Bilar, Bohol Mayor Norman Palacio has publicly rejected popular performer Elias J. TV’s claim that flight delays prevented him from appearing at Friday night’s fiesta concert (May 16, 2025), leaving hundreds of disappointed fans who had waited for hours at the town’s concert venue.
“We cannot accept Elias’s reason that his flight was delayed, which is why he failed to appear at our concert scheduled for last night during our town’s fiesta celebration,” Mayor Palacio stated in an official address Saturday morning.
The mayor has remained tight-lipped about potential legal repercussions despite the local government having made huge financial investments.
“The mayor has not disclosed whether they will take legal action against Elias’s group after paying the down payment and purchasing airplane tickets for 15 people,” a source confirmed.
Public Outrage
Mylyn Palacio, the mayor’s wife, posted a blistering condemnation on social media that quickly went viral: “Elias J. TV, what???? You rebooked your ticket to Cebu claiming your Manila to Panglao flight was delayed? Where’s the delay in that???? YOU ARE A LIAR!!!! You don’t deserve respect. You have no compassion for the organizers, especially for people who stood in line for hours just to see you. You have no manners and have lost the respect of everyone in Bilar!!!”
Her post continued with a stark warning: “The people who made you popular can also bring down your fame!!! YOU’RE A BIG LIAR!!!!”
May 16 Event
The concert was prominently advertised as part of the town’s fiesta honoring St. Isidore: “A spectacular fusion of music and lights takes over the Upper Ground tonight, May 16, 2025, as Elias J. TV Band is set to electrify the stage with a live performance,” read promotional materials distributed throughout Bohol province.
Opening acts J-ann Talisic of The Music and Me Band and Centerstage Band had already performed when organizers were forced to announce the headliner would not appear.
Contradicting Claims
Elias posted a brief apology on his official account: “I sincerely apologize to everyone in Bilar, Bohol. I hope you can all forgive me, especially the Mayor. I’m very sorry I couldn’t make it to your place because my flight was severely delayed. Please forgive me.”
This explanation has been directly contradicted by multiple witnesses and event organizers.
Eliza Miel, a Bohol resident who attended the concert, reacted: “What nonsense, Elias J. TV! You weren’t on the plane because of delays, but your TWO members boarded without bringing any equipment! Unbelievable! You’re treating us like fools!”
Miel added: “The LGU bought you tickets for a 10 AM flight, but you insisted on flying in the evening. Where was your brain? This will surely be your last gig because you’ve lost all credibility!”
Concert organizer Firmjun Niño Diel issued a strongly-worded statement addressing the artist directly: “You were given a ticket by the LGU of Bilar, your hotel was already prepared, and you knew you had a concert scheduled here. A lot of people were already waiting for you, excited to see your performance. And yet, you didn’t show up.”
“This isn’t just about missing an event—this is about being professional and respecting the people who supported you and expected you to follow through,” Diel continued. “I stood up for you and believed in what you could bring to this show, but what happened was completely unacceptable.”
Diel’s statement concluded with: “You made the LGU look bad, wasted people’s time and energy, and let down an entire crowd. I honestly expected better from you. Let this be a wake-up call. If you want to be taken seriously in this industry, you have to act like a professional.”
Pattern of Cancellations
This incident appears to be part of a troubling pattern, according to fans.
One supporter wrote online: “CANCELED TWO GIGS IN A ROW, HOPEFULLY THIS WON’T CONTINUE. AS A FAN OF Elias J. TV, I HOPE THIS DOESN’T HAPPEN AGAIN. THE EXCITEMENT WE FEEL ABOUT SEEING ELIAS AT THESE EVENTS IS MATCHED BY TRIPLE THE DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN WE READ ANNOUNCEMENTS LIKE THIS.”
Eunice Legaria, who attended the event, described the atmosphere: “Felt bad for LGU Bilar and for the people who were anticipating his arrival. Everything was set, then at the last minute, he said they couldn’t make it. We were trying to entertain the crowd while waiting for Elias, but he never showed up.”
Bilar LGU officials confirmed the fiesta celebrations will continue through the weekend with other scheduled performances, though many residents expressed that the damage to community trust has already been done.