Calling, DOLE & DSWD (ABS CBN’s Palimos ng Pag-Ibig)
Posted on March 26, 2007
Filed Under LIFE, Reviews | Viewed 2833 times
For a few days now, I have been catching some episodes of the TV series, Palimos ng Pag-Ibig (translated in English, something like Begging for Love) which my mom and our household helper watch before the news. As a backgrounder, Deither Ocampo (playing the role of Rodel) hires a babymaker, Kristine Hermosa (playing the role of Ditas) since his wife, Rica (playing the role of Vina) is infertile. The baby is brought home by Rodel, to Vina who is full of hatred with the developments. Well, who would not?
In front of this little boy the couple, Rodel and Vina quarrels many times. The little boy is more of a baby than a little boy—looks to me like he is less than a year old. Vina continuously maltreats him. Brimming in hatred, she confronts the little boy for seemingly small mistakes, shout at him, who COWERS IN FEAR. And the nation watches the little boy CRY, WHINE AND WHIMPER. And HE IS NOT EVEN ACTING. HE IS CRYING FOR REAL! HIS FEAR IS FOR REAL! Particularly with how effective Rica is in her acting.
I feel revulsion on how this baby is treated. This baby is not even mine, but I seethe in anger. For a few days now I have been bothered. I felt something has to be done about it. If his mother could not come in his defense, somebody should!
So, I call on DOLE and DWSD, on behalf of this little boy, to act immediately. To stop it all. Maybe, it’s too late already. Maybe taping is already over, as the series now moves to its new twist. It is not yet too late for this baby. The authorities (DOLE or DWSD) can still send someone to investigate the effect of the past events on the little boy. The authorities can still counsel the family, if necessary, to correct the mistakes. And for the sake of the other babies and children who will come in as actors and actresses, DOLE should excercise additional caution before issuing the permits.
At the same time I pose the following questions:
- In approving the participation of children, or babies for that matter, does the authority issuing the permits look at the script?
- Do you think a baby this small would understand that it is all in the spirit of acting? Can parents or those involved in the filming of the series make a baby this small understand?
- Will the baby not be traumatized? scarred? what effect would this have in his growing up years?
- What mother would allow her child to undergo such trauma in exchange for money? Or perhaps the mother feels it is all right.
I am not a child psychologist, I am not a professional on this matter, but I am foremost a mother. As a mother, I know what will be damaging to a child. While my children were growing, I would at the slightest provocation, come to their defense, as they were defenseless. Not that I didn’t like to prepare my small children for the harsh realities of life, but because at certain stages in their lives, they were defenseless. As growing up children, they need a lot of tender loving care.
Someone has to come in defense of this little boy. If his mother can’t, DOLE or DWSD should intervene.
And ABS CBN better fulfill its moral obligation, not only to its viewers but to its talents as well.
Thank you, Carol, of Carolfinds.blogspot.com who has called my attention (through Pinoy Moms Network, where I also write), that it is DOLE, not DWSD who issues permits. She said, “On television and in the advertising industry, it is the DOLE that protects the welfare of child talents like this boy. A work permit is issued to these children through their talent agents, and it stipulates that the child can only work for four hours a day. I am not privy to other details on the work permit but I think it also includes ensuring comfortable working conditions. DOLE also monitors these shows and commercials to make sure that permits have been given to all child talents. And the best thing is, a DOLE representative, at any given time, can make a surprise visit to any set or shoot just to check if the rules are being followed.” I have corrected my entry now.
picture copied from: www.phantomfrank.nl
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33 Responses to “Calling, DOLE & DSWD (ABS CBN’s Palimos ng Pag-Ibig)”
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Dine Racoma is Sexy Mom, a Filipina doing what she likes best—writing, her passion. She writes freelance, does research, advises on new media, and manages a virtual assistance office for home-based jobs. A mother of 7 (what joy!) foremost, a wife, MIL, grandma to 2 pretty girls and an angel in heaven, sister, daughter, friend. Was in the corporate world for 27 years, the first 5 as Executive Secretary to an affiliate of the country’s biggest drug chain, and the last 22 as an international civil servant in an international development bank with HQ in Manila. Traveled extensively to many countries bringing about rich experiences and lessons learned to share with dear Readers. All these—in The D Spot
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Reminds me of BBC’s show Baby Borrowers (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/baby_borrowers/index.shtml). Lumabas pa lang ang flyers, inulan na ng complains ang BBC. But since may agreement with the parents “legal” lahat kahit na talaga namang nakakatakot isipin na teeners na walang alam sa buhay ang mag-aalaga sa mga baby.
I remember when I was still in Pinas inis na inis na ko sa mga reporters ng ABS CBN kapag nag-i-interview sila ng mga abused children, tipong “ano sasabihin mo sa tatay (rapist nung bata) mo”... HELLO?!
I doubt if DSWD is ever involved in tv or movies with minors.
Auee – DSWD is supposed to issue permits for minors to be involved in movies and TV. They have been doing good with some of their social work-related activities, hopefully, their arm involved with TV and movies will do their homework. It’s very frustrating, isn’t it?
and to think that ABS has their very own Bantay Bata – they could not even guard a defenseless child in their own turf.
omg! BBC’s show Baby Borrowers could be replicated here! i shudder at the thought of babies being exploited in reality shows!
These people are not using their common sense….this is a classic example of exploitation…Money in this country is survival…They will use anything to make money
Appreciate very much for unmasking this type of shows….
Thanks for being a notable mother…
Too bad, I have the impression that DSWD’s take on such matters is still loose.. just look what happened on that fragile small kid.. he does not even know (i bet) what’s really going on while he is being shouted on.
This is a case where parents, government and the tv media industry should re-assess themselves.
and i would imagine everybody at the taping would applaud to the poor baby’s ‘performance’. nope, i won’t allow my baby to do that.
i hope the authorities would react to that. that’s violence shown on primetime!
i know in the US, they hire twins or triplets to play one character or 3 or 4 different babies to play one character. one good example is the Olsen twins. for years they alternately played the most loved little girl in Full House. and i’ve heard there is a limit to how long a baby or child be working, hence 3 or 4 replacements. if i’m correct i think less than hour or so.
So far not witnessed such a sad episode in our living room here and if ever it happens in actual events, a quick call to Children’s Aid will immediately initiate an investigation.
That’s is how we look after the welfare of A Child; the state has the right to look after the child’s welfare andd take over custody as soon as the parents abandone such responsibilities. And subjecting a child to such cruelty is unimaginable. irresponsible cruelty and can be considered more than a crime against a minor.
sexy mom, i also got to watch that episode in Palimos where Rica somewhat maltreats the baby. nakakaawa talaga yung baby.
which then made me think, aware kaya ang parents nung baby that their son will be used that way?
tsk.tsk.tsk.
Tsk, that’s how our nation breeds demented generations of kids. That production should be put to jail. No kid deserves to be exploited like that for theratings.
Poor kid.
I love the word “pag-ibig” ... It carries a deeper meaning for me.
(:
I kinda miss watching “Anak” ... I applaud Vilma Santos and Claudine Barretto’s act in there!
In the movie Pursuit of Happyness, the little boy there was portrayed my Will Smith’s real life son. When Oprah interviewed them, she asked the son what he felt when his father yelled at him in one of the scene they were filming especially that in real life, Will Smith doesnt yell at him. He simply answered “it was just acting”. Smith’s son was old enough understand.
I missed that episode not that I regulary watch the show. I do agree with your sentiments Sexy Mom. So did Dole have any positive feedback on your concerns? I’m curious.
sorry for all the typos Sexy Mom…:)
@verns – i left messages in the websites of DOLE, DWSD and ABS CBN. Let’s hope for some action.
i saw Will Smith’s son at the Oscar’s—he seems to be a nice smart young man. at his age, he can already understand that it is all acting.
@kyels – “pag-ibig” surely carries a deep meaning for most. i, too, applaud Vilma’s and Claudine’s act in “Anak”. we still watch it each time reruns are shown on tv.
@Alex – you are right NO kid should be exploited that way.
@feng – i’m sure you felt the same revulsion as i did! the parents should BE aware of this!
@vic – canadian kids are luckier in this sense. but it should not only be in canada! it should be across all nations.
@dexie – that’s true, in the US there are strict rules. now i wonder, with comment #1
I STAND CORRECTED, PLS REFER TO VIC’S COMMENTS #16 BELOW. THANKS, VIC!
@analyse – applause applause! if that’s the case, it’s so sad. what distorted values!
@dimaks – and this is only 1 example.
@flor – too often, money comes in the way of common sense! and this case, a defenseless minor is victim.
What we have here is a viewer’s concern about the welfare of an actor who may not be aware of the role, and could be a victim instead for making the scene realistic. In some scenes a child actor may have already rehearsed or known the role and may have been approved by child welfare agency for such a role in this case if any viewer raise a concern, the show producers can come up with all the necessary evidence to allay the viewers concern.
By the way sexy mom comment # 1 refers to BBC which is a British Crown Broadcasters. In the U.S. they have a very strict rule for child actors. for adults, anything goes as we have seen their movies and their tvs..
I don’t watch primetime shows (especially of ABS-CBN), but reading about this really makes me feel disgusted. I don’t know who to blame: the baby’s parents, or the TV station itself, for exploiting children like that. You’re right, when it comes to babies who get mistreated like that even in front of the camera, everything is real.
Money. ‘sighs’
I noticed that too while watching Palimos. Maybe the parents of the boy are not aware of the psychological effect or maybe they’re really after the money.I hope the station will do something about it.
i did not get to the part where the baby was with Rica’s care already…
but yes.. i can imagine how it could have been for a child… kasi it might really traumatize the kid..
_they should do something about it….report it to the BANTAY BATA Foundation (of ABS-CBN group of companies)...what an irony…do we stop dropping coins in their cans?
Working in a children’s show has made us very careful about hiring and working with kids. We are aware of the guidelines set by DOLE with regard to working children, all networks are supposed to be aware of them. Usually, DOLE conducts spot checks during tapings to see if these guidelines are met. Pero siyempre meron pa ring nakakalusot.
I agree that subjecting a child to such drama is a form of abuse. But I think that it would not happen had the parents not allowed it to happen. But then again, we don’t exactly know what the exact situation of that particular kid and his parents, thus, allowing some benefit of the doubt.
Though I am not defending ABS or any other network for that matter, i think parents always have a choice in situations like these. Parents are a child’s first line of defense. And they have to remember that when they let their guard down, it is the child who will suffer.
Dine, do update us on the reply to your complaint.
With the Philippines’ Departments poor service quality and with the TV people’s arrogance, I bet they wouldn’t even care. On another thought, that kid might be just some kid of someone. He probably wasn’t even screened or anything. I don’t even think a kid of that age could undergo psychological testing.
So yeah, they were just too cruel and harsh. It’s just sad how they would do things like that just to add to the flavor of their show while rolling Bantay Bata commercials in between. A kid that age wouldn’t understand what’s acting and what’s not, especially with the heaviness of the scene.
If the child is not more than a year old, you are so right on being angry how this child is getting treated. A child that young doesn’t know if what they are doing are for real or just an act. What is the mother thinking of? It’s all about the money, my gosh. Kung model-model lang ok sana pero kung sinisigawan na yung bata, I don’t think it’s fair for someone who is so young and cannot have a say.
I was not able to watch this but the way you described it make me feel so sorrow for the child. If he is merely one year old or younger, I think he is too young to understand what is happening. I fear that the child might have suffered from this kind of exposure. It’s good of you Dine to point out something like this to make people realize the vulneribility of a child. You have posted very good questions which made me wonder too.
It would be too easy to think of it as role playing but a child that young may not fully understand the meaning of acting.
I hope that proper actions can be taken to protect the welfare of children in television and film.
My God! I’m so glad I didn’t watch that episode! I’m seething in anger just reading your post Sexy Mom! Hay naku, these networks talaga… the things they do for money.
I agree with Dad, ironic that it is ABS-CBN which has the Bantay-Bata.
A new tele-novela ! I am imagining my Mom watching this (kahit inaantok na) co’z she likes Christine !hindi nya po palalagpasin ito
!
sexy mom: i like Christine, too.
P.S. I guess that serie will be scanned by the board of censors naman po! Siguro they have good justification before they can air such serie ! And I guess that from director down to the staffs that they will explain to the kids who play the role that it’s only movie and it is not true ! That is how they get the attention of the viewers, kaya nga po tumataas ang rating! There are also film or series that can be aired at a certain time like late at night para naman po tulog na mga bata ! this is not to take side, I am a mother too and I will not permit anything that would traumatize my kids…..they make film and they want money & good ratings we cannot do anything about it ! On our side what we can do is to explain to our kids or guide them while watching series or shows ! Anyway that is why “Parental guidance” is a MUST !
sexy mom: i hope! i hope! and on our part—we really have to guide our kids.
my gosh! oo nga! grabe i was cringing when rica started shouting at the poor child. napansin ko si diether din parang asiwa kasi parang OA na yung acting ni rica. kita mo naman sa mata ng bata eh. takot yung emosyon, halatang di nya naiintindihan yung situation… i hope matugunan to ng ABS. Oo ng pala, first time ko sa blog nyo and ang ganda! im rounding up the blogs of the “racoma blogging dynasty” and i must say ibang level talaga ang kapag ang ina ang nag share ng experiences. ka batch ko ata si BA. UP din ako, CSSP 3d year. see you all sa iBlog3
i’ll be volunteering. ciao have a nice day po!
sexy mom: thanks, Thysz, hope you will come by again. yes, it was real trauma for the child. actually, i was the last in the dynasty to blog, all the kids started earlier than i did. BA is an incoming sophomore. see you at iBlog3! son, JAngelo will give a presentation on the 2nd day. BA and Vince are joining, too.
oh my…kawawa yung bata
I think I saw somewhere in the credits of that show that the kid actors and the channel have been authorized by DOLE.
Personally, I think that wondering if a child will get traumatized in this soap is a little like wondering whether those kids in the bus hostage scenario were affected by the whole thing. (They were smiling and waving at the media.)
I am also wondering why the mother of this child allowed such an “abuse” to this child if he (Regie?) really was in such a bad situation.
Of course, the problem also with soaps is that the actors have to yell to be mad. I guess it’s also time they changed that.
i do hope they have a child psychologist on board on the show—though i have a very strong feeling they don’t. my mom and i were so bothered watching all those scenes with rica. (hardly rica’s fault, though.) i think parents can take a stronger stand in enforcing the guidelines set by DOLE. i used to work for an ad agency. it’s so disturbing that parents are all too excited to have kids in showbiz that they’re willing to make their kids do anything the directors say—including making babies take cough syrup to make them sleepy. horrors
i don’t think ABS CBN will be that irresponsible and insensitive to their artists, esp such a young boy.. i’m quite sure that they had exert all efforts to make that cute little boy comfortable..like, what if they’ve used some camera tricks, like the boy wasn’t really in front of Rica when she was soo mad, after all..remember, our technology is getting better.. BUT, if the boy was, in one way or another, harmed, maltreated, abused during the shooting, i still have to blame the parents, for allowing it to happen. I am a mother myself, and just the thought of somebody hurting my son makes me angry.