Netizens React to Arron Villaflor’s “Pray for Cebu” Post
ARRON VILLAFLOR – The actor and public servant received mixed reactions online after asking for prayers for Cebu City, which was struck by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on the night of September 30.
Instead of receiving sympathy, Villaflor was teased by some netizens after sharing a post on social media. The post featured an art card with his message, “Pray for Cebu and those affected by the earthquake,” along with a photo of him holding his hands together as if in prayer.
Villaflor, who is also a provincial board member of Tarlac’s second district, clearly intended to encourage unity and prayers for those affected by the disaster. However, many netizens focused more on his photo than on his message. Some said he looked like a saint, while others compared him to Zaijian Jaranilla’s character “Santino” from the 2009 ABS-CBN drama May Bukas Pa.
Although Villaflor later deleted the post, screenshots had already spread online. The group Follow The Trend Movement reposted it with the caption: “Tarlac board member Arron Villaflor prays for Cebu.”
This repost sparked a wave of mixed reactions, with many netizens leaving humorous and sarcastic remarks. Some compared Villaflor to fictional or religious figures such as “Santino” and even Pedro Calungsod, saying his photo made him look saintly. Others poked fun at the prayer-like pose, turning it into a running joke online.
Despite the teasing, some netizens defended Villaflor, emphasizing that he only meant well. They pointed out that his goal was simply to ask for prayers and show concern for the victims.
Meanwhile, Arron Villaflor is an actor, performer, and politician from Tarlac. He first rose to fame as the runner-up in Star Circle Quest (2004) and later became known for roles in Heneral Luna, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, Juan dela Cruz, and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. In 2025, he began his political career as a Board Member of Tarlac’s 2nd District under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.