Catriona Gray and Pia Wurtzbach, two of the country’s Miss Universe titleholders, used their voices to stand with ABS-CBN that was recently forced to go off-air on May 5, Tuesday night.
The two beauty queens posted their messages of unity with the network on their respective social media accounts as they decried NTC’s decision to issue a cease-and-desist order resulting in the closure of the media giant which is one of the major information sources of many Filipinos especially during this time of a pandemic.
On Facebook, Gray stated, “As we face this global pandemic as a nation, fast and accessible information is key to saving lives. By silencing voices we’re doing a disservice to our countrymen who need it most.
“At a time in our history when we should be remembered for how we all came together to serve each other. When we look back, what will be remembered instead?” she added with the hashtag #NoToABSCBNShutdown.
https://www.facebook.com/catrionaelisagray/posts/4057925674225413
Wurtzbach, on the other hand, posted an artwork depicting a Filipina with her hands tied, gagged, and blindfolded to her followers on Instagram.
In the caption, the Miss Universe 2015 recalled how she grew as an artist under the helm of ABS-CBN which she considered her “home.”
She wrote, “ABSCBN holds a dear place in my heart. I spent most of my teenage years in the halls of ABSCBN, attending workshops, doing rehearsals, tapings, and even attending classes (They had a high school a few years back and I graduated there) ABSCBN was a home for me. It is also home to 11,000 employees and is in the homes of almost every Filipino family.”
She continued: “To my ABSCBN family, I stand by you. I am still hopeful that all of this is just a challenge. Maayos rin ang lahat.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_1bidKDay8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Other beauty queens also expressed their support for the largest broadcasting network in the country along with their hopes and prayers that ABS-CBN will stand again.
On her Instagram account, Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida shared a clip showing an emoticon pleading for press freedom.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zZxDmAsxj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa also shared her sentiments over NTC’s decision to shut down the network.
In her Instagram post last May 5, the same day, the media giant was forced to sign-off, the beauty queen felt for the thousands of employees who lost their source of income and for other people who rely on ABS-CBN for news.
She said, “Napakalaking problema ang kinahaharap ng bansa dahil sa pandemic na ito at mas inuna pa talaga pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagpapasara ng station na’to?
“Isa sa mga major stations ito na nagbibigay ng information sa mga tao. Idagdag nyo pa ang libu-libong empleyado na mawawalan ng trabaho dahil sa desisyon ninyong sala sa kasulukuyang sitwasyon, NTC,” she added.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zixFzAAfC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Other beauty queens who expressed their support to the Lopez-led company were Bianca Manalo, Rachel Peters, and Gazini Ganados. Even Kelsey Merritt, the first Filipina model to join the coveted Victoria’s Secret fashion show, also showed her support for press freedom which was seemed to be violated when the largest broadcasting station in the country went off-air.
