Kathryn Bernardo belatedly speaks up on ABS-CBN shutdown
Explains she had ‘traumatic’ experience when she took sides in politics
ABS-CBN superstar Kathryn Bernardo posted an Instagram TV video on Wednesday, belatedly airing her sentiments on the ABS-CBN shutdown on May 5.
The actress has consistently but quietly taken part in network campaigns relating to the franchise renewal and her post was the first time she shared her thoughts on the issue.
“After a week of thinking, I shot this last night as a response to the shutdown. Right now, thankfully, Speaker Cayetano files a bill granting ABS- CBN provisional authority. Here’s to hoping things get better from here,” Bernardo wrote in the caption.
As of this writing, the emotional eightminute video already amassed 1.5 million views. Bernardo began by explaining why she chose to remain silent all this time, owing to a “traumatic” experience she had when she aired her views on a political issue in the past.
“Alam ko po marami sa inyo may alam na matagal ko pong piniling manahimik. Bakit? Kasi kagaya po ng iba sa inyo, natakot po ako. Kasi nung huling beses na ginamit ko yung platform ko sa usaping pulitika, hindi naging maganda yung nangyari. Naging traumatic po yung experience ko nun kagaya po ng nararanasan ngayon ng ibang mga artista na nagsalita.”
The 24-year-old actress did not go into specifics but most can remember that she and her boyfriend Daniel Padilla actively endorsed Mar Roxas for president in 2016. Their campaign ad where Padilla brazenly said, “Marami kasi nagmamagaling sa eleksyon, hindi naman botante, so shut up ka na,” generally drew negative reactions. “Ang dami pong pag-atake, ang daming sinabi hindi lang sa ‘kin pero pati pamilya ko. Kaya sinabi ko po nun sa sarili ko na yun na yung huling beses na magsasalita ako sa ganung usapin kasi ayoko nang maulit yun,” Bernardo furthered. Philippine Movie’s erstwhile Teen Queen then went on to say she broke her vow to use her platform and speak up for those in ABS-CBN who are most affected by the shutdown but have no way of making their sentiments known.
“Kahit walang kasiguraduhan na marinig ‘to, at least may ginawa ako,” Bernardo added.
Acknowledging the privilege of pursuing her career with the network for the last 17 years, she said it is her responsibility to stand up for employees who rely on ABS- CBN as well as her fans who depend on the station for free information and entertainment.
“Hindi namin kaya makita ang mga tao na nahihirapan, na umiiyak, na hindi alam kung ano na mangyayari sa kanila.
“Kaya nandito po kami kasi responsibilidad namin makaramdam para maging boses ng taong hindi mapakinggan. Kasi kung hindi kami magsasalita, sino ang magsasalita para sa kanila?”
She also recalled her immersion with Overseas Filipino Workers in Hong Kong when she shot the 2019 blockbuster movie “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” and portrayed the role of a domestic helper named Joy. She acknowledged how a scene in the film has been making rounds on social media since the beginning of the community quarantine, where she uttered the line, “Ang choice para lang sa may pera.” “Nakakalungkot man isipin, totoo yung sinabi [ ni Joy.] Hindi lahat kasing swerte natin. Tapos ngayon sa pagka- shutdown ng ABS-CBN, mas binawasan pa natin yung pagpipilian ng mga kababayan natin.”
Zooming in on the Covid-19 pandemic, Bernardo echoed what many others had said that NTC’s Cease and Desist Order has deprived countless Filipinos of important information amid the crisis as well as the means to relieve themselves of the pressures and problems the lockdown has caused.
“Paano po sila makakakuha ng update sa nangyayari sa mundo, sa Pilipinas? Sa hinaharap po natin ngayon, alam natin kung gaano kahirap yung pinagdadaanan ng lahat. Na yung tanging nagpapasaya sa kanila ay yung libangan nila sa panonood, pati po yun naalis sa kanila.”
Without naming names, she then called on those in position and the discerning public to be more compassionate.
“Ito yung panahon na dapat wala tayong mapag-iwanan na Pilipino. Ito yung panahon na dapat magtulong-tulong tayo. Kaya nananawagan ako sa mga taong may
access sa impormasyon sana alamin natin kung ano yung nangyayari. Alamin natin kung bakit natin pinaglalaban ‘to, kung bakit namin paulit-ulit sinasabi na walang nilabag na batas ang ABS. Ipaintindi sa iba kung saan kami nanggagaling.
“Sana matuto tayo makaramdam para sa 11,000 emplyado na nanganganib mawalan ng trabaho. Matuto tayo makaramdam sa ilang milyong Pilipino na nawalan ng libreng access sa impormasyon at libangan. Wag na po natin palalain ang
inequality. Ang choice, hindi lang dapat sa may pera. Magtulungan tayo.”
Finally, she rallied her fanbase "the Filipino youth," to speak out wherever there is injustice.
“Sana wag kayong matakot kasi kagaya niyo din ako, natakot ako. Pero kung hindi kasi tayo magsasalita ngayon, sino? Tayo ang magmamana ng Pilipinas kaya may karapatan tayo. Samahan niyo po kami magdasal na sana maging okay na lahat, sana matapos na ang lahat ng ‘to, at sana maayos lahat sa tamang proseso at mapagusapan nang maayos.”