to their own relationships on Twitter.
While we await a statement from Elmo’s camp, in the meantime, we urge you to think before you post. Especially for those whose first instinct is to blame or shame Janella. Regardless if you believe her or not, there are some things we want to stress: First, that alcohol isn’t relevant here. Both women and men of legal age are allowed to drink and have fun. Getting drunk is not a valid excuse for physically hurting someone. Second, a mature and loving relationship is based on mutual respect. And no matter how much you love your partner, in the long run, tolerating their toxic behavior will only destroy both of you. And third, to quote Janella, “Even the most intelligent and respected women can be battered. No one is spared. And it’s never the fault of the abused; it’s the abuser who should be blamed.”
Photo courtesy of Janella Salvador’s Instagram account
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