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What Willing Willie taught me.
Noontime shows have always been a staple in the Filipino culture. I have seen noontime shows come and go - some of them I appreciate (especially Lunch Date just because of Randy Santiago) and some of them I wrinkle my nose at (Wowowee). But they exist because there's a market.
Eat Bulaga is an institution in the noontime show niche. They've come a long way from being just a variety show. Although there are times that they leave a bad taste in my mouth (such as the innuendos JDL often gives) I still respect them because of the human stories they try to show the people. They help people who need it without exploiting them. Sometimes, they go a bit over the top with the drama but I understand it completely. After all, it's still television.
Now, although Willing Willie is not in the noontime show category, it does have the same formula as its predecessor did (Wowowee). They have the games, the mini variety show and the money that's being given away. People watch the show in the studio for a chance to get a spot at the games and bring home some money. Again, I understand that. who wouldn't want to bring home at least 5 thousand pesos just by jumping up and down the stage floor while having your 15 seconds of fame? Madaling trabaho nga naman.
You can make fun of them, poke fun at these contestants, have half naked women gyrate to every single drum and bass beat to the simple catchy tunes you play in the background. Hell, you can have your half hour to an hour's worth of tirade and phone calls to erstwhile friends on air - I really don't care. Sabi ko nga, kung sino ang may hawak ng mikropono ay siyang may kapangyarihan. That is, until the audio guy cuts your mike off. Hey, do whatever you want to do in the name of ratings and whatever justification you can conjure up. I just don't like it when you start bringing in kids into the mix.
I read somewhere that we are all judged as a civilization on how we treat the smallest of all creatures. We are judged on how we treat our children and all children for that matter. When you force a child who is CLEARLY uncomfortable with what he/she is doing, then no justification can ever suffice. You just end up looking like a bigger asshole than what you already are. When the production team behind the show allows this to happen to a child on live national television, no explanation can every justify the shameful act. When the network in which the show airs at keeps its silence about the matter and shrug it off as just "showbiz", it's downright criminal. You just taught a child the basics of prostitution - "Do this and you get money to bring home to your parents". Brilliant. absolutely brilliant. (In case you missed it, that was sarcastic)
What is MTRCB doing about this? Will the DSWD say anything? *scoff and sigh* Honga pala, money talks. Sorry, nakalimutan ko.
I'd rather be where I am - a D-list actress who takes taxis, buses and jeepneys; a support actress with no fanbase, but I'm good with myself in knowing that I treat EVERY SINGLE PERSON as a PERSON. Sa iyo na ang pera, endorsements, mansion at yacht mo. Di yan madadala sa afterlife at lalong di yan magiging batayan kung ikaw ba ay papasok sa Utopia.
Update: As of 5:11 PM, I have received this link that shows the full press release of DSWD regarding "Janjan", the 6 year old contestant on Willing Willie.
IMHO, they really should persecute to the full extent of the law - not just Willie but the staff, the producers and the station.
Eat Bulaga is an institution in the noontime show niche. They've come a long way from being just a variety show. Although there are times that they leave a bad taste in my mouth (such as the innuendos JDL often gives) I still respect them because of the human stories they try to show the people. They help people who need it without exploiting them. Sometimes, they go a bit over the top with the drama but I understand it completely. After all, it's still television.
Now, although Willing Willie is not in the noontime show category, it does have the same formula as its predecessor did (Wowowee). They have the games, the mini variety show and the money that's being given away. People watch the show in the studio for a chance to get a spot at the games and bring home some money. Again, I understand that. who wouldn't want to bring home at least 5 thousand pesos just by jumping up and down the stage floor while having your 15 seconds of fame? Madaling trabaho nga naman.
You can make fun of them, poke fun at these contestants, have half naked women gyrate to every single drum and bass beat to the simple catchy tunes you play in the background. Hell, you can have your half hour to an hour's worth of tirade and phone calls to erstwhile friends on air - I really don't care. Sabi ko nga, kung sino ang may hawak ng mikropono ay siyang may kapangyarihan. That is, until the audio guy cuts your mike off. Hey, do whatever you want to do in the name of ratings and whatever justification you can conjure up. I just don't like it when you start bringing in kids into the mix.
I read somewhere that we are all judged as a civilization on how we treat the smallest of all creatures. We are judged on how we treat our children and all children for that matter. When you force a child who is CLEARLY uncomfortable with what he/she is doing, then no justification can ever suffice. You just end up looking like a bigger asshole than what you already are. When the production team behind the show allows this to happen to a child on live national television, no explanation can every justify the shameful act. When the network in which the show airs at keeps its silence about the matter and shrug it off as just "showbiz", it's downright criminal. You just taught a child the basics of prostitution - "Do this and you get money to bring home to your parents". Brilliant. absolutely brilliant. (In case you missed it, that was sarcastic)
What is MTRCB doing about this? Will the DSWD say anything? *scoff and sigh* Honga pala, money talks. Sorry, nakalimutan ko.
I'd rather be where I am - a D-list actress who takes taxis, buses and jeepneys; a support actress with no fanbase, but I'm good with myself in knowing that I treat EVERY SINGLE PERSON as a PERSON. Sa iyo na ang pera, endorsements, mansion at yacht mo. Di yan madadala sa afterlife at lalong di yan magiging batayan kung ikaw ba ay papasok sa Utopia.
Update: As of 5:11 PM, I have received this link that shows the full press release of DSWD regarding "Janjan", the 6 year old contestant on Willing Willie.
IMHO, they really should persecute to the full extent of the law - not just Willie but the staff, the producers and the station.
