Social media erupted abuzz on Saturday, June 10, after ‘It’s Showtime’ hosts, Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis, wondered why the show could no longer play SB19’s newest smash hit, Gento.
Madlang will no longer be able to see wonder kids, Argus and Jaze, dancing to Gento, on the show again. That is the case after the publishers of the recently released SB19 track apparently started demanding royalties from the show for playing the group’s copyrighted content. Publishers collect royalties for original compositions used commercially in any venue or show.
A scene on the noontime show’s ‘Isip Bata’ segment inevitably sparked discussions about music copyright fees. This was when a contestant requested a dance showdown with host, Jhong Hilario, using Gento. The song apparently can no longer be played on the show, as publishers now ask for royalties.
An insider informed us that TV shows like ‘It’s Showtime’ typically use songs for free throughout their promotional period. It seems such a period has lapsed and Gento’s publishers are now asking for compensation, in the name of SB19. It can be noted that Pablo, the composer of most SB19 compositions, is part of FILSCAP, the organization tasked with collecting royalties for their members.
Anne Curtis and Vice Ganda’s seemingly “wondering” reaction towards the royalty imposition did not sit well with A’Tin, the PPOP group fans, who demanded explanations from the two hosts. A Twitter trend, RESPECT LOCAL ARTISTS, also emerged on the social media platform, a movement meant to gather support for local composers.
Alongside netizens, the “Gento” incident inevitably drew attention from musicians, who shared the common sentiment of properly compensating artists with royalties. Singer and actor, Sam Concepcion, has this to say on Twitter.
“Pay artists their royalties,” read his brief tweet.
Pay artists their royalties
— Sam Concepcion (@sam_concepcion) June 11, 2023
Thyro Alfaro, one of the usual composers of ABS-CBN’s annual Christmas ID jingles, also voiced his concern, wondering about the confusion the incident brought.
On Facebook, he wrote: “Wait. Bakit issue to? Haha! Hindi pala common knowledge na usage (na official) = bayad? Hahaha! How do you think composers make money?”
He also responded to comments by a netizen on a PH Entertainment meme, which featured the banter between It’s Showtime host, Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis.
“Sanay kasi na pinapalagpas. Pag may pumalag, dinadaan sa shade. Hehe,” he said, responding to a netizen’s insinuation that not paying royalties is common in ABS-CBN. Alfaro personally experienced it? Apparently, he has not. This was his response to a query posted under his comment on PH entertainment.
Vice Ganda and Curtis, who were pretty unintentionally unaware of their behavior during the show, are yet to explain their sides. Let’s see if they address the issue in the future as demanded by fans who seemed to take offense in how they handled the issue.
