Universal Records has distanced itself from the controversial China-Philippines “friendship song,” “Iisang Dagat,” stressing that it had no participation in the “production and promotion” of the said project.

The record label received flak online from netizens, who noticed that the company was among the entities given special thanks in the song’s music video description.

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“The inclusion of the company name in the aforementioned caption was posted without our consent and has therefore misled audiences with our nonparticipation in the project,” Universal Records said in a statement.

“Dagat” was posted on the YouTube page of the Filipino-Chinese lifestyle magazine show “Chinatown TV,” which coproduced the song together with the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and the Guizhou Xinpai Media Company.

While Universal did receive an invitation from Chinatown TV to help promote the project, the label clarified that it “respectfully decline[d]” the request. “We advise everyone to be vigilant regarding such matters and to continue to watch out for your safety at this time,” the statement added.

Written by Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, “Dagat” intends to express China’s solidarity with the Philippines in battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“China stands as one, fights as one, and heals as one with the Philippines,” read the caption of the video, which features clips that tout China’s COVID-19 related donations and contributions, as well as sound bites of Philippine government officials—President Duterte, included—expressing gratitude to China.

“‘Dagat’ goes out to everyone who has contributed to the fight against the epidemic from both countries, especially the China medical expert team to the Philippines,” the caption said.

The music video, however, failed to achieve its desired effect.

Instead of inspiring solidarity, the song drew anger and criticism from Filipino netizens, who were quick to point out the irony in “Dagat’s” title and message, given China’s territorial assertions in the long-disputed West Philippine Sea. Political analysts, on the other hand, dismissed the song as “propaganda.”

“Jukebox Queen” and Camarines Sur Vice Gov. Imelda Papin was likewise slammed by not a few critics for lending her voice to the project. The seasoned singer was joined by Chinese diplomat Xia Wenxin, Filipino-Chinese singer Jhonvid Bangayan, and Chinese actor Yubin.

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As of press time, “Iisang Dagat,” which has so far amassed around 522,000 views on YouTube, has been thumbed down 150,000 times.

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