PERSONA NON GRATA? Photo shows the video of hip-hop artist EZ Mil’s "Panalo" (Trap Cariñosa) song performance which gained 20 million views and over 1.3 million likes in less than a week, being played on a laptop. Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan on Monday (Feb. 8, 2021) said he will ask the city council to declare the Fil-Am music artist as “persona non grata” over controversial lyrics in the song. (PNA photo by John Rey Saavedra)
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – Mayor Junard Chan on Monday said he will ask the city council here to declare Fil-Am music artist Ez Mil as “persona non grata” over lyrics about the Cebuano hero Lapulapu in his now-viral “Panalo” song.
The persona non grata or unwelcome status recommendation came after the US-based Pinoy rapper stirred controversy for his “Pinugutan si Lapu sa Mactan” lyrics in his song.
Chan said he will also ask the city legal office here to look into the possible legal action to be taken against the rapper.
“He’s making a big mockery of our hero who should be respected, not ridiculed,” the mayor said in Cebuano, criticizing the artist for making up stories.
Ez Mil’s song went viral after his performance on the Wish USA’s YouTube channel, which now has about 27 million views.
Part of the "Panalo" song goes: “Nanalo na ako nung mula pa na/ Pinugutan si Lapu sa Mactan/ At lahat ang nasaktan na/ Nalaman nila na pinatay/ Ang kanilang bayani/ Sa karagatan ng bansa/ Na pag-aari ng Pilipino…”
In a virtual presscon on Wish’s YouTube channel on Feb. 4, the young rapper whose real name is Ezekiel Miller said: “I’m sorry to anybody who was offended with the fact that me being putting inaccurate sources in our history as Filipinos.”
Lapulapu is regarded as the country’s first national hero.
Coincidentally, the 500th anniversary of Lapulapu and his men’s victory at Mactan against Spanish invaders led by Magellan will be commemorated this year. (PNA)
