Change of heart or PR gimmick?

After Bianca Gonzalez’s tweet against informal settlers unleashed a hailstorm of criticism in her direction, the TV personality sought a meeting with urban poor leaders under Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) to hear their stories and struggles.

Days before the meeting, Kadamay released a statement admonishing Gonzalez for her tweet expressing dismay at informal settlers who, she said are being “babied” by the government.

Kadamay challenged Gonzalez to visit urban poor communities, especially those targeted for demolition by the government, to help understand their situation.

On July 2, Gonzalez vented on Twitter her anger at informal settlers for insisting on occupying some of the metropolis’ “prime lots”. “Andami nating nagtatrabaho para makaipon para sa prime lot at bahay plus buwis pa. Bakit nga ba binibaby ang mga informal settlers?” said Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca).

On July 11, the TV personality met with urban poor leaders of Kadamay, where the the latter tried to explain to Gonzalez some of the issues facing the urban poor in Metro Manila and elsewhere.

The urban poor leaders are optimistic that Gonzalez will have a change of heart regarding her opinion on the urban poor. But as of this writing, the TV personality remains mum about her thoughts on the dialogue with Kadamay leaders.

In the meantime, the invitation by urban poor groups to opinionmakers like Gonzalez to visit their communities and hold discussions with them stands.