“I should have been informed.”
No one would ever forget this famous line that catapulted Christopher Lao to internet celebrity status. Chris, as he is more affectionately called in the University of the Philippines College of Law, was, without a doubt, a victim of cyber-bullying. He had been the target of comic, bordering criminal, vexations online and offline.
While there were rumors that Lao had a minor bout with depression following his tragic experience in August where he almost lost his life in a flood, and instead of getting sympathies, he received criticisms instead, Lao chose to bounce back; and if there is any consolation, he now stars in his own car insurance advertisement.
Through a mutual friend, Benedict Nispesros, I was able to immediately get in touch with Chris, who happens to be a schoolmate of mine at the U.P. College of Law.
In a one-on-one interview with philstar.com and this writer, Chris said that he wants to send a message of inspiration to victims of bullying.
“It (the car insurance viral ad) is my way of reminding people to choose life, not death; hope, not despair. I have been through hell but I am surprised to have found myself fighting back.”
In the advertisement, Lao plays himself repeating the same words he told GMA reporter Jun Veneracion, who is played by an actor in the commercial. The commercial ends with the graphic, "Nature doesn't inform you,” pitching auto loans that come with one year free insurance covering acts of nature. The video can be found on the insurer’s YouTube channel and is expected to air on cinemas soon.
Though he had qualms about doing the commercial, also due to the fact that he is currently reviewing for the November Bar Examinations, Lao decided to do the commercial so as to inspire other victims of bullying.
“I want to inspire those who were and are being given a hard time by bullies… that they too can overcome.”
Lao’s new advertisement had earned praises in social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, the very same platforms which once harbored hatred against Christopher Lao.