Several Kapamilya stars held an online protest via Facebook Live last May 8, 2020 to protest against the shutdown of ABS-CBN, which went off-air on Tuesday night following the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) cease-and-desist order.
One of the stars who participated on the live online protest was FPJ’s Ang Probisyano lead actor, Coco Martin who let out his anger and frustration on the said Cease and Desist Order.
The actor first clarified that the Kapamilya protest was not imposed upon them by the ABS-CBN bosses.
“Ito po ay walang nag-utos sa amin, kame pong mga artista ay nagtulong tulong, nagbuklod buklod kase gusto naming mailabas ang nararamdaman namin.”
Coco admitted that he feels frustrated and mad over the said shutdown, “Kung ako po ang tatanungin, hinde ko mapaliwanag at hindi ko po alam kung paano magsisimula dahil sobrang galit po yung nararamdaman ko. Hindi po dahil sa nawalan lang kame ng trabaho, di po ganun kababaw yun. Kung ako tatanungin, matagal ko nang pinaghandaan iyan.”
Looking back, Coco thanked ABS-CBN for the big break that he was given as an artist, “Wala po akong talento. Ang liit ko. Ang pangit ko. Itim ako. Bulol ako. Hindi ako marunong mag-Ingles. Wala akong kapasidad, walang katangian para maging artista, pero hindi po ’yun ang tiningnan ng ABS-CBN. Ang tiningnan nila ay kung ano ang kapasidad mo para magtrabaho at ipakita ang talento mo.”
But despite trying to contain his anger, Coco vented out and even called out the government for the injustice ABS-CBN suffered and encouraged others to speak out against the attack on press freedom.
“Hindi labanan ’to ng diplomasya. Binarubal na tayo. Tinarantado na tayo. Kinuha na iyong bahay natin. Anong ie-expect natin? Pagdadasal natin sila? Pinagdasal na natin sila. Tiniis na natin sila. Dapat kumilos na tayo. Magsalita tayo.”
The “Teleserye King” lashed out at the government for shutting down the company that has helped communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ano ang uunahin natin ngayon? Tanggalin ang kompanya na tumutulong sa ating kapwa, sa lahat ng mga Pilipino, o ’yung sugal na pinapasok sa ating bansa? Buti pa ’yung POGO, pinaglalaban niyo.”
On his Instagram earlier, Coco sarcastically “thanked” Solicitor General Jose Calida and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for their commitment to the country that is already facing labor problems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Maraming maraming salamat Solicitor General Joe Calida at sa bumubuo ng National Telecommunications Commission sa kontribusyon niyo sa ating bayan! Tinatarantado ninyo ang mga Pilipino!”
A clearly angry Coco said that if it involves his family, he said he would fight boldly, “Kapag ang pamilya ko kinanti, kahit sino ka pa, lalaban ako ng patayan sa iyo kahit patayin mo pa ako.”
The event was hosted by Boy Abunda and Bianca Gonzalez. Others stars in the online protest included Judy Ann Santos, Kim Chiu, Bela Padilla, Cherry Pie Picache, Agot Isidro, Michael De Mesa, Rowell Santiago, Raymart Santiago, John Prats, Dan Villegas, and Antoinette Jadaone.
