A Sudden Change of Breeze

Written on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 9:15 pm | by Letters To Editor

ABS-CBN is undergoing some changes in their programming, both on TV and radio. The network will not just focus on entertainment, news, and information, but will dedicate some airtime on religion and spirituality.

Aside from the current 3 pm prayer intermission and Sunday mass broadcast, there will be a minute of inter-faith prayer before TV Patrol World, a religious TV program on Studio 23, and a radio program anchored by Fr. Jerry Orbos which debuted last Saturday.

I don’t know why I see convicted criminals like Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez and Leo Echagaray, both carrying the holy bible in my mind, in the person of Gabby Lopez. I also don’t know what came into his head when he initiated this change. What a way to balance or compensate income-generating productions - shows moralists and censors board love to hate like Wowowee and The Singing Bee where they show female dancers wearing revealing outfits. What about reformatting Going Bulilit, a gag
show with a cast of child actors, to an educational show.

All I know is Gabby Lopez appeared on TV saying these lines without evidence: “The Filipino people and the entire media industry deserve to know the truth. We in ABS-CBN have discovered what can only be viewed as a systematic, organized and well funded attempt to cheat in the ratings.” He said this as if he was complaining to the Filipinos and advertisers that GMA Network robbed him when in fact there are a lot of things the Filipinos need to know about other than TV ratings.

If ABS-CBN will be allowed by KBP to put in more ads than what they have now, they will probably be very happy to compete with GMA Network in terms of commercial load no matter if advertisers lose audience in RP due to too many commercials and how many pleas to temper network greed come their
way.

ABS-CBN had its turn in “commercial overloading” in previous telecasts of Pacquiao boxing fights. Now it’s GMA network’s turn. These two networks know, as well as the advertisers, that it’s a must-see. Any Pacquiao fight can be considered as the counterpart of NFL championship game or Super Bowl
in the US. It’s highly rated thus, too many ads and the broadcasting network is too happy to accommodate all the advertisers who demands for spot.

But because ABS-CBN needs to follow guidelines set by KBP, the network tries all possibilities to maximize profitability. Business is business. In the most recent survey for “Asia’s 200 Most Admired Companies” by The Wall Street Journal, ABS-CBN placed 3rd in the innovation award category for
Internet TV services on TFC Now which offers online purchase for videos on demand.

I see the change in programming, with emphasis on religious programs and prayer intermissions, as a trick to deceive its audience. A way to repackage the station’s stained image and reputation. It’s
business-related. Nice move if it’s really part of their commitment to be in the service of the Filipino. What if “truth” turned 180 degrees?

Maria Ressa has been very vocal about Filipinos’ right to know. In fact, she used this to justify Ces Drilon’s “refusal” to get “arrested” during the Peninsula siege. She said Ces was just doing her job. What about other people’s job - the police? Can they not ask for their cooperation for the sake of the majority of Filipinos?

Personally, Ces Drilon’s suspension for “disobeying orders” is long overdue. That is, if Maria gave “orders” for her to evacuate the Peninsula. If Ces Drilon had been successful in producing a scoop with the Abu Sayyaf, will Maria Ressa still give her the same punishment for “disobeying orders” or they came up with the decision for suspension because of what happened?

(The preceding was an email contribution by Juan)

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About The Author: Letters To Editor are the articles and emails that have been sent to Filipino Voices.

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