No network war in Dolphy tribute

As a television anchor, I know immediately when I’m in a Kapamilya or Kapuso territory by the warmth of the residents. If I see them just curiously staring at me, I sense that they are loyal to the Kapuso network. When I take a peek inside their houses, my hunch is confirmed. They are watching Eat, Bulaga! 

On the other hand, if they look for Coco Martin, half-expecting that I can bodily  produce him in an instant, I am,  no doubt,  in Kapamilya domain. 

The viewing public, in general, are very loyal to the networks. They can be brutally frank, “Kapuso kami,” but more often, and naturally, of course, they tell me, “Solid Kapamilya kami dito.” There are instances where the household is divided, some would prefer Kapamilya and some the other networks.

I am very grateful to our viewers especially when I am told, “I watch you every morning in Umagang Kay Ganda,” because it means that all the discipline of waking up at 3 a.m. is not in vain. People are watching us while they head off to work or school. We are part of their daily routine. Good ratings imply that we are doing our job right, but we have to be constantly on our toes. Poor ratings make us find ways to further improve ourselves.

The network war is real, but it need not be petty or hostile. I personally like it because I like challenging myself, and it allows us to learn new things! Through the ratings, I get to understand the dynamics of our public which, by the way, is quite difficult to please. For example, a well-produced show does not always deliver good ratings and vice versa. Competition, in an ideal world, allows us to better ourselves, and better influence and educate our public. But in a number of instances, the polarity of the Kapamilya or Kapuso networks may be divisive to Filipinos.

The Dolphy, Alay Tawa tribute to the King of Comedy last Sept. 19 was a breath of fresh air to the network competition, because the three major networks, ABS-CBN, GMA and TV5, all took part in the said event. At the pre-program were Paolo Bediones of TV5, Rhea Santos of GMA 7 and myself. All of us were at some point GMA 7 talents. But Rhea, interestingly, worked at ABS-CBN as intern before joining GMA 7. The air was very cordial and we even teased each other on stage.

I was not able to watch the live performances of the artists from the different networks but its TV airing is something that we should all look forward to, like the production number of Iya Villania and Melai Cantiveros who were in ballet outfits when I saw them in the make-up room. Ruby Rodriguez joined them in their number.

It’s a blast, like how cheerleading competitions are. All artists are at their best form because they are representing the networks in a once-in-a-lifetime event with a truly worthy cause.

Tito Dolphy always had the heart for helping others, according to his son Eric Quizon. Among the beneficiaries of the event is Hope in a Bottle, which helps in building public schools. Tito Dolphy was supposed to be its first celebrity endorser. Philippine Red Cross was also chosen by the Dolphy Aid Foundation, because of how much the Quizon family was helped by the Red Cross, especially during a vehicular accident that involved Tito Dolphy’s son, Vandolph. The Eye Bank Foundation is also a beneficiary of the event.

It took a well-loved man to bring the networks together in one occasion. He was a Kapamilya, he was a Kapatid and was also a Kapuso. Tito Dolphy was simply a Filipino who cared for his fellowmen. He was magnanimous amidst the network competition, and this time, the networks: ABS-CBN, GMA and TV5 have proven that though competitive, we also know when it is time to band together for a common good.

(E-mail me at [email protected].)