DUMAGUETE CITY — Social media personality Ferdinand Dela Merced, better known as Philippine Looper, has been declared persona non grata by the provincial government of Negros Oriental following his controversial comments about the local government ahead of Typhoon Tino’s landfall.
In a video posted by the Negros Oriental Provincial Tourism Board from its November 10 session, Board Member Erwin Macias presented a motion to censure Dela Merced for his “disrespectful and offensive” online remarks directed at local authorities and residents. The motion was approved by Vice Governor Cezanne Fritz Diaz.
Dela Merced, who has over one million followers on Facebook, is currently attempting to walk from Batanes to Jolo — a record-breaking trek he began in January 2025 from Kilometer Zero in Manila. His social media pages document his journey, which he claims is both a personal challenge and a way to reconnect with his long-lost father.
According to Macias, Dela Merced arrived in Dumaguete City on November 1, while local officials were mobilizing disaster response efforts for Typhoon Tino. Despite the province offering him free accommodations, Dela Merced went online on November 3 to allege neglect by the provincial government and tourism office. He also dismissed the incoming typhoon as “routine” and referred to his visit as “rare.”
Macias said Dela Merced’s posts unfairly criticized officials’ “lack of attention” despite their hospitality. One of his comments read:
“Kalamidad lang ’yan. Taon-taon nating nae-experience ’yan pero ’yung bumisita sa inyo, tatratuhin n’yo ng ganito sa LGU, eh ’wag naman.”
The online backlash was swift. Some netizens accused Dela Merced of arrogance, dubbing him the “Guinness Book of Bad Attitude,” while others defended him, urging the public to understand his situation.
Following the declaration, Dela Merced posted a reaction on Facebook — even tagging the Office of the President — saying,
“No worries kesa naman tumagal ako sa lugar niya na sabihan ako ng eto na ang Philippine Blooper na palamunin ng bansa.”
Later, he uploaded a video titled “Public Apology”, expressing regret over the misunderstanding and frustration from hurtful online comments.
“Ikaw ba naman sabihan na, ‘Andyan na si Philippine Blooper, palamunin ng bayan,’ sino’ng hindi sasakit ang loob doon?” he said.
Dela Merced clarified that his Guinness attempt is only secondary to his true goal — finding his father, whom he last saw during his childhood in Nueva Ecija.