BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) and Councilor Maximo Hilario Edwin Jr., along with members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), Ibaloy elders, and Baguio-based media, gathered to hear an apology from Romeo Ogong.

The country music singer faced backlash after delivering jokes that many considered insensitive.

Ogong admitted to crossing the line, acknowledging that the event—the 17th Ibaloi Day celebration—was intended to be a family-oriented and cultural occasion.

"And I'm so sorry if I crossed the line. Given the fact that the celebration is supposed to be holy and family-oriented, I was not well-informed. It was very hard for me as a performer to please everybody. The joke didn't start with me; I was just riding the energy of the crowd. I am a performer who doesn't use a script for how a show flows," he said. According to Ogong, he is apologizing to all sectors offended by his remarks and stated that the experience will serve as a lesson for him.

IPMR Edwin earlier filed a resolution to declare Ogong persona non grata in the city. He stated that filing the resolution was his obligation, given the public outcry from Baguio residents who found Ogong’s jokes misogynistic. He added that the move was also intended to compel Ogong’s camp to issue a public apology.

The controversy stemmed from Ogong’s remarks about his willingness to provide sperm through in vitro fertilization during his performance on February 23, 2026. His comments drew immediate criticism from local officials and the public.

Baguio City Councilor John Rey Mananeng noted that, to strengthen Baguio’s standing as a character city, officials are now drafting guidelines and measures for organizers and performers to follow during future community activities. He emphasized that the city will use the Ogong incident as one reference point when crafting new standards.