Actor Paulo Avelino has taken a stand against the widespread issue of piracy plaguing the entertainment sector, citing its detrimental effects on the livelihoods of industry professionals both on-screen and behind the scenes.
Addressing a netizen’s claim on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) regarding the inevitability of pirate versions of his and Kim Chiu’s forthcoming series, ‘What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim,’ Avelino firmly rejected the normalization of piracy.
He underscored its significant impact on the industry, emphasizing that it adversely affects numerous individuals working behind the camera, whose contributions often go unnoticed.
“Bakit naman po imposible? Industriya po namin ang nalulugi sa pamimirata ng mga tv show o pelikula. Hindi lang po kabuhayan namin ang apektado kundi pati narin ang kabuhayan ng lahat ng taong nag ta-trabaho sa likod ng camera. Hindi niyo sila nakikita o kilala pero apektado rin sila. ‘Wag niyo pong gawing normal ang pamimirata ng mga palabas,” Avelino argued in his response.
Bakit naman po imposible? Industriya po namin ang nalulugi sa pamimirata ng mga tv show o pelikula. Hindi lang po kabuhayan namin ang apektado kundi pati narin ang kabuhayan ng lahat ng taong nag ta-trabaho sa likod ng camera. Hindi niyo sila nakikita o kilala pero apektado rin… https://t.co/IqSZD2RUSS
— PAULO (@mepauloavelino) February 22, 2024
The actor’s concerns echo previous instances of piracy’s detrimental impact on Filipino productions, such as his film ‘Fan Girl’ during the 46th edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in 2020. Legal action was taken against pirated copies circulated online during that time.
A survey conducted by the Asia Video Industry Association’s Coalition Against Piracy in 2022 revealed that the Philippines ranked among the highest consumers of pirated content in the region while also being the lowest consumer of legitimate content among surveyed countries.
Efforts to combat piracy are ongoing, with organizations like the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) actively involved in bolstering anti-piracy measures. The FDCP stresses the significant economic contribution of the film industry, noting potential revenue increases of at least 15 percent if piracy is curbed.
Avelino’s stance adds to the chorus of voices within the industry, including actors Matteo Guidicelli and John Arcilla, advocating for an end to piracy in the country.
