08/05/2020
โI may not have found a reason to stay but I found a reason to come back.โ Perhaps this line from the character of Primo, portrayed by Daniel Padilla in the movie โThe Hows of Usโ by ABS-CBN Film productions and Star Cinema would be a very comforting sentence for loyal supporters of ABS-CBN after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on May 5, 2020, Tuesday, issued a Cease and Desist Order against the giant broadcasting network. Surely, many are lightly emotional and some are even frantic with the networkโs fate due to the expiration of its 25-year congressional franchise under Republic Act No. 7966.
To many Filipino people who grew up with โUmagang kay Gandaโ in their breakfast table, ABS-CBN stopping its operations along with its various television and radio broadcasting stations nationwide is the nightmare in the day after a good sleep at night. For the hopefuls, nothing is better than being assured that even though ABS-CBN has to abide with the NTCโs mandate, their favorite TV station will soon return when all the legal requirements will be sought and its franchise will be renewed.
To the folks who are solely reliant on the said network for their daily dose of news and relevant information, the big question is how to stay updated especially in these trying times. It is also undeniable that many people specifically in the far-flung areas of the country are only dependent to one or two TV or radio stations, and one not operating for the mean time is clearly challenging.
Nonetheless, the facts would not twist their selves just to appear favorable to those who seek favor. NTC has dropped the verdict and the giant has to follow it and retreat from the silent war. Despite the netizens laying all their arguments in the various social media platforms, the law would not comfort the cry-babies and the emotionally affected. But one thing is certain, ABS-CBN for more than half a century of its said โservice to the Filipino worldwideโ has truly become part of many Filipinos normal day and a day without it would be surely not the same day anymore.
Thank you ABS-CBN for your Christmas station ID every year and the people rejoiced for what seemed like a national Christmas song for the mean time.
Thank you ABS-CBN for the unwavering commitment to help where help is needed through the various platforms like several foundations and reality and game shows.
Thank you ABS-CBN for the nights of great teleseryes: for the emotions that surfaced and resurfaced each time Cardo Dalisay encountered another new antagonist; for the sympathy to Ivy Aguas with her rage towards the Ardientes; for the kilig vibes brought by Kathniel, Jadine, and Lizquen in their common and not-so-common characters in the shows.
Thank you ABS-CBN for the decades of pure entertainment through your musical variety shows that was unparalleled here in the Philippines.
For the news and information, for the talented artists, for the great shows, for the amazing experiences in the sports coverage and pageants, and for the service to the Filipino people, thank you ABS-CBN.
However, the anger the people on the internet feel as well as the sympathy to the 11,000 employees whose employment are jeopardized would not do any good when expressed irresponsibly. Truth to be told, the nation has several other sources of reliable news and information with the presence of other TV stations and websites delivering updates and news, but there is a huge change with ABS-CBN not on TV and radio in a day.
Many may appear reluctant in accepting the reality that no one is above the law especially when there are others out there who seem like โthey are above the lawโ when they are just below their sanity. Maybe, luck does really exist and some people are just unfortunate to suffer its antithesis. With the resurging issues such as: the action of the NTC towards ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN convergence is a threat to democracy as it is a threat to press freedom, the cease and desist order is very untimely noting the global pandemic, and many political debates there and there, there is no better decision than leaving these serious discourses in the hands of the experts in the respective fields.
Certainly, the Filipino people who are loyal and are very affected with the shutting down of the largest broadcasting network in the Philippines are rational and at some point reasonable. Well, they have all their strong bases to fight and defend what they think are a correct standpoint and express them in a manner that does not undermine public welfare.
We can surely live without the shows and survive without ABS-CBN news, but the life would be a bit unaccustomed. Even though the network has been part of many peopleโs lives, but it is not the only life to live, and therefore life must go on. And for ABS-CBN, surely they are doing their very best so that there will come a time soonest when they can finally reiterate Primoโs thoughts: โI may not have found a reason to stay but I found a reason to come back."
Words by Arvin Englisa
