On-air Lingo and Behavior of GGV

            The truth about variety programs is that we enjoy watching it. We appreciate them -- the comedy bars in our locality and talent shows on television. We always seek different ways of relaxation and entertaining ourselves.

          One of the late night shows of ABS-CBN is Gandang Gabi Vice and we can’t deny the fact that it garners a good number of viewers. It is aired every Sunday night and is rated as Strong Parental Guidance (SPG). The episode last October 12, 2014 is a little bit tacky. The host, Vie Ganda, mentioned his passiveness when it comes to sex. He also gave emphasis to the phrases “Ginaganun mo sa leeg? Kasama ang ulo?” Article 28 (On-Air Decorum) of the Broadcast Code of the Philippines said that proper decorum must be observed by the persons in a program. He further exemplified the topic by mentioning, “Maliit lang ‘yung kamay mo, eh yung ulo malaki?... Ah malago ‘yung buhok?”Article 25 (Sex, Obscenity, and Pornography) and Article 27 (On-Air Language) stated that vulgar and indecent languages are prohibited especially double meaning words. Hosts, emcees, talents, guests, participants, and audiences must behave in a way that is considered acceptable to the audience. And what is surely pleasant to the public is when you speak politely without hurting other people’s feelings.

             The host even impersonated someone with a speech defect in saying the phrase "Wǒ ài nǐ” ("I love you" in Chinese) and I felt humiliated for all the people who are experiencing this condition. It is detailed in Article 23 (Mentally and Physically Challenged Persons) that we must respect all people’s race, religion, color, ethnicity, gender, and physical or mental disability.

            In like manner, he also replied an offensive term because of the age issue introduced by his guest. The part was censored but was still aired. This show is SPG but it doesn’t mean that you’re already free of saying what you want. TV personalities and producers still have limitations and accountabilities about the topics coming out of the screen.

            Likewise, name-dropping is not favorable because some people will buy the joke but some will take offence. In another episode (September 14, 2014), Vice Ganda brought up certain names when he teased his guest’s dream name. There are episodes when he asked his visitors about virginity and when he repetitively hurdled on the lap of his guest.

                  In these instances, we have to take an extra precaution in saying words or taking actions especially that you are being watched by lots of viewers. Many people sit on their couch at night hoping for good programs on television and many parents let their children watch unattended. There’s nothing wrong with extending laughter to your audience. However, one should remember that television may be a way for the Filipino people to escape temporarily from reality but in reality, it still has a big influence to the minds of the audiences.

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Bagito, exploiting innocence?

Bagito: Pilot Episode

           

            Having a wide scope of audience ranging from young kids to matured adults brings us to the difficulty of filtering appropriate shows. When it comes to showing programs on television, sensitivity and sensibility is a must especially if we will consider the wide array of spectators who can obviously see what is shown. What may seem as an “eye-opener” that improves moral values for others may be unethical and vulgar for some people. And with that comes the issues intertwined with ABS-CBN’s new teleserye, Bagito.

            The story of Bagito follows the life of a 14-year-old boy who goes through the boon and bane of puberty, his teenage life and at the same time, the responsibility of being a young father.

            In the pilot episode of the said teleserye, there were already a lot of flaws than can be noticed. There was a part where Nash Aguas who plays “Andrew,” together with his friends, naughtily sneaked into the girl’s changing room. According to Article 25 sec. 3 of the KBP Broadcast Code of the Philippines, “Explicit depiction of sexual acts, sexual perversions, and nudity are prohibited”. The mere act of “sneaking” into the changing room of the opposite sex is an act of disrespecting their privacy—an act of sexual perversion.

            Another example of unethical portrayals from the same episode was a scene after Andrew’s 14^th birthday, when they went to a bar—of which in the very first place is inappropriate for minors like them. Sensationalizing the minds of the audiences that anyone at the age of 14 is already entitled to such behavior is really wrong.

            Furthermore, another example is the scene where Andrew and his friends deliberately showed how to actually kiss, or make a move to catch the attention of the girls. Though it may have been intended as a joke by Andrew and his friends as a part of that certain scene, still the mere portrayal of such acts are indecent in terms of putting at stake the number of audiences—young or old—who may more likely react negatively on such acts which are televised. In support to this, KBP Code’s Article 11 Sec. 11 states that “Children should not be made to perform acts that are vulgar, obscene, indecent, or inappropriate for children.”

            It can be said that one of the main purposes of the teleserye, Bagito is for social awareness aligned with the advocacy of the Philippine government about teenage pregnancy, pre-marital sex, etc. However, not all audiences are aware of the real objective of the show and others may interpret the context of the story the other way around. With this, I would like to suggest that utmost care should be taken in portraying these actions considering that a whole nation of varying ages is the audience of this televised drama.

            The pilot episode of Bagito is just the beginning of more issues that may pop out in the long run. Hopefully, ABS-CBN can find a way to promote the moral advocacy of the show prioritizing the preservation of the dignity and innocence of people particularly the child cast members and the young audiences.

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Two Wives, Too Much

Pangalan pa lang ng programa, may problema na. Para bang nagdudulot ito ng masidhing imahinasyon kung tungkol saan ba ito. Oo, nakakakuha ito ng atensyon, pero etikal ba na ipalabas ang ganitong mga programa?

Ipinalalabas tuwing alas-nuebe ng gabi mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes ang programang “Two Wives” na pinagbibidahan nina Erich Gonzales, Kaye Abad at Jason Abalos. Matatandaang pumatok sa mga manonood ang mga programang may temang agawan ng asawa. At sa ngayon, patuloy pa rin ang pagpapalabas ng mga estasyon ng ganitong mga tema. Maraming dapat isaalang-alang kung gagawa o magpapalabas ng ganitong mga programa.

Napakasensitibo para sa akin ng mga ganitong tema ng palabas. Higit pa rito ay nagbubukas ito ng isang malaking tanong sa mga manonood. Ano ba talaga ang tama? Tama ba na gawin ang lahat para sa pag-ibig kahit na mali na ito? Ang tema ng programang “Two Wives” ay tungkol sa relasyon ng isang babaeng na-inlove sa lalaking may asawa na.

“Kabit”, naging matunog ang salitang ito matapos ipalabas ang mga pelikulang No Other Woman, A Secret Affair at marami pang iba. Ngunit malinaw na naipahayag sa dulo ng mga pelikulang ito na kahit kailan ay walang magandang kahahantungan ang pagiging kabit. Papasok na rin dito ang katatapos lamang na palabas na The Legal Wife kung saan parehong tema ang iprinesenta. Naging malinaw naman sa dulo ng mga palabas na ito na hindi tanggap ng lipunan ang pakikiapid sa may asawa. Ngunit hindi kaya dahil sa paulit-ulit na pagpapalabas ng mga ganitong programa ay maging bukas ang mga taong nakakapanood sa mga ito sa ganitong klase ng relasyon?

“Two Wives”, kung ipapasa-korte ay mapapatawan ka ng kasong Bigamy. Maling-mali ito dahil sa Pilipinas, hindi pinapayagan ang Bigamy maliban sa mga Muslim at iba pang relihiyon. Hindi ba’t titulo pa lang ng programa ay mali na? Bakit pa ito ipapalabas? Para ipakita sa mga tao na mali ito? Oo, maaaring isang dahilan ‘yun. Pero bakit kailangang ulit-ulitin pa? 

       Nilalabag ng programang ito ang Article 24 Section 1 ng KBP Broadcast Code (CRIME AND VIOLENCE - Crime and violence and other acts of wrongdoing or injustice shall not be presented as good or attractive or beyond retribution, correction or reform) kung saan nagsasabing hindi dapat tinuturuan ang mga manonood na gawin ang mali. Isa itong paglabag hindi lamang sa Code of Ethics kundi sa Sampung Utos ng Diyos. Bawal maki-apid. Sa palabas na ito, kitang-kita kung paano magtaksil ang lalaki sa kanyang asawa habang kasama nito ang kanyang kabit. Tinuturuan nito ang manonood kung anu-ano ang mga pwedeng gawin ng lalaki para maitago ang kanyang kabit sa kanyang tunay na asawa.

        Ipinapakita rin sa palabas na ito kung paanong ang dating kabit ay siyang naging babaeng pumalit sa asawa noong sila’y naghiwalay na. Na ang kabit ang nagwagi dahil napaghiwalay niya ang mag-asawa. Tinuturuan ng programang ito ang mga babaeng nasa ganitong sitwasyon kung paanong mapaghihiwalay ang mag-asawa.

       Maaaring magandang ipalabas ito upang turuan ang mga manonood - turuan ang mga babaeng lumaban para sa kani-kanilang mga asawa. Pero sapat na siguro ang dalawa o tatlong programa. Hindi na kailangang ulit-ulitin pa ito dahil sa paulit-ulit na pagpapalabas dito, mas nakukunsinte ang mga manonood na gawin ito.

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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.

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Asking Minor Rape Victim to Recount Traumatic Experience

NEWS5: NOVEMBER 17, 2014.

“13-ANYOS NA DALAGITA, HALOS 8 BUWANG MINOLESTIYA NG TIYUHIN”

            Habang pinapanood ko ang balitang ito sa TV 5, wala naman sa isip kong husgahan ang laman ng balita nila o ang pagbabalita nila. Nakita ko rin naman sa paglalahad ng balita na silhouette lamang ng menor de edad ang pinapakita at hindi ito pinangalanan.

            Tila laging nababanggit ang paglabag sa RA 7610(Rape/Protection Against Child Abuse, Child Exploitation and Discrimination).  Pero bukod sa kaso ng suspek, mismong ang estasiyon ay mayroong nagawang paglabag sa KBP Broadcast Code of the Philippines.

SITUATION: Isang trese anyos(13) na dalagita ang halos walong buwan ng minomolestiya ng tiyuhin. Nais ng ina ng dalagita na mabigyan ng hustisiya ang nangyari sa anak at sana’y mahuli na ang suspek.

ANALYSIS: Mayroong programa ang TV5 na “T3 ENFORCED” kung saan ang programang ito ay laan para sa may mga reklamo o nais manawagan. Marahil nasa kagustuhan ng NEWS5 na mahanap ang suspect na nagtatago na matapos masampahan ng kaso.

DECISION: Inere ang pagsasalaysay ng menor de edad habang humahagulgol ito sa paglalahad ng ginawang pangmomolestiya sa kaniya.

            Nilabag ng programang ito ang nakasaad sa KBP Broadcast Code of the Philippines Art.3(Coverage Involving Children) Section 7 na nagsasabing, “Children should not be required, coerced or bribed to recall and narrate traumatic experiences, demonstrate horrific acts, or describe them in graphic details.”

            Sa programang ito ng NEWS5, umiiyak na ang dalagita habang nilalahad ang mga linyang, “Hinuhubadan na po niya ako ng shorts, pati panty. Tapos po, nung hinubadan na niya ako ipinasok niya yung kamay/daliri niya sa ari ko.”

            Hindi ko alam kung paano ito naatim na ipalabas. Naaawa ako sa menor de edad. Naaawa sa sinapit niya at lalo akong nanghina habang umiiyak siya at sinasabi niya ng detalyado kung paano siya minolestiya ng kaniyang tiyuhin. Para bang paulit-ulit na pinapaalala sa bata ang bangungot na kaniyang sinapit.

            Kung ako ang nasa sitwasyon ng reporter ng mga oras na iyon, hindi ko na tatanungin pa kung kamusta na ang dalaga. Galing siya sa malagim na pangyayari, malamang ano pa nga ba ang mararamdaman niya kundi pighati. At higit sa lahat hindi ko siya tatanungin kung ano at papaano ang ginawang pangmomolestiya sa kaniya. At kung sakali naman na sa kaniya mismo manggaling ang paglalahad, hindi ko na ito kukunan pa ng video o ipapakita sa publiko.

            Ang mga bata, marami pa silang hindi nalalaman sa mundong ‘to. Kaya sana, kung may pinagdadaanan sila, ‘wag na natin ipaalala ito ng paulit ulit pa at baka humantong pa ito sa mas malalang trauma.

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Tulfo Brothers on T3: Hecklers or Heroes?

       Many of us know that the Tulfo brothers are known for their tough and badass persona especially when it comes to criticizing and attacking corrupt bullies. I'm sure that some of us have already heard their straightforward and hard-hitting comments against people on television. The Tulfo brothers are what we call "big brothers" who stand up and speak up for people who are presumed weak to defend themselves; others refer to the brothers as modern day heroes. But when does one cross the line between speaking up and shaming another person?

       "T3", airing 12:30 pm on TV5 allows profane language from the three Tulfo brothers -- words like "tanga", "bobo", "inutil", and "walang kwenta" are heard from time to time. These words are not supposed to be used by a public figure or specifically, a media practitioner. This is also a violation of the KBP Broadcast code Article 27, Section 1 stating that "vulgar, obscene, or indecent language is prohibited". These banters are used by the brothers to "defend" helpless citizens who have been victims of all sorts of abuse. The brothers insult and challenge those who allegedly committed the wrongdoings. By only knowing one side of a story, the brothers play god and think they have the authority to reprimand the people on the other side. 

       The Tulfo brothers also fail to consider their audience. They have failed to think that children may also be watching their show. In an episode aired on July 24, 2014, a woman who was beaten up by an engineer was featured. Aside from describing the engineer as "napakababang uri ng lalaki" and "mas masahol pa sa ipis" (also a violation of Article 27, Section 3 stating that "name-calling and personal insults are prohibited") Raffy Tulfo challenged the engineer by saying "Alam mo kung gusto mo ng bugbugan, pagbibigyan naman kita kahit na mas bata ka sa akin eh. Gusto mo?” They also said foul words like "jumejebs" and to think that the show is airing at lunch time is just wrong. The said episode also showed pictures of the woman after she was beaten without censoring it which violates Article 6, Section 13 where "images that are gruesome, revolting, shocking, obscene, scandalous, or extremely disturbing or offensive, shall not be shown or described in graphic detail."

       Media is indispensable and a vehicle of information at the same time that holds ethical standards. As public figures, the Tulfo brothers should have known better than saying hard-hitting words and libelous comments on air; even if the person they are attacking did something bad.

The Tulfo brothers' program, "T3", is said to provide and strengthen public service but I say otherwise -- the show strengthens their "macho" image, declares their strength to beat some guy up, and boosts their familial ego.

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Unfair Portrayal: the Controversial BIR Print Ad

            On March 2, 2014, a foul tax campaign advertisement by the Bureau of Internal Revenue appeared in a newspaper.

            In the half-paged print ad, it can be seen that a female doctor is riding piggyback on a female teacher. The ad also shows the income of the said doctor and teacher. The doctor named Marjorie Villena, earned P1, 075,080.52 and paid only P7, 424 in taxes while the teacher named Carina Santos, who earned P852, 169.48, paid P221, 694.23 in taxes. At the bottom of the ad is a message saying: "When you don’t pay your taxes, you’re a burden to those who do. Do your share. knowyourtaxes.ph."

            First, the print ad violated the Ads Standard Council Code of Ethics, Article 2 section 1 (b) where it stated that “advertisements should not be deceptive or mislead the public”. The said ad is misleading to the people who might see it because it will lead them to the conclusion that all doctors are tax cheats. “Let's say for example that there might be some truth to it, the presentation of the doctor is still unfair for it generalizes the whole population of doctors in our country.

           The ad created a negative image and employed stereotyping and shaming which is an ethical violation in advertising. If the BIR wanted to collect taxes, shaming and stereotyping is not the right way to do it especially that it is a government agency and it represents the Filipino people. It is ironic how something that should represent the Filipino people undermines its countrymen. The Bureau of Internal Revenue should have been more mindful on what they are trying to say rather than just creating a "publicity gimmick" for people to pay their taxes.

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(Editor’s note: If the figures in the print ad were annual incomes, then doing some simple calculations will lead us to the assumed monthly income of Carina Santos, the school teacher,  at around P65,000 a month [annual income divided by 12+1 months]. Perhaps, BIR (or at least the creative geniuses behind this print ad) should also earn the ire of school teachers for misrepresenting a very basic fact about them.)