Exploit Them Not

Last week one of my friends in Singapore pointed me out to a Youtube video of a little boy dancing like an exotic dancer (watch it here at 5:00). I was shocked. I felt cold all over and wanted to berate his parents. I wanted to take action, but I was pressed for time so I thought I'd tweet about it and ping my fellow online mommies. So I did. I then became so busy over the weekend and only got the chance to see updates today and so I saw Noemi's letter to MVP and DSWD's statement and TV5's apology. I'm sure my Dad would be happy to see how one tiny protest tweet went a long way.

What's done is done and hopefully the little boy won't be traumatized over the incident. What is disturbing though is the values we are showing on TV. Inasmuch as TV5 and the show producers are saying that they did not mean for it to happen and that the child was allowed by his parents to come out on TV, it should have been instinctive on the part of the host and the producer to stop what he was doing.

I never really understood why some local shows are based on awa and poverty. It doesn't really help in creating a right mindset in re-building our nation/economy. People just end up hoping that they would win a contest as their ticket to have a good life. It breeds laziness. And the child was used as an instrument to get money. That's a double whammy. I believe there are other creative ways to entertain and to help. What I saw in that video is exploitation.

Some would probably say I'm being a prude and should just see it as harmless fun. Pasensya na, but that's not what I learned from my parents. I was given dignity and respect as a child and I've done the same with my son. I hope it's not too much to ask these show producers to review what they are doing vis-a-vis proper values (check your GMRC). They have so much influence on so many people, so a little effort to uplift our nation/economy in a creative way would go a long, long way.

“Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and never succeed. (Proverbs 12:24)”

You might also want to read my Dad's thoughts about Moral Discipline.

The Telenovela Roll

During the times that I do watch TV I watch telenovelas too and when I got sick the only thing you can just do is watch TV. 

My favorite TV channels are ABS-CBN, Discovery Channel, National Geographic and Myx. I left Miguel control the remote more often than not and just watch what he watches. He doesn't watch telenovelas though and would rather sit in front of the PC to watch Youtube videos or study apps by following tutorials.

So the past few nights I thought about writing a blog post about the telenovelas I've been watching (and have decided not to watch). I'm bad at remembering TV channels so I'm usually stuck on ABS-CBN after dinner.

Telenovelas are a lot like sushi, don't you think? They come in different flavors:

1. Dyosa - I didn't like Dyosa when it started, but eventually the story kinda changed and it became charming. My Mom though said that she doesn't understand why people just keep getting kidnapped or zapped every other day. 

2. I Love Betty La Fea - I'm a fan of John Lloyd, `nuff said. 

3. Kahit Isang Saglit - Best storyline and I think well done. Goes to show that when there's pressure to do really well we can do it. 

4. Eva Fonda - Christine Reyes is very pretty and sexy indeed, the show though for me is very violent and too sensual to be shown on primetime bida. So I just usually change the channel when this comes up. (If you're a fan, I'm so sorry, but that's just my opinion).

5. There's was this Korean soap that was a no-brainer, I think it was "Three Dad's and a Mom" or something. It was funny and when I say it's a no-brainer, I mean it's a show that you can just watch and laugh because of the engot things they do. 

Pinoy Fear Factor is not a telenovela, but looks like one coz there's drama to it compared to it's foreign versions. I guess this is so coz they're stretching it to fit a whole week. I also find it weird they decided to use many Spanish words. 

Well, this is what happens when your movements are limited. LOL.