National Artist hindi magluluksa para sa Dos: The Filipinos do not really need ABS-CBN

NATIONAL Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose  dissed  ABS-CBN in a short aria which clearly showed his misplaced ideology.

“I’ll not mourn the passing of ABS-CBN. The Filipinos do not really need ABS-CBN. It does not produce food or goods,” he initially said in his May 8 Facebook post.

“It has certainly entertained millions but it did not diminish poverty.”

“Its demise, I dare say, is even good for Philippine democracy if it also means the dismantling of the Lopez empire… The Lopez family is a leading member of the oligarchy—far more powerful than any of the oligarchs, then and now,” he added.

Using his premise, a lot have asked him if his brand of literature, no matter how distinguished, has diminished poverty.

Naging instrument ba ng paglaban sa kahirapan ang kanyang literatura?

It is quite idiotic if not downright moronic to think why a network of gargantuan scale is expected to end poverty.

Since when has a network been tasked to end poverty?  Are other networks like GMA 7, PTV 4, TV5 tasked to end the seemingly endless poverty in this country? Kasama ba iyan sa goal ng isang broadcast station?

What ABS-CBN is offering for many years is service.  Giving the latest updates on news, entertainment, sports, lifestyle and weather forecast, the network has not wavered in its desire to give the public the latest happening.

Since your literature has not also produced food and goods, is it therefore safe to assume that you fail as a literary man. 

Not surprisingly, a lot of netizens question F. Sionil’s aria.  For  them,  it’s all form and no substance.

“It does not diminish poverty? Is it ABS-CBN’s job? It’s the governments job! But the network was able to create ideas how to help Filipinos not to mention the well known foundation that has been leading in helping calamities and in providing shelter for abused children like Bantay 163 and Sagip Kapamilya Foundation.. Funny?”

“Do you know how many people/talent/artists are needed to create a show? A movie? It creates Job for the talented ones! ABS-CBN does not produce food, but the salary that the stuntman get, writer, cameraman, security guard, artists, floor/stage, movie directors, make up artists, janitors, managers, musicians, engineers and many more produces food for their families.”

“Films and literature does not produce food or goods to diminish poverty. Does that mean we also dont need it?”

“Speak for yourself, not every Filipinos have the same opinion as you do. Yes, it’s just an entertainment that’s why for the poor people it’s a stress reliever.  In  a few hours  ay nakakalimutan nila ang hirap ng buhay, yung mga matatanda sa ibang bansa, watching the TFC ang nakakatulong sa kanilang pagiging homesick.  It  has nothing to do with the poverty of the country.  Trabaho ‘yan ng gobyerno, ‘di ba sila ang nag-promise every election at  hindi ang ABS CBN?”