5 Reasons Why I Think We Should Boycott The Local Mainstream Media Altogether

boycott_philippine_media

Look, I know I’ve always been a staunch opponent of the local media and that I wail at it whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself. In fact, over the years, I think I’m becoming tiring and redundant when it comes to bashing the local media. However, I’m going to have to apologize to all of you in advance because that is exactly what I’m going to do again. Truth is, I’ve honestly had enough of all the garbage the local media has been trying to shove in my and everyone else’s face as of late and that losing them won’t just be harmless for the Philippines, as we have access to foreign news which is unsurprisingly more accurate than local sources, but it may prove to be a huge benefit to the Filipino people in the long run.

Here are my reasons for why:

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It Promotes Selfishness

I remember mentioning that selfishness is probably one of the chief causes of great evil in this world. I actually just picked up the idea from Stephen King’s Revival but I’m not taking that back. Truth be told, it rings true in our society what with its almost innate dysfunctions which are almost downright impossible to get rid of altogether.

Of course, the local media tries to keep up the facade that it’s actually a wholesome enterprise and that it cares greatly for the welfare of its viewers and blah blah blah…

However, upon closer inspection of its contents, one will notice the following:

  • Love stories are less about people having a deep sense of trust for one another and are instead driven by an obsession with each another, which in real life is never healthy.
  • Action movies are more about revenge killing rather than any sense of justice and, while many foreign action films are similar in some ways, they nonetheless present other interesting and better themes as well.
  • Drama shows are more about getting what one wants like wealth, fame or power through easy and simply ways instead of showing that they are things one works hard for and that cooperation with others is essential.

It Promotes Immorality

Tying in with the above, the local media tends to promote immorality to viewers in a very subtle way. Again, it likes to hide behind a facade of wholesomeness but if one were to take close inspection of its shows, it slowly becomes obvious that something is amiss in their programming. Heck, they even have the so-called MTRCB who supposedly  keeps the media wholesome with shows that are readily consumable for general audiences even though they are anything but.

Here’s something I often find in garden-variety supposedly “wholesome” shows:

  • Children behaving like adults and forming romantic relationships often against the wishes of their parents.
  • Risque and suggestive imagery and heavy sexual implications can be found in many noontime shows.
  • Themes of revenge are very common and it seems to be the only thing a lot of characters live for.

It Promotes Narcissism

The problem with the local media is that they tend to put too much into the heads of public figures they like. Of course, if they don’t like you, they’ll probably vilify and demonize you, just like what they’re doing to President Duterte right now by the way. Anyway, if they like you, they’ll make you their untouchable king or queen. In fact, they will go out of their way to attack anyone who questions you and your actions no matter how questionable it may seem.

To make things short, if the media likes you, they will sell to you the idea that you are some kind of demigod even though you are most certainly aren’t.

It Promotes Idolatry

This is probably the main reason I bash the media in the first place and why I’m not going to stop anytime soon. Thing is, there’s really nothing wrong with admiring or liking someone who’s famous or popular, but to outright worship them as ideal figures is a different story entirely. What the media does is make its viewers believe that a given public figure is somehow a divinity who can never go wrong and is better than everyone else.

It’s why we have people like Manny Pacquiao, Bong Revilla Jr., Tito Sotto and Lito Lapid in the senate who very clearly do not belong in their positions. The media has led us to believe that these people are somehow “holy” and that we should somehow laud them as divine entities of some kind. While some of the individuals mentioned might be talented in their respected field but, if one inspects their track records closely, one can surmise that they are clearly not cut out for being politicians at all.

Unfortunately, that’s not what the local media is showing us.

If anything, the media continues to promote these people as if they are somehow the heroes who will rescue the Philippines from its problems. It’s quite rare for them to show that one should solve one’s own problems instead of relying too much on “superheroes” who will fix everything for them with them not needing to lift a finger.

They Are A Source Of Misinformation And Misguidance

Combining with all four elements I’ve already mentioned, this is through and through the biggest reason we should stop supporting the local media altogether. They have so little to offer their viewers in terms of actual information and only serve to kill the brain cells of the people unfortunate enough to be watching their programs. If anything, they just serve to make the common people overly emotional and depend too much on all too often misplaced feelings rather than logical thinking and focusing on practical solutions for their problems.

There was a time when the local media could at least be trusted when they still had educational programs that could educate young viewers but I’m afraid that time is long gone now that just about everything has been inter-spliced with crappy teleserye elements…

73 Replies to “5 Reasons Why I Think We Should Boycott The Local Mainstream Media Altogether”

  1. Perceived perception, misguided conception.

    That’s how we see the Failippines local media which is reflective on the country’s state since time immemorial.

  2. Also their horrible quality teleseryes promotes the black and white mentality in which either one is very good or very bad and no one is a combination of both. Which makes people think that if you do something bad (regardless how bad) you are automatically a bad person and the same can be said if you do something good (even if it’s extremely little).

  3. I do get very confused by the use and by the term ‘local media’. In my neck of the woods we use the term(s): local media, regional media (sometimes also provincial media) and national media (or if you will: domestic media). Between and among those 3 there is a huge difference.

    Local media (certainly before the internet era started) was not available on the other side of the country; this also applies for regional media. National media can be received all over the country. Be it TV, radio and/or newspapers. Now with the internet everywhere available, a local newspaper can even be read from abroad.

    BUT the main difference even today is that a local newspaper has a complete different focus compared to say a national newspaper. The focus for a local newspaper is focuses on the local news (city news, city sports, city politics, city arts) and in smaller articles you can read the national big issues.

    Pls use the term ‘local media’ appropriately.

    I am quite sure you are not refering to ‘the Tacloban Post’ or the ‘Tacloban Radio AM’

    1. What the writer might have intended to imply by saying “local” in this context are media sources that dominate broadcasting by permeating and being readily accessible to most regions in the country almost to the point of being exclusive..

      1. Klara,
        now, we will never know his intentions.

        So he could have written instead:

        ‘Five reasons why I think we should boycott all Philippine media altogether’.

        And maybe he could talk us through media that are acceptable to follow. Or maybe even better, Mr. Grimwald himself should start buying shares of media outlets so he can change them himself. Only those in power can change things. Writing about it wont change a damn thing. It needs action to change something.

        Do you want change?
        Do you want to change?

        1. I’m going to have to put you in the same category as TheVoiceofReason, Robert Haighton: lost and no grasp of reality.

        2. Atea,
          you do believe me when I say I like you. I really do.

          But more importantly, do you mnd that I totally ignore your shallow commentary?

        3. I like you, too, Robert Haighton, because I believe you’re sincere about being a part of the Filipino culture.

          However, like TheVoiceofReason, you need to stop opening doors and windows of “what ifs” scenarios on how things are, or should be, on the reality of life in the Philippines–to avoid confusing other readers who are not that familiar with what’s really going on in the country–and to keep yourself from looking bad and receiving harsh criticism from those who really knows what’s going on.

          That’s all I’m saying.

        4. Dear Aeta,
          I know what you are saying very well.

          I just regard Mr. Grimwald as not the smartest of the bunch. He doesnt understand the concept that I have a product (media outlet) that sells and sells.
          As owner of a media outlet (or any other product and service) all I have to do is satisfy my share holders (shares-dividend, cash-dividend).

          I will only change my own format (as owner or editor) when my sales will start to crumble. And you know what? The actual readers, viewers are in power bec they determine the success (sales) of my outlet.

          In short: Mr. Grimwald’s cry (to boycott) is indeed right and correct (as shown above by me. The readers/viewers are in power). But the viewers like what they are shown on TV. They eat it.

          My country is not different compared to yours. Only we dont cry about it. Nobody (in my country) is telling/ordering to change my viewing habit. Why? Because there are TV programs for dumb people and there are different, other TV programs for more educated people. Those who are low educated dont understand those programs for the higher educated.

          Different markets – different products.

          This concept (diff markets – diff products is old) is something Mr. Grimwald should and must know.

        5. Robert Haighton,

          I don’t agree with everything that Grimwald had to say either–especially when wrote an article about “Humility” in which I praised him for–but failed to speak up to defend what he wrote, especially when I butted heads with zaxx on his stance to defend the Chinese on their monopolization of the country. Grimwald just kept his mouth shut throughout the whole exchange between me and zaxx. Thus, making me question his (Grimwald’s) real stance on anything about the Philippines.

          That was a big disappointed on Grimwald’s part for me, and I’ve lost faith on the sincerity of his article from that point forward and reinforced my doubts about zaxx on which side he’s really on and trying to protect—the Chinese or the Filipinos.

          Anyway, I know you’re a smart guy and mean well; and, to cite an old Tony Benenett song (I’ve left my heart in San Francisco), I also believe you’ve left your own heart in the Philippines with your former love.

          My suggestion to you, in order to become more knowledgeable about the country and what really makes the Filipino mind tick, just ask or ride along with commenters exchanging (sometimes arguing) diatribes on specific topics about the Philippines, without throwing a different angle (a monkey wrench) that will break the rhythm of the conversation and to throw everybody off course to the point of irritation.

          Riding along or asking questions (I’d hold off on taking sides until you feel you’re good and ready) is the best way to learn about the country and its people. Try not to read too much about the country, because the information is usually incomplete or biased.

          Just get the feel for what the people have to say and, along with your own experience in the Philippine and some common sense about human nature, you’ll be ready to discuss anything about the country and its people.

          I hope you’ll consider my suggestion and good luck to you. Regards.

          Aeta

        6. Aeta,
          Thanks for the enlightemment. (I am serious and genuine and not sarcastic).

          Off topic (but with references you made):
          I get the overall sentiment that writyers like Grimwald, Zaxx, ChinoF and Add all want the same => They want every Filipino to think exactly the same way they think and behave with a focus on morality, ethics, anti-idolizing and god (aka religion).

          The issues mentioned (ethics, morality and god) doesnt give any solutions for solving problems bec all 3 are fixed and not flexible and thus not practical to follow. All 3 also dont give me more than 1 choice to choose from. Its either one or the high way.

          Therefore and in short, I accusse them of being single and narrow mindedness. They are unable to look outside the box. And that irritates me. I really think all of them (and me) all want the same thing for the Philippines. To thrive, improve, progress and being able to leave that label of being a poor 3rd world country.

          At the end of the day, if people dont want to change then thats fine with me. Just dont start crying me a river and stop asking help from foreigners (Yolanda typhoon).

          And Grimwald is really crying here. He wants me to stop reading/viewing PH media, but he fails to give me an alternative.
          So his suggestions are really stupid and dumb.

          Grimwald forgets that he needs to work hard to acccomplish change. So far, he accomplished nothing.

          And he certainly has no idea and no clue what makes his own people tick and what makes people – in general – tick.

        7. Robert, I fully understand and support your concern on language precision… But on our side of the world, most local stations are also owned by big corporate media, so can you imagine the practically loose distinction between local and national media for us? You’re probably aware of some similar media setup in your place.

        8. Klara,
          “You’re probably aware of some similar media setup in your place.”

          Negative.

          Big media outlets are not at all interested in owning small fish.
          The local TV channels are there for one purpose only and thats to ‘serve’ the local audience with local news, local sports, local art, local politics. (Things you wont see/hear/read in/on national TV channels, national newspapers and national radio stations).

          And even if the big fish want to own the small fish, our national government will see to it that it wont happen. The government needs to okay the purchase/merger/management-buy-out. Why? Because so that NOT a monopoly starts to exist.

          What a big fish can do, is to start its own small fish (local TV company; local radio station, local newspaper). But in that case, I am sure the NATIONAL government will not approve that.

        9. Well, there you go. it’s what we have here, unfortunately. National Mouthpiece the same as the local mouthpiece…

        10. Klara,
          So what you are saying is:
          National media = regional media = local media?

          Wow, thats very costly and very impractical.
          No diversity and a lot of monopolies.

          So the local Davao newspaper prints exactly the same stories and reports as the Ceby City local newspaper?

          Two different markets needs 2 different products.

          When I live and work in Cebu City, I am totally not interested in stories about Davao (and vice versa).

        11. I think what Grimwald means is local as in local (Philippine) vs. importded (foreign). Simple as that. You can’t expect european terms to apply the same way they do here…

        12. Tani,
          so when Grimwald writes about a ‘girl’, I should actually read it as if he writes about a ‘boy’, bec that are the Philippine rules?

          Quite bizarre.

        13. exactly not only abs -cbn but the rest of the channel promotes stupidity, as something good. Its good to act stupid sometimes for fun XD purposes and entertainment but people are mislead because we see it everyday on television.

        14. Kairan,
          how come that so many people in your country take TV (and media) so seriously? What about fact-checking?
          It seems to me that PH media is religion 2.0 in your country; a new addiction; indoctrination?

          If I knew all this 20-30 years ago, I would have started a media conglomerate in PH and get filthy rich over there.

    2. Even those local radio stations, if you’re saying provincial stations, and newspapers and other ‘local media’ are owned by politicians. Our own blogger Paul Farol told me this, but you can do your homework, and find that this is true.

        1. Chino,
          Thanks for the link. I read the article.

          All I can say is this: in my neck of the woods, the total media landscape works differently. Plus the dutch audience wouldnt accept it if it would work Filipino style.
          In my country, you can even buy shares of newspapers (and thus own it partially).
          Newspapers are independent and are not run by big families.
          We have quality newspapers (like the Guardian) and we have ‘tabloids’ (different markets, different products).
          The objective of a newspaper/TV network/radio stations/magazines is to inform (not to educate. You want to be educated, then you go to school).

          When I will stop/seize trusting my own newspaper (about what it prints), I will stop reading it and stop buying a copy of it. So end of the day, I (as consumer) decide and I am in power.

          Why is it different in my country compared to your country? I think because we consumers are far more critical. Which is part of how parents raise their kids.

          So lets blame the parents shall we.

          If I would own a PH newspaper, I would probably done the same as it happens today. Its probably the only way to stay alive as newspaper (making a profit, share holders).

  4. ABS-CBN needs to go. The Lopezes are die-hard supporters of the “Bamboo Network” of the Yellow Party, in spite of their open criticism of the Aquinos and pretentious support of the Duterte administration.

    The Lopezes–along with Ayala-Zobel (Ayala Corporation), Felipe Gozon, (GMA), Henry Sy (SM Malls), and John Gokongwei (Robinson Malls) were the people behind the EDSA revolution and subsequent removal of Marcos in 1986, because he kept them from monopolizing the media and the economy.

    From 1986 to the present, ABS-CBN and GMA have done nothing but brainwashed the Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs) and Filipino expats all over the world, with their “Proud To Be a Filipino” and “Pinoy Pride” campaign, through “The Filipino Channel” (TFC) international television programs, and deluding the Filipinos into dreaming that they, too, can lead the aristocratic lifestyles of their favorite “mestizo” celebrities someday if they keep doing what they’re doing.

    These media oligarchs also brainwashed the Filipinos around the globe by selling them on the idea that they would be helping the economy if they invested their “remittance monies” in Philippine properties–by buying properties from Ayala Corporation and other real estate developers–and by shopping at the growing numbers of SM and Robinson malls throughout the country.

    The following is what the Yellow Party members have done–besides enriching themselves–with their brainwashing campaign:

    1.Drove the real estate prices up that made it nearly impossible for the local population to afford a home.

    2. Destroyed the local “cottage” industry of Filipino-owned businesses that could not compete with growing number of Chinese-owned businesses coming from overseas.

    3. Destroyed a once-productive agricultural industry by turning farmland into concrete wasteland of factories, housing subdivisions, condominiums, hotels and resorts, and shopping malls,

    4. Raised the cost of living–through the growing consumer mentality of Filipinos from “remittance monies” from their relatives overseas–that made it nearly impossible for the poorer sectors of the population to keep up with, unless the country-bound Filipinos become OFWs, turn to a life of crime like sell drugs or other illegal activities, or scam their own countrymen just to survive.

    5. Destroyed the our natural resources of virgin forest and raw land with over-commercialization and over-development.

    6. Polluted our environment (soil, ground water, and air) with unregulated factory waste dumping and violation of zoning laws.

    In summary, the Yellow Party members did not help build a solid economic infrastructure for the Philippines in the last 30 years. Instead, what the Yellow Party has done is create a “Feudalistic Society,” in which its members became the lords (oligarchs) and the Filipino people their peasants (serfs).

    This is why ABS-CBN, and other Yellow Party organizations, has to go. They’ve helped fuck up their country, and their own people, with their selfish motives.

  5. It promotes shallow thinking.
    It promotes partisanship.
    It promotes blind gossiping.
    It promotes pinoy pride for the wrong reasons.

  6. Media like the ABS-CBN is the propaganda machine of Aquino and his cahoots.

    See how they had hidden the Shabu drug problem? They did not touch anything about the proliferation of the Shabu drugs; the Drug Lords; the Drug Traffickers; the Chinese Drug Mafia, etc…to protect the good image of Aquino and his cahoots , during his term…

    The Shabu problem only came out, when Pres. Duterte, became the President !

    1. Exactly! ABS-CBN is so deep in shit with the Chinese connections that it had to play “see no evil, hear no evil” in order to keep its position as the nation’s premier media source.

      This station has done nothing but delude Filipinos throughout the world that the Philippines is moving forward. Nothing could be further from the truth.

      ABS-CBN is a remnant of the Yellow Party, a symbol of aristocratic oligarchy for the past 30 years, and it has to go.

  7. You forgot to mention the type of humor local media presents to the masses. Sobrang mababaw. Sobrang mapanlait, pero balat sibuyas naman kapag pinuna tayo ng mga dayuhan.

    And those stupid phrases like “Edi Wow” and “Pak Ganern” entering the kids’ vocabularies…

    But the bigger question is, how could we effectively influence others to boycott the stupid mainstream local media, if majority of the households only have access to those channels? In outer NCR puro 2,5,7 lang ang maayos ang signal. How about the millions of rural viewers?

    1. What really pisses me off with ABS-CBN is how they keep trying to glamorize the Filipino lives in their “teleserye” dramas, by having these actors milling around in their houses–or in public–in expensive suits and dresses, tons of makeup on the women’s faces, and expensive jewelries adorning their bodies. (Just where the hell do we see that kind of shit in our daily lives in the country?)

      Hell, if the thugs in the street of Manila see these “cheesy” actors and actresses walking around in this kind of get ups, they will quickly fall in the “victim” category.

      Another ABS-CBN bulllshit that turns my stomach is how it condescendingly try to distort the looks of the Filipino people with “mestizo” actors/actresses imported from other countries, to re-define or raise the bar on how we Filipinos (especially the younger generation) see beauty, which no longer the reflection of our “Kayumanggi” features.

      Instead, what we Filipinos used to call “Black Beauty” (dark skin tone) has been replaced by the lighter skin tone, with sharp feature similar to those of South American or Arabic people. (Just look at who represented our country in the last two Miss Universe pageants.)

      This brainwashing scheme of how Filipinos should see themselves today ruined it for many of our local “kayunmanggi” talents, who have to settle for “second string” or “backseat” role to the imported mestizo talents (or lack of talent), who got their acting breaks on looks alone.

      ABS-CBN’s owners are such aristocratic people, like the Ayala-Zobels, who think they’re above the rest of us because of their looks and status.

  8. Philippines has the most dumbed down corporate TV media of any country. Guess that matches the worst internet providers on earth. Both go hand in hand to keep the semi-literate population where the oligarchy wants them… sad thing is, the audience are so dumbed down, they are willing, ecstatic participants in this fraud.

  9. In short, basura na ang mga palabas ngayon. Ni wala na ngang kagaya ng Macgyver o Doogie Houser MD ngayon.

    Nasa magulang yan. Kung anong kinalakihan mong pinapanood ng magulang mo, mahahawa ka. Si tatay noon, news, puro news. Tapos magbabasa ng Readers Digest.

    Parang sa music lang din. Nabiktima muna ako ng Engelbert Humperdinck ni tatay bago ako nakatagpo ng Roxette or AfterImage.

    1. oh yeah, don’t you just miss the MacGyver opening theme?

      We could have had more people (or even physicists) with common sense (problem-solving skills) and excellent command of English if only we didn’t let go of shows like these?

      I guess Pinoy pride got the better of us: now it’s all just Pinoy drama, comedy, singing, and showbiz talk shows.

      Sooner or later they will be featuring Kris Aquino and interviewing her about the color of panty she wears. Who gives a damn??? Who cares? Nobody cares! Stop wasting the Filipino’s time, attention and brain cells!

      1. Oo naman. Alam ko pa yung opening theme! 🙂

        wala eh. Paglagpas ko ng grade 3 pumangit na talaga mga palabas. Kahit nga yung Buddy & Sol, maganda rin naman. Sumabay rin kasi yung media natin sa paglala ng US media. Although dahil nga sobrang mas limited yung mga channel na malalaki rito, nung sumagwa yung isa, wala na talaga. ‘Di tulad sa US kahit paano may cable at saka legit (sort of) news networks na may documentaries at iba pang makabuluhang palabas.

        Siguro kung magiging mas matalino na ang audience, kung bababa na ang rating ng mga teledrama at makita yun ng ABS at GMA, gagawa na rin sila ng mas may saysay na programa.

        Kailangan muna kasi talaga yung konsumer tumalino. So dapat mabawasan yung hindi nakapag-aral, yung mga tambay lang nagpapalaki ng…

  10. Media is there for profit and nothing else, if they can’t turn people into brainless zombies they would lose their patrons. We can’t rely on media to be truthful and responsible. Only thing society can do is to be more discerning on what is garbage and what is not.

  11. Your reasons are reasonable but it’s easier to be said than to be done to boycott the media. Therefore, the masses will justify “freedom of speech” and “free press”, it may be true.

    There are alternatives to boycott garbages on the tv:
    1. Turn off the tv.
    2. Watch sports.
    3. Read books(it is where real education is).

    1. I can do 1 out of 3 for our zombie population. I can’t make everybody turn off their televisions or get into sport; but I can certainly open up a bookstore in Zombieland. Who wants to go in on a bookstore venture with me to promote literacy in this book-dumb country?

      1. Since traffic is a problem in the Philippines, Instead of wasting time bickering how bad the traffic when your are caught in one. People can engage in book discussion to keep people from being idle, people can start using common sense. Revolution of the mind can start.

        1. Depends.

          If they can afford to let down their guard considering the current public safety (if there is any).

  12. Here’s a tip for President Duterte. If you want to control the minds of Filipinos, then hijack their media. Use the Jewish model:

    Six Jewish Companies Control 96% of the World’s Media!

    https://socioecohistory.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/six-jewish-companies-control-96-of-the-worlds-media/

    You know very well, and the stupid Americans know equally well, that we control their government, irrespective of who sits in the White House. You see, I know it and you know it that no American president can be in a position to challenge us even if we do the unthinkable. What can they (Americans) do to us? We control congress, we control the media, we control show biz, and we control everything in America. In America you can criticize God, but you can’t criticize Israel…

    – Israeli spokeswoman, Tzipora Menache

  13. I wonder why the writer deeply think that majority of the filipinos have poor critical thinking thus their choices and decisions in life were somewhat results of those “local media/s” propaganda, political dynasty, oligarchs,government corruption etc.. As if, they are not capable of knowing, rebuking or to refuse influence, to chart their own future or decide what they want to be or simply chose to stay where they are.

    Most of the writers in this site have the same pattern of thinking and belief about Filipino culture, trying to measure and label Filipinos mentality and conclude as if these are exclusive variables affecting the people and as a nation.

    That is the problem because believing that everything in this world can be understood, explained, patterned to certain standards and should be justify reflects one’s limitation. If that’s the normal of this world, then we are living with illusion. The future is unknown but illusionist think they know the future.

    I read almost of your articles here. Inputs are good, helpful, interesting and revealing at times but the common idea, tone and pattern ends with the notion that majority of the Filipinos are ignorant and inferior as if it is embedded to our being.

    1. I wonder why the writer deeply think that majority of the filipinos have poor critical thinking thus their choices and decisions in life were somewhat results of those “local media/s” propaganda, political dynasty, oligarchs,government corruption etc.. As if, they are not capable of knowing, rebuking or to refuse influence, to chart their own future or decide what they want to be or simply chose to stay where they are.

      See, the thing is, the current population of the Philippines workforce consist mainly of those who grew up watching these shows/propagandas. Several studies will tell you that what we learn as children will greatly reflect how we are in adulthood. If you grew up watching shows telling you that good humor is insulting another person, you’ll grow up with that kind of “humor”. Almost 90% of the people I’ve met have this kind of stupid humor. Kids grow up watching a financially poor but beautiful fair-skinned heroine find success in life by marrying a handsome and rich mestizo, how do you think these kids will grow up? There are families that when one of the daughters marry a “kano,” literally every member of the family stops working and just rely on the daughter to send them money from the kano’s paycheck.

      And those are just few of the thousands of problems that this country’s media create in our society. You could argue that adults should know what is right and what is wrong and that believing everything that the media shows you is immature. But it’s easier said than done considering those negative behavior/mindset were ingrained in our countrymen’s childhoods and it’s not that easy to shake it off. Yes, they decide their own future. But the decision they make in their lives are based from what was ingrained in their heads when they were little kids.

  14. As a commenter under my “TV in the Phils promotes Dysfunction” article said, the decision on what they air is really made by the executives and advertisers. Any new idea thought to not make money or that will challenge the status quo will be shot down. So the writers and producers are forced to repeat the same old whiney, false glamorizing, moocher-encouraging stuff that draws Filipinos who love sad stories (a columnist said this, Anna Marie Pamintuan I think). Because it should lead to the watchers buying the products advertised during the show, or else show might be killed. So it all boils down to consumerism, making sure the Filipinos buy stuff even if they can’t afford them.

    1. True that, ChinoF. Is why when you watch Pinoy TV nowadays there’s more advertisement than shows that uh well, even the shows also promote these advertisements and are not really constructive. Phil media is all for profit. How they inform, educate and yes, even entertain (that wholesome, intelligent and relaxing kind of entertainment, theirs are mostly moronic and dirty jokes) depends on what will give them control because well, they are oligarchy. But when you say consumerism, they just cater to Pinoys ignorance and low morality, isn’t it?

        1. Not suprising. OFW remittances is hitting a billion dollar mark and instead of using as capital for individual growth or engaged OFWs in community building, it was being leeched out of them. I have this notion before that the Public-Private Partnership Program would open doors for OFWs as business traders or investors for government projects or corporate triangle. I think the government should also think of how to protect and use these OFW resources to lower labor exports and engage returnees to be the backbone of the industry. A business-friendly setup could probably engage them.

        2. Its not being leached out.
          Easy money is easy spent.
          When people get free money that they do not uave to work for, they do not appreciate its value.
          All or most ofw recipients are just leeches in my opinion.
          Leeching off the hard work and sacrifice of others.
          Many of whom return to discover none of their hard earned cash has been put to good use or used to buy properties or investments they thought it was going towards.
          The narrative that ofws are national heroes is true to the business’s and governments that leech off them.
          The real story is a culture of indentured slaves being sent by their slave owners( u could call them families) to repay the cost of them being born…….tell me im wrong.

          Televisions job is to entertain. Its the “bread and circuses” of the modern age.
          If families want to educate their children then they need to man up and do so through good parenting and intellectually stimulating past times.
          This will never happen as, lets be honest. The parenting style here is do what i say…you owe me for being born, you pay me back for what i spent on you, you look after me now, thats your job.
          No individual needs are met, no pish for people to find their own life and meanng.
          Just give, give , give rinse and repeat through generation to generation.

        3. Thus, I believe that one important associated act along with boycotting the media would be boycotting the products advertised. Pressure should perhaps should be put on the companies as they make some decisions. I believe this is what some consumer advocates do in the US.

      1. If you dig deep enough, you’ll find that profit is not the real end game. As you mentioned and as a hint- ignorance and low morality.

        1. Klara, your comment reminds me of the book “1984” (something all Filipinos should read). At the end of the book where Winston is finally defeated, he finds out why the government does what it does. It’s not for profit, or because they think it’s all for some greater good: they do it because the power of doing evil things to others is enjoyable in itself.

          I’ve mentioned before that I can feel the presence of Satan strutting through the Philippines. The country is his playground; the people have invited him in. Non-religious people will sneer at this, but it’s a feeling I can’t shake off.

        2. Marius…evil is a man made concept as such is satan.
          While i do agree 1984 should be on every schools approved reading list( espically with so many marcos apologists trying to rewrite a twisted and untruthful version of history), i doubt in all honesty that satan has any hold on anyone.
          For starters most religious believers say god is all powerful.
          So if satan was allowed to run free and corrupt not just people but an entire nation it really contradicts the narrative of an all powerful and just God.

          To blame the culture( because thats what it is) on a fictional charcter of evil is to never address the real woes and problems here.
          Too many people think their lives will be fixed and sorted by faith and prayer.
          1984 is an amazing work of fiction but just like the bible, its just a story.

        3. VOR: this is probably not the place to go off on a tangent about religion, so I’ll be brief:

          Whether you believe in God or Satan is irrelevant. Those concepts are so deep-rooted in the human psyche that they as good as “real”. You must surely be aware that beliefs have powerful impacts on behaviour. Consider ISIS.

          If, for a moment, you accept that possibly there may be things that are on the limits of human detection or experience (perhaps you don’t “believe in” neutrinos or gravitational waves?), the existence of a “real” Satan would not in any way nullify or contradict the existence of an “all-powerful and just” God. In the Judaeo-Christian narrative, humans traded a life of trouble-free humdrum in Eden for one in which they had free will, ie., responsibility for and control over their own actions. God is not Santa Claus or the puppetmaster. Humans have free choice to either follow God, or Satan. A lot of Filipinos choose the latter, and the consequences are clear for all to see. As I said, it doesn’t matter whether you believe Satan is “real”. THEY believe in him. And perhaps he believes in them. Or you.

        4. ‘Humans have free choice to either follow god or satan’.

          There are people who follow neither bec for them neither does exist. It’s not a matter of either or.

        5. Robert: as I said, there are plenty of phenomena outside of direct, observable human experience. Some of them might be real and some of them might not … and it rather depends how you define “real”.

          If Nostradamus had predicted that in 2016 we’d all be using invisible waves of energy to talk to each other across vast distances, nobody would have taken it seriously. Are radio waves “real?”. Of course they are: but you choose to believe in them because, today, we can observe them (with radio receivers). They were just as real before radio receivers were invented. Are viruses “real”? 300 years ago everyone would have insisted there’s no such thing; today, you’d be called crazy if you denied their existence.

          Your beliefs are your own, but don’t be too confident about what you think you know.

        6. Marius,
          pls give me a break. Is that your defense: not seeing and seeing? Bec NOBODY sees god, he does exist bec we also cant see other things?

          Pls dont use that argument when you are about to write your university thesis in any Dutch university. They will ask you if you are/were drunk or on shabu.

          I dont believe in (a) god, I dont believe in a satan. I only believe in myself for the simple fact that I do exist and that I can see, touch, smell myself. And sometimes I do believe in chairs.

  15. It all boils down to “profit” and greed.That’s why I rarely watch local television channel. For local news I watch CNN PH and PTV.

  16. “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” remains undefeated on weekdays. “The Voice Kids” rules Weekends.

    http://www.starmometer.com/2016/08/09/national-tv-ratings-aug-5-7-2016-ang-probinsyano-and-the-voice-kids-are-most-watched-programs/

    I say we challenge all this non-sense by introducing…

    “Common Sense for Pinoys”
    (Debate between students on GRP-featured topics)

    This Week’s Hot Topic is “For the Philippines to become a Singapore-class State, Should Pinoys Boycott Local Mainstream Media?”

    Featuring Mapua vs. UST.
    Let’s all welcome our host… (please suggest)

    Don’t worry, there will still be a special dance or song No. as a breather.

    C’mon guys, this is such a LOW-COST minimal investment TV program. The biz model is like that of Facebook – the people make the content for you, while you rake in all the money from ads.

    “Eat Bulaga” and “It’s Showtime” – you are history!

  17. ABS-CBN and those propaganda media of Aquino and his cahoots, are given “incentives” in prostituting their networks, for Aquino and his cahoots. They get tax breaks…preferential treatments; etc…

    For the last 30 years, they have enriched themselves, beyond their wildest dreams, at the expense of the truth. They twisted the truth; hide the wrong doings; provided a diversionary venues for the political agendas of the Aquinos…

    1. But the yellow party have not been in power for 30 years.
      Or was gloria, estrada and fidel now yellow in your twisted version of history?

      1. But the yellow party have not been in power for 30 years.

        Nice TROLLING, son. It’s hilarious that you’ve exposed yourself.

      2. I just hope that you’re sarcastic. Because that IS a truth and not a lie. And it all started after 1986.

        Go figure.

      3. Fidel Ramos has his own agenda.

        Erap was tricked.

        Arroyo was a subject of hate and demonization from the Yellow Party when she tried to open the Hacienda Luisita case, which is prior to the Hacienda Luisita Massacre. And it all goes until 2010.

        But saying that the yellow party have not been in power for 30 years is a straight out lie and you know it. Not anymore since Duterte took over.

      4. Hey kid, didn’t you know that your country called the Failippines was sucked-screwed-fucked-shit-up since time immemorial???

        Reality in truth is such a bitch, ain’t it kid?

      5. “Or was gloria, estrada and fidel now yellow in your twisted version of history?

        Yes, NotraDumbass (TheVoiceofTreason)

      6. “Or was gloria, estrada and fidel now yellow in your twisted version of history?”

        Yes, NotraDumbass (TheVoiceofTreason)

      7. Yeah right pseudo moralist tell that to abias-cbn and other local yellow journalism who keeps on making failipinos like you stupid.

      8. “Or was gloria, estrada and fidel now yellow in your twisted version of history?”

        Yes, NostraDumbass (TheVoiceofTreason)

  18. I’m boycotting those asshole since I can remember. No local station will ever spread their excretory product across my TV screen.

    Furthermore, I’m boycotting any company who uses some of those retarded showbiz half-wits to promote their product. I don’t care what you sell, if you have Kris Aquino smiling from your ads you can shove your crap up your ass!

  19. They are now evenn twisting it up in History Channel, talk about “ninoy traitor aquino” as a cough cough hero sacrifing himself for their hacienda oops i meant Yellow Oligarch People oops i meant again Fillipino’s pun intended…

    It doesn’t even state he was a communist leader and rebel terrorist supporter who leaked alot of government plans…

    Even pinpointing though no proof or evidence it was Pres. F Marcos who enact his assasination and that 2 stupid aquino presidents weren’t able to solve it…

    This “Yellow Cult” really have lots of stolen Filipino Wealth to even now put their Yellow Biased Propaganda on History Channel…

    1. The History Channel is for the feeble minded and has nothing to do with history. It’s all about Aliens and some red-necks selling crap.

      Even their car shows are complete shit.
      The Count?
      What an ass-clown!

      Jesus!

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