Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift was not doing presumptive President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s campaign hand sign when she made a "V" hand gesture during her speech at the New York University commencement ceremony last May 18, contrary to what a YouTube video insinuated.
YouTube channel DDS Watch uploaded a video on May 19 implying that Swift expressed support for Marcos. The eight-minute clip bore the title:
TAYLOR SWIFT nag-BBM SIGN sa harap ni LENI ROBREDO sa NEW YORK? Mga kakampink di pa rin makamoveon (Taylor Swift did a BBM sign in front of Leni Robredo in New York? Kakampinks still can't move on).
BBM stands for Bongbong Marcos while kakampinks are what Vice President Robredo's supporters call themselves.
A full video of Swift's speech from CBS New York's YouTube channel shows the pop star making the V sign with her both hands at the 1:27 mark in reference to her hit song "22" and not in support of Marcos.
Before flashing the hand gesture, Swift said at the 1:20 mark:
I feel so proud to share this day with my fellow honorees …who humble me with the ways they improve our world with their work. As for me, I’m 90% sure the main reason I’m here is because I have a song called ‘22.’
Swift was guest speaker at this year's NYU graduation, where she also received an honorary doctorate of fine arts.
Robredo was also at the event. Her youngest daughter Jillian was among the university's graduates.
As of writing, the clip from DDS Watch has 30,307 views and 512 likes. YouTube channel SAMMY TV also uploaded a similar video on May 21 which has 1,725 views. (RC)