Women's Month and Children's Television Programming
Finally, I have this time to update the stale info on my blog. I also don't want to let go of the Women's Month without posting my realizations and experiences in this Month of the Womb.
I attended the 1st Hidelgard Awards of the MassCom Dept. of St. Scholastica's College. I just couldn't shun the invitation personally delivered by the students with a glossy press kit. The program was well-organized definitive of the St. Scho. orientation plus the fact that Prof. Jonathan Rondina, chair of the department, was at the helm.
I am glad to have met brave Filipinas who established themselves in media and communication. They were oozing with a feminist aura, not in the radical sense, but with the objective of meriting recognition from the society. Lola Bebang or Dr. Genoveva Matute was still very sharp despite her age when she gave her comments via a video clip. As a feminist radio scriptwriter, she highlighted how she created a freer and stronger Filipina who differ from the mushy and passive type. I also met the Mother of Development Communication of the World Dr. Nora Quebral who emphasized the value of working in the field to have a full understanding of the plight of Filipinos. This particularly struck me because I have been very clinical in my approach to my studies although I am exposing myself to some field work from time to time. But it is not yet enough. The staunch advocacy of Feny Bautista on children's television programs, was equally stirring. I realized how Batibot and its contemporaries are no longer given much importance today. Yes there are cartoons for children but the educational nature of Batibot will be more informational while entertaining the kids. ABS-CBN's Goin' Bulilit is too commercialized. It is wacky but I could not find the incorporation of key values that our children should be exposed to. The only ingredient it has that connotes pseudo-empowerment is the fact that the show stars kids. Maybe, Wansapanataym is its saving grace.
GMA-7 has a friendlier programming because of Art Angel, Lovely Day, and Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang. The Philippines has a hyperactive telenovela mentality that kids are unconsciously taught that programs like Princess and Charming and Maria Flordeluna are for good kids because they are about kids.
I hope the graduating students who attended that forum and awarding ceremony will heed the call of Feny Bautista to re-introduce children's television programs in our major networks. Maybe, QTV-11 can embrace the challenge given its track record of being family-oriented. In the same event, its two programs, Women's Desk and At Your Service were recognized for promoting women's welfare.
Maybe we are oblivious or we prefer to ignore the subtle "oppression" (ideological that redounds to practical level) of women and children, two vulnerable entities in our society. I am concerned about how capitalists have practiced corporate social responsibility. It must also touch on engendering respect for and recognition of women and children. So far, the definition of women's empowerment was also twisted. The plug, if I am not mistaken, of one network to imply empowerment of women during the hype of the Women's Month was the presence of gyrating sexy men. Using male eye candies to connote role reversal did not empower women but it only promotes voyeurism totally inclusive of the powerful-subordinate status. Is this what women want or what is made for women to want? Well, in political economic analysis, the latter is more likely.
* * *
This month my sister left for Singapore for work and her barely over one-year- old son had to be taken care of by a nanny in the morning and by my mom at night. I opposed the setup because I feel that Vaughn, my nephew, is a priority than fear of the future. The nurturing role of a mother is crucial during the formative years of her child. But I was not able to verbalize my opposition because I have dreamt of this for two consecutive nights where I had quarrels with my mom. I do not want this to happen so I followed the hints of my dream and my instincts. Now my sister is feeling homesickness but I warned her not to go home. Sadly, the materialist argument is dominant now. I realized my mom's goals. She will not be present all her life to support my sister so she is teaching her how to stand on her own. I just hope everything will turn out fine. Vaughn is smart and he needs all the guidance that only a mother can offer so that his talents and wits can be sharpened. His grandma is anyway around and I hope she will be able to fulfill the role.
My sister's case is not isolated in the Philippines. Mothers have to fulfill different roles in the public sphere to offset the demanding economic needs of raising a kid. My sister's case is more challenging though because she is a single parent. While I sometimes get irritated by her wanting to go home, I still appreciate her for standing by her decision to raise her child on her own.
* * *
Thank you to all the women of my life in the past and at present, expressed or unexpressed. My teachers, advisers, friends, lovers, female cousin, sister, and my mother. This is mushy but let me say it: YOU HAVE COMPLETED ME!
I attended the 1st Hidelgard Awards of the MassCom Dept. of St. Scholastica's College. I just couldn't shun the invitation personally delivered by the students with a glossy press kit. The program was well-organized definitive of the St. Scho. orientation plus the fact that Prof. Jonathan Rondina, chair of the department, was at the helm.
I am glad to have met brave Filipinas who established themselves in media and communication. They were oozing with a feminist aura, not in the radical sense, but with the objective of meriting recognition from the society. Lola Bebang or Dr. Genoveva Matute was still very sharp despite her age when she gave her comments via a video clip. As a feminist radio scriptwriter, she highlighted how she created a freer and stronger Filipina who differ from the mushy and passive type. I also met the Mother of Development Communication of the World Dr. Nora Quebral who emphasized the value of working in the field to have a full understanding of the plight of Filipinos. This particularly struck me because I have been very clinical in my approach to my studies although I am exposing myself to some field work from time to time. But it is not yet enough. The staunch advocacy of Feny Bautista on children's television programs, was equally stirring. I realized how Batibot and its contemporaries are no longer given much importance today. Yes there are cartoons for children but the educational nature of Batibot will be more informational while entertaining the kids. ABS-CBN's Goin' Bulilit is too commercialized. It is wacky but I could not find the incorporation of key values that our children should be exposed to. The only ingredient it has that connotes pseudo-empowerment is the fact that the show stars kids. Maybe, Wansapanataym is its saving grace.
GMA-7 has a friendlier programming because of Art Angel, Lovely Day, and Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang. The Philippines has a hyperactive telenovela mentality that kids are unconsciously taught that programs like Princess and Charming and Maria Flordeluna are for good kids because they are about kids.
I hope the graduating students who attended that forum and awarding ceremony will heed the call of Feny Bautista to re-introduce children's television programs in our major networks. Maybe, QTV-11 can embrace the challenge given its track record of being family-oriented. In the same event, its two programs, Women's Desk and At Your Service were recognized for promoting women's welfare.
Maybe we are oblivious or we prefer to ignore the subtle "oppression" (ideological that redounds to practical level) of women and children, two vulnerable entities in our society. I am concerned about how capitalists have practiced corporate social responsibility. It must also touch on engendering respect for and recognition of women and children. So far, the definition of women's empowerment was also twisted. The plug, if I am not mistaken, of one network to imply empowerment of women during the hype of the Women's Month was the presence of gyrating sexy men. Using male eye candies to connote role reversal did not empower women but it only promotes voyeurism totally inclusive of the powerful-subordinate status. Is this what women want or what is made for women to want? Well, in political economic analysis, the latter is more likely.
* * *
This month my sister left for Singapore for work and her barely over one-year- old son had to be taken care of by a nanny in the morning and by my mom at night. I opposed the setup because I feel that Vaughn, my nephew, is a priority than fear of the future. The nurturing role of a mother is crucial during the formative years of her child. But I was not able to verbalize my opposition because I have dreamt of this for two consecutive nights where I had quarrels with my mom. I do not want this to happen so I followed the hints of my dream and my instincts. Now my sister is feeling homesickness but I warned her not to go home. Sadly, the materialist argument is dominant now. I realized my mom's goals. She will not be present all her life to support my sister so she is teaching her how to stand on her own. I just hope everything will turn out fine. Vaughn is smart and he needs all the guidance that only a mother can offer so that his talents and wits can be sharpened. His grandma is anyway around and I hope she will be able to fulfill the role.
My sister's case is not isolated in the Philippines. Mothers have to fulfill different roles in the public sphere to offset the demanding economic needs of raising a kid. My sister's case is more challenging though because she is a single parent. While I sometimes get irritated by her wanting to go home, I still appreciate her for standing by her decision to raise her child on her own.
* * *
Thank you to all the women of my life in the past and at present, expressed or unexpressed. My teachers, advisers, friends, lovers, female cousin, sister, and my mother. This is mushy but let me say it: YOU HAVE COMPLETED ME!
posted by JOEVEN at 9:37 AM
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