Filipina singer Denise Julia defended her Tondo, Manila roots after a social media user claimed she had “clearly never lived this life” following her performance on the From The Block platform.
The criticism came in response to a post by Filipino Pop Crave featuring Denise Julia’s From The Block performance of her song “SPEECHLESS” from the Philippines.
Filipina artist Denise Julia delivers a From The Block performance of “SPEECHLESS” from the Philippines. pic.twitter.com/DuDMbYEXwj
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 24, 2026
The video showed Denise Julia performing in front of a sari-sari store called “Tindahan ni Aling Nena.” In one scene, she was also seen drinking beer along the street.
“mom i swear i love you but can we be real for a sec… you’ve clearly never lived this life,” an X user wrote in a quote post.
Denise Julia directly responded to the comment, saying the claim about her background was false.
“hi! actually i did. 🤗 you can go to Barangay 16 Sto. Niño Street and ask about me,” she wrote.
The singer said she was “born and raised in Tondo” and left at the age of 20.
“I was born and raised in tondo and ran away at 20 because of abuse. what makes you say I never lived this life? because of the schools I went to? the music I make? ppl [people] seem to know me so well to be able to speak this freely on my name when really, this is a prime example of you all projecting what u want my story and history to be without facts.”
Denise Julia also pushed back against assumptions that people from Tondo should look or speak a certain way.
“What exactly are people from tondo only supposed to look and sound like for them to be believable? the idea that someone cannot carry themself a certain way, or go to certain schools or dream beyond where she grew up i believe is quite classist.”
She added that her upbringing continues to shape her identity and achievements.
“at the end of the day, i will always represent where i come from because i know what it took for a girl from tondo to accomplish the things she once thought were impossible.”
Denise Julia ended her post by saying: “again, if you get it, you get it. if you don’t, that’s okay too!!! 🤍”
hi! actually i did. 🤗 you can go to Barangay 16 sto niño street and ask about me.
I was born and raised in tondo and ran away at 20 because of abuse. what makes you say I never lived this life? because of the schools I went to? the music I make? ppl seem to know me so well to… https://t.co/GZ6Pw6bldU
— denise julia ♡ (@denisejvlia) July 27, 2026
She also used the post to promote her newly released “LOVE AGAIN” EP.
Prior to this, Denise Julia encouraged viewers to support the American platform, From the Block, saying it is the first time an artist brought it to the Philippines.
She also reiterated that she is from Tondo and worked with Filipino team to produce the performance.
“From the Block is an American platform built around artists showing the block they’re from. i’m from Tondo. so i simply filmed in Tondo, brought my people out, and worked with a Filipino director, crew, and designer, to show the place and culture that made me,” the artist said.
“this is the first time a Filipino artist brought From the Block to the Philippines. and the Filipino team behind it got to see their work on a Times Square billboard in NYC,” she added.
This was in response to an X user asking when Denise Julia would hire a creative director to match her style.
u all need to relax 🤍 From the Block is an American platform built around artists showing the block they’re from. i’m from Tondo. so i simply filmed in Tondo, brought my people out, and worked with a Filipino director, crew, and designer, to show the place and culture that made… https://t.co/qjdrLvz4DE
— denise julia ♡ (@denisejvlia) July 26, 2026
In a separate Instagram post, Denise Julia proudly shared her billboard at the Times Square, captioning it: “TONDO TO TIMES SQUARE!🥺🇵🇭”
Denise Julia, known for such as TikTok hit “NVMD,” “B.A.D,” “Lackin” and “Butterflies.” signed with U.S.-based record label EMPIRE in May.
READ: ‘We made history’: Denise Julia signs with US record label
