Flawed youth?

Goin’ Bulilit Episode: November 23, 2014

As much as some TV shows nowadays are meant for fun or in other words, the entertainment of target audiences, still the occurrence of unfavorable acts in any show is inevitable. And in a bridge that connects us to this idea lies the critical situations of the young budding actors and actresses in the show and their fellow young counterparts on the side of the audience.

Take the case of ABS-CBN’s show, Goin’ Bulilit. It is a gag show featuring children in various comedic situations, thus its main objective is to be funny and entertaining for young spectators. Based on some observations, some segments and jokes involved in the show are apparently not suitable for young audiences.

   

         To discuss this issue, let’s take a look at the episode on November 23, 2014. There was a part in the said episode where two children were playing the role of a husband and a wife. At the end of that certain part, one of the child actors said “walang hiya ka!” — an evident act of  letting young actors speak such nasty words.

   

          Moreover, another example is the show’s other segments where the young cast of the show danced sexily and wore sexy outfits inappropriate for them. Although it’s a gag show and parody is one of its main focuses, making them wear attires that are not suitable for them is not really ‘cute’ in the eyes of most adult audiences.

            Furthermore, in the ‘Use it in a sentence’ (one-liner jokes) portion of the show, there was this line: Use ‘zigzag in a sentence.—“Huwag kang tatawa kundi zigzagin kita ng kutsilyo!” Apparently, there was a tinge of violence promoted in the execution of such language.

    

        In support to the said examples, here’s Article 11 sec.11 of the KBP Broadcast Code of the Philippines: “Children should not be made to perform acts, use language, or put on attire that is vulgar, obscene, indecent, or inappropriate for children.”

         In addition to the aforementioned examples is the “Pampainit Tips” segment of Goin’ Bulilit. These one-liner jokes were mentioned in this particular portion: (a) Talukbong ng kumot at plantsa ng katawan. (b) Umupo sa mainit na kawa, etc. According to Article 11 sec. 1, the airing of programs that would help children to develop their full physical, mental, and social potential as well as attain psychological, emotional, and spiritual maturity shall be encouraged. But then, considering the unlikable idea of the “Pampainit Tips” segment of the show, that certain part seems to be violating what the article says.

           Digging deeper, another example is a part on the same episode where the scene acted out portrayed a situation of making fun of the LGBT. The criticism on this segment of the show falls under Article 22 which states that: DISCRIMINATION. A person, religion, color, ethnicity, gender and physical or mental disability shall not be used in a way that would embarrass, degrade, or ridicule him.

            I must say that it is indeed a program of flawed staging. But still, the show goes on obviously with no strong foundation in making any changes. So, as a soon-to-be media practitioner, it is best to find a way that will align with the innocence the children are entitled of.

2012-52278 (1)