Goin' Bulilit jokes, too mature for kids?

        The media gives information that is needed in our daily lives. Weather reports and news programs are several examples of media as source of information to the public. On the other hand, entertainment is also one reason why people resort to watching television programs and engaged themselves to the social media like Facebook, Twitter and others. Hence, comedy actors and actresses become influential in our society. Filipinos of any age could relate to any program that deals with jokes and even criticisms about the government done in a subtle way.

            Among the TV programs that showcase entertainment themes, Goin’ Bulilit is the most interesting for me to analyse. The actors and actresses of this show belong to the younger generation. They may be young at age but their portrayals and dialogues in the show are not suitable to their understanding as children. I believe that the production has used their innocence to convey the agendas and concerns of the older ones in a more effective and subtle way of giving criticisms to current issues.

            As I was watching one of the episodes of Goin’ Bulilit, one of the skits was all about the issue of Daniel Padilla’s audio clip scandal. The dialogue of the child actors and actresses was really criticizing Daniel Padilla. In my opinion, these children do not have the interest and concern about this issue and even the other topics that they discussed through other skits.

            Themes and scripts of TV programs like Goin’ Bulilit must be reviewed by the management and authorities concerned. A child perception might change in a way that is not beneficial to his character development if the TV programs would continue to involve the children in discussing topics that are not really in the field of their concern.

            As communication practitioners in the future, we all have to be responsible and accountable to our duties in conveying messages to the public in any age bracket.

2012-56162 (2) 

Goin' Bulilit goes personal on its political jokes?

            Last 30 November 2014, Goin' Bulilit started the show with its usual segment of jokes regarding politics however this time the jokes are not merely jokes as one can easily tell that the jokes pertain to a particular current issue and/or person. Truth be told, Goin' Bulilit has been doing this segment for years however as the years pass the evolution of the political jokes presented go to a more personal level.

            Examples of the jokes aired on that episode:

“Pulitiko, pinaghirapan daw niya ang pera niya sa bangko....Pinaghirapan niyang nakawin.”
“Security guard na raw ang magbabantay sa Krame at di na pulis...Kaya di nakakapasok ang mga pulis, wala silang ID puro chapa.”

          I believe that the “management” intends to deliver these jokes in order to cater to the changing taste of the society. On the other hand, I see that they may have gone too far for entertainment. Why? The children watching the show could misunderstand the “true” purpose of the joke and may copy how the joke is delivered.

           No particular article or section of the KBP Code of Ethics exactly answers this kind of issue. But if I were to give them some thoughts of mine, I would consider the following:

• Always weigh the jokes’ importance. Would the show do well without including this specific joke?\
• Think about the audience. Don’t always prioritize the business side or the needing to have a stable number of viewers in order for the production staff to keep their jobs. What about the audience?
• Consider the purpose of the show. Did we start the show with the purpose of entertainment or criticism?

        In the end, we now live in a technological age where the children (and adults) are raised by the media in ways we cannot always tell. I cannot tell you how to be a good parent nor can I tell you how to be a good kid. But living in today’s age, one must be critical and observant if one wishes to be the catalyst for change.

2012-50133 (2)