The exchange came after the Kapuso writer accused Voltes V Legacy’s rival show of using dirty tactics to sabotage the Kapuso show.
Award-winning film and television writer, Jerry Gracio, and Kapuso Network’s most prized writer (who is also award-winning), Suzette Doctolero, engaged in a fiery exchange of tweets yesterday, May 19. It can be recalled that the ABS-CBN writer attacked Doctolero for actively participating in the so-called “network war.” Gracio wondered why such a thing still exists and pleaded for its end.
“Palipas na ang free TV, nag-iiba na ang landscape. Tapos na ang “network war”. Make love. Not war. Peace,” tweeted Gracio on May 17. Prior to this tweet, Doctolero accused ABS-CBN of sabotaging GMA Network’s audience by disrupting Sky Cable’s pay-TV services. She also brought back the old ‘conspiracy theory’ alluding to MERALCO’s deliberate effort to cut off its services to Kapuso households. MERALCO is no longer controlled by the Lopez family.
Palipas na ang free TV, nag-iiba na ang landscape. Tapos na ang “network war”. Make love. Not war. Peace.
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) May 16, 2023
“Jusko tantanan na natin itong mga conspiracy theory na ‘to. Lipas na ang network war, palipas na ang free TV, hindi na ratings lang ang pinag-uusapan. Tama na ‘yang mga war na ‘yan, dahil sablay ang mga ‘yan tulad ng wars ni Digong. Collab na ang uso,” said Gracio, relating the netwar to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs.”
Jusko tantanan na natin itong mga conspiracy theory na 'to. Lipas na ang network war, palipas na ang free TV, hindi na ratings lang ang pinag-uusapan. Tama na 'yang mga war na 'yan, dahil sablay ang mga 'yan tulad ng wars ni Digong. Collab na ang uso. pic.twitter.com/Wr4YsZKUt8
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) May 18, 2023
Doctolero, who previously did not respond to Gracio’s earlier tweets, asked the Palanca winner to mind his own business.
“Pagpasensyahan na si @JerryGracio at sanay sila na quiet kami, kahit dinudugas, pinapatayan ng cable, sliding programming etc. Gus2 nya mentalidad abused kami kahit woke siya. BTW Jerry, imbes pakialaman mo ko, try mo magsulat ng matinong soap for once, para me saysay ang pagka-woke mo,” tweeted Doctolero. Gracio responded to this tweet by enumerating his objections to Doctolero’s points.
“1. Quiet? Ang ingay mo kaya. 2. Abused? Sino ba tinanggalan ng franchise sa gitna ng pandemya? 3. Hindi ang writer ang magsasabi kung matino ang soap niya o hindi. Mahirap magbuhat ng sariling bangko, lalo kung mabigat. 4. Pinanood ko ang shows mo. Try mo manood ng di mo show,” tweeted Gracio, who brought back the issue of ABS-CBN getting stripped of its franchise. He also alluded to Doctolero being arrogant and self-proclaimed, and encouraged the Kapuso writer to watch shows made by other writers.
Doctolero, responding, asked Gracio if she had something to do with ABS-CBN losing its franchise.
1. Quiet? Ang ingay mo kaya. 2. Abused? Sino ba tinanggalan ng franchise sa gitna ng pandemya? 3. Hindi ang writer ang magsasabi kung matino ang soap niya o hindi. Mahirap magbuhat ng sariling bangko, lalo kung mabigat. 4. Pinanood ko ang shows mo. Try mo manood ng di mo show. pic.twitter.com/wKJJkMjKdw
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) May 18, 2023
1. Quiet? Ang ingay mo kaya. 2. Abused? Sino ba tinanggalan ng franchise sa gitna ng pandemya? 3. Hindi ang writer ang magsasabi kung matino ang soap niya o hindi. Mahirap magbuhat ng sariling bangko, lalo kung mabigat. 4. Pinanood ko ang shows mo. Try mo manood ng di mo show. pic.twitter.com/wKJJkMjKdw
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) May 18, 2023
“Kasalanan ko na tinanggalan kayo ng franchise. Yes maingay ako. Lalo na kung inaatake ng mga attack dogs at maruming laro ninyo. Ako ba nagbuhat? Di ko kasalanan na binibigyan ako ng award, loka. Ano show mo at panonoorin ko?” dared Doctolero, who seemed unaware that she was talking to a Palanca awardee. It should be noted, however, that Doctolero is a recipient of ‘Dangal ng Panitikan Award’ from the National Language Commission.
“Ano ba ang soap opera na ginawa niya? May nakakaalam? Serious at panonoorin ko. Tingnan natin kung kasing woke niya. Char!,” asked Doctolero. Netizens responded to this by naming some of Gracio’s television works, including the critically-acclaimed ‘The Greatest Love’ which is an “Asian Creative Academy Awards” winner. It’s worth-noting, however, that Gracio’s more prominent works are in the film. His award-winning works include ‘Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me, ‘Balangiga’, and ‘Emir‘ among others.
The Kapuso writer engaged Gracio in her subsequent tweets, but the Kapamilya writer declined to participate in the exchange.
“Hindi na sasagot. Magsusulat na para ma-beat ang deadlines at makasulat ng matino-tinong soap kahit papa’no,” tweeted Gracio.
Hindi na sasagot. Magsusulat na para ma-beat ang deadlines at makasulat ng matino-tinong soap kahit papa'no.
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) May 18, 2023
Doctolero is GMA Network’s top creative consultant and the head writer for some of the network’s iconic TV shows. This includes ‘Encantadia’, ‘Legal Wives’, ‘Amaya’, and ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’. She is also the head writer of ‘Voltes V Legacy’.
