Jam of YouTube's Jamich reacts to iPhone 6 issue

YouTube tandem and real-life couple Jamich. Photo grab from Jamich's instagram page

MANILA – Jam Sebastian, half of the popular YouTube tandem and real-life couple Jamich, explained his side after being criticized by netizens over his recent “ipon para sa iPhone” Facebook post.

In a statement read by TV host Kris Aquino on “Aquino and Abunda Tonight” on Thursday night, Sebastian made it clear that that he and his girlfriend, Paolinne Michelle Liggayu, never asked for any donations from fans.

Still, he assured that all the donations – and even the proceeds of the benefit concert organized by their friends – went to his cancer treatment.

Sebastian announced via social media last March that he has lung cancer.

“We just want to clear things out. We never begged for donations. Nagkaroon po kami ng benefit concert before, ‘yun ‘yung way ng mga celebrity friends namin na gustong tumulong sa sakit ko. Sa lahat ng nagbigay ng donations before, we’re very grateful for that and we assure you na lahat po ‘yun ay napunta sa pagpapagamot ko. Wala naman po sigurong tao na uunahin pa ang luho kesa sa pagpapagaling niya,” he said.

Early this week, netizens criticized Sebastian for announcing on Facebook that he plans to save up for the newly launched iPhone 6 smartphone, coining the statement “ipon para sa iPhone.”

Some people said they felt offended by the post, with others sharing that they made an effort to cut expenses and sacrifice some luxuries to donate money for Sebastian’s treatment.

Sebastian stressed, however, that he and Liggayu have enough money to buy the things they want.

“May pera naman po kaming pambili ng mga bagay na gusto namin,” he said, as he thanked fans and Jamich for their support.

Reacting to the statement, Aquino and fellow host Boy Abunda reminded Jamich to be more sensitive and careful when posting on social media to avoid misinterpretation.

“You have to be very careful because when you post something, it is open to anybody’s interpretation. ‘Yun lamang. Take care of yourself. Know your priorities and don’t lose focus of what your core is,” he said.

Aquino, for her part, said: “Kailangan talaga may sensitivity kasi nga sila nakikipag-away para sa’yo eh. At sila ang tumataya para sa’yo. Kaya dapat suklian mo ‘yun.”