ABS-CBN Head of TV production Laurenti Dyogi responded to allegations that ABS-CBN is using its employees and the shutdown to gain public sympathy.
Director Lauren, also known for directing ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother, posted a two-minute video of ABS-CBN employees and talents expressing their sadness that ABS-CBN is not on air.
“Good afternoon sa lahat! Katatapos lang ng Senate hearing on ABS franchise. Nalulungkot ako dahil habang tumatagal na wala kami sa free tv at radyo, marami sa aking katrabaho ang maaring mawalan ng kabuhayan. Pero patuloy akong umaasa! #KapamilyaForever #LabanKapamilya”
Good afternoon sa lahat! Katatapos lang ng Senate hearing on ABS franchise. Nalulungkot ako dahil habang tumatagal na wala kami sa free tv at radyo, marami sa aking katrabaho ang maaring mawalan ng kabuhayan. Pero patuloy akong umaasa! #KapamilyaForever#LabanKapamilya pic.twitter.com/q8BwJG2Ojv
— Direk Lauren (@direklauren) May 19, 2020
A netizen then commented that ABS-CBN is really at fault for the shutdown and Dyogi’s video feels like a ‘paawa effect’, “Kasalanan ng network po big brother. Yang mga nawowork sa network, wag nyo pabayaan pero sorry kuya kasi feeling ko paawa effect tong video nato. alam naman na kasi namin eh, bat nag video pa para maawa kami? pero effective naawa ako sa kanila…. lang.”
Direk Lauren immediately answered and believes that it is wrong to invalidate one’s true feelings in this kind of situation, “Totoo ang nararamdaman nilang takot at pangamba. I don’t blame you if you can’t relate or fully empathize with them. But I think it’s unfair to invalidate their feelings as paawa.”
Totoo ang nararamdaman nilang takot at pangamba.I don't blame you if you can't relate or fully empathize with them.But I think its unfair to invalidate their feelings as paawa.
— Direk Lauren (@direklauren) May 19, 2020
In a recent interview with Raul B. Asis, President of the ABS-CBN Supervisory Employees’ Union, the ABS-CBN union leaders remained positive for their families.
“We still try to laugh. We try to show our families that we are strong,” said Asis.
“But inside, this is a very painful time for us. I think it’s the same for all my fellow workers.”
Labor and human rights groups in the country stand with ABS-CBN and its workers. They see the forced closing of the network as a significant setback for the 11,000 ABS-CBN workers.
The network also claimed that the closure is causing “serious financial hemorrhage” and that if the Supreme Court (SC) will not reverse it early, the network will be left with no choice but to let go of workers.
“Every day that it is off the air, ABS-CBN is losing about P30 to P35 million mainly in advertising revenues. If this severe financial hemorrhage is not stopped, ABS-CBN may be constrained to eventually let go of workers, reduce salaries and benefits, and substantially cut down on costs and expenses.”
