Stars lament ABS-CBN shutdown
Tears fell from my eyes as the national anthem played before ABS-CBN went off air the night following the Cease and Desist Order served by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
I am one of those affected by the temporary shutdown due to the network’s franchise renewal issues. Minutes after the screen went black, I posted a photo of ABS-CBN logo on my social media accounts and used the hashtag “In the service of the Filipino.” I wasn’t the only talent who did that, saddened as we were by the turn of events that impacted the lives of thousands of Kapamilya employees and beyond.
In a Zoom meeting hosted by Boy Abunda and Bianca Gonzalez that streamed on the Facebook accounts of the stars few days later, TV host Kim Atienza tried to explain in layman’s terms why ABS-CBN was shut down so more people could understand the situation. He openly pled to House Speaker Alan Cayetano, “Sir, we know you are listening right now. You committed to ABS-CBN that you will do your job, that you will listen to the request of ABSCBN’s franchise to operate. We beg you, Speaker.”
Some of the Kapamilya stars who joined the meeting and expressed their feelings in strong terms over the matter were Bela Padilla, Coco Martin, and Kim Chiu. The meeting can still be seen online if you want to hear their full sentiments.
Actor Robin Padilla would later post a message on Instagram. I am using it in full in this column as it’s not just for ABS-CBN and the government, but for every Filipino.
“Ang nais natin ay pagbabago sa ABSCBN hindi ang pagsasara nito. Nasa panahon tayo ng humahagupit pa ang mata ng COVID-19 sa labas ng mga bahay natin at nagbabanta na makapasok at manalanta. Hindi po mainam na magtagal ang pagsasaayos ng franchise ng aming network. Ito ang oras. para harapin ito dahil kailangan ng information ng mga Pilipino sa buong mundo at lalong kailangan ng trabaho ng nasa industriya ng telebisyon at pelikula. Umpisahan na kagyat ang pagdinig dito at unahin harapin ang mga dapat baguhin.
“Mga kababayan, nasa peligro ang bawat buhay ng Pilipino at ang economia ng bansa. Naniniwala ako na ang lahat ngayon ay bukas sa pagbabago at handang sumunod sa kung ano ang dapat maitawid lang nating lahat sa pagsubok at makaahon ang Inang Bayang Pilipinas,”his message read in part.
(Photos from Instagram)