Give GMA (7) a chance

"The best defense is truth." This line has echoed over and over in my head. And it reminded me of that one person who is a proponent of this insight - public relations maverick JY Gonzales and Partners' Junjie Gonzales - who is right once again in the case of embattled President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who last Monday night admitted the truth about the controversial "Hello Garci" tapes.

What struck me most was her act of asking forgiveness and admitting that she was wrong for committing a "lapse in judgment." That was a very honorable thing to do for a woman who is known for being "super mataray" and even acting righteous sometimes. The president is obviously reaching out to us, and though a bit delayed, it does not matter now. The important thing is we could all move on, hand in hand, for the betterment of this malnourished nation.

Stop those impeachment proposals and destabilization plots. Now is not the time for bickering and selfishness. Our economy as always is the most affected. No matter what happens to this country, it would boomerang on all of us in the end. So let us all unite and give the President a chance.

In relation to the virtue of giving one a chance - let's give an unmistakable volume of chance too to GMA 7, the Kapuso network, for reaching out to Cebuanos by way of dubbing some of its public affairs and entertainment programs in the local dialect. I was told that Kapuso shows like "Huwag Kukurap," "Idol Ko Si Kap" and "Kay Susan Tayo" have been dubbed in Cebuano for two weekends already. The initial feedback I got was not pleasing. Some said the move is an insult to Cebuanos because it appears to say that we can't understand the national language that the Tagalog shows have to be dubbed. Others commented that the dubbing reduces the interest of viewers because it's not pleasing to hear and the facial expressions of the stars sometimes don't fit the audio. So last Saturday, I made it a point to watch the horror TV series "Huwag Kukurap" to see for myself if these comments were true.

The episode, entitled Lola's Bedroom, was about a haunted house, featuring Manilyn Reynes and Isabella de Leon. Actually, I cannot tell you verbatim what the storyline was because I only watched it after two gaps and decided to turn off the TV. It was not because I did not like it, but rather because it was raining hard with splashes of thunder and lightning. I was afraid our TV set in the newsroom would be affected and damaged by such just like before. But that's it.

Still, I was hoping that the title of the episode would be translated to Cebuano i.e. "Lawak ni Lola." It was not - but no big deal actually. And it's true that the dubbing sometimes did not synchronize with every closing and opening of the actors' mouths.

But honestly, by watching parts of that episode, I was beginning to fall in love with the approach. Had I not turned off the TV, I believe I'd be hooked already. Maybe because I'm just very nationalistic and emotional about things concerning Cebuanos. "Ang di marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa ang amoy sa mabahong isda," as Dr. Jose Rizal did say, right? So, let's encourage the usage of our dialect to the fullest. This is our triumph.

So, this goes to say my stand is to give dubbed shows a chance. Let us appreciate the effort being done by the network to capture our hearts. Dubbing these shows in our dialect is, in a way, proof of our bearing and influence since they have to adjust to meet our interests. I really love what is happening because it seems that people in Manila are now beginning to understand that they can't stay standing alone and must consider the emotions of those belonging from the Visayas and Mindanao.

Sorry to say this, but assailing this triumphant development is hypocrisy. Why are we, instead, fascinated with chinovelas/koreanovelas? Except for being fast-paced they have no other finer points. The storyline is very typical; very similar to that of our Tagalog movies. Patronizing these shows more than our very own like "Darna," "Mga Anghel Na Walang Langit," "Encantadia," "Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin" and a lot more is somewhat betraying the motherland. Let's get rid of these foreign products and instead support our very own produced shows.

The most common reaction I often hear when one watches a Cebuano-produced show is "Yuck, baduy!" Hello?! If it is, then that is another way of saying that you yourself is "baduy" because you're a Cebuano. Yes, I used to say that myself when referring to shows on ABS-CBN Cebu but that was because its actors were not telegenic. But now beautiful and talented people are gracing our local TV screens. Thus, I am not ashamed to admit that I watch "Sabado Na Gyud" and "Singgit Cebu" whenever I have the time. And I am not ashamed to declare too that I have a crush on Genesis Dacua and Raven Ace Mirza. To me, these guys are a hell of a hunk. Of course, "Jud Morning" is number one in my list because I'm a fan of Jude Bacalso whose spontaneity and wit are very engaging.

For the record, I like ABS-CBN Cebu better than GMA-7 at this juncture. Don't get me wrong, multi- awarded tri-media personality Bobby Nalzaro is a good friend as well as the rest of the members of its local news and current affairs team. I am pleased more with the regional Kapamilya because it has four locally produced shows - "Jud Morning," "Sabado Na Gyud," "For Life" and "Maayong Buntag Cebu" So maybe Cebuano-dubbed shows in the Kapuso backyard are also its way of putting a good fight in the local entertainment circuit.

Interestingly, some Kapuso insiders revealed to me last Monday that the dubbed shows are so far doing well in the ratings. They themselves admitted that they do not like watching these shows, but the figures revealed at the end of the day proved to be inspiring. That the ratings are accurate is a big possibility. Simply because the locally produced shows of ABS-CBN are doing well too. The fact that ABS-CBN continues to produce these shows through the years could only mean that a stable market sustains them. So the good ratings of these dubbed shows as claimed by the Kapuso insiders should not come as a surprise. It has after all two surefire ingredients for capturing the Cebuano audience - the dubbing in Cebuano and the appearance of big stars. It's like hitting two birds in one stone as far as the "masa" audience is concerned. So, from now on, don't even think that it is an insult to your intelligence. The dubbed shows serve to remind you that by heart and by birth, you're a Cebuano forever and that there's no way you can contest or change that. To support shows dubbed in Cebuano or even the locally produced is being true to yourself.

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I would like to say thank you to Ms. Jane Salmeron Abella, executive producer of "Jud Morning" for reaching out to me last Thursday to apologize in behalf of the regional Kapamilya network. It had something to do with what I wrote last week about the experience the local press got during the promo tour of Star Cinema's latest offering "Nasaan Ka Man." Ms. Jane, don't worry because I understand the situation. Thank you for telling me you sent a copy of my column last week to Manila for the network bigwigs to weigh up the points I raised. I appreciate it very much!

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Join MTV Philippines and McDonalds search for the next big thing in the music scene. If you believe you have what it takes to be the next R&B superstar, then don't waste time and submit your application before July 15. Who knows, you will be Vicor's newest recording sensation. Drop by any McDonald's outlet for more information.

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Correction: The Shrine of Mother Mary in Bogo that fast-rising young star Maja Salvador visited last year has 163 steps, not 102 as I previously mentioned. I stand corrected Julian! React at [email protected] or at 09286252596.