‘It’s Showtime’ denounces Gabriela complaint vs ‘Pastillas Girl’ segment

THE management of ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime” on Thursday denounced the complaint filed by women’s group Gabriela at the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) over the alleged pimping of Angelica Jane Yap or better known as “Pastillas Girl.”

“It’s Showtime” said Gabriela’s complaint was “not only unfair and irresponsible, but also hurtful and offensive to women like Angelica who has done nothing wrong but to share her story with the hope of getting another shot at love.”

“The intent of the show is to help Angelica in her journey to love and acceptance after recovering from a failed relationship,” the program said in a statement.

In a letter dated Sept. 21, Gabriela asked the executive producer of “It’s Showtime” to stop airing the segment, noting that “competition to sell the show and the ratings war should not be done at the expense of women.”

In response to Gabriela’s complaint and “feedback from general public, MTRCB Chair Atty. Eugenio Villareal asked the noontime show’s director Norbert Vidanes, Business Unit Head Reilyl Santiago and Executive Producer Mark Rejano to attend a dialogue with the Special Sub-Committee of MTRCB’s Gender And Development (GAD) committee on October 13.

READ: MTRCB to meet ‘It’s Showtime’ producers over ‘Pastillas Girl’ segment

But “It’s Showtime” maintained that its “Nasaan Ka, Mr. Pastillas?” segment, which focuses on Yap’s quest to find a new love interest after being dumped by her ex-boyfriend over her best friend, reflects the values of “forgiveness, honesty, and being open to possibilities.”

“These were evident when Angelica and Enzo, her ex-boyfriend, got closure from their breakup after he showed up last September 19 on ‘It’s Showtime’ to personally apologize to her for hurting her in the past,” the statement read.

“She also reconciled with her friend Karen, now Enzo’s girlfriend, in an emotional reunion last September 25. Topher (Labao), one of Angelica’s admirers, also patched things up with his ex-girlfriend, who came on the show last September 21 to discuss the problems that caused their breakup,” it added.

The program went on by saying that it never forced Yap to do anything without her full consent, noting that the latter has the freedom of choice “to do and reveal what she wants.”

“To protect her, the show also screens her admirers before making them appear in the show to check their intentions,” the show said.

“Aside from that, ‘It’s Showtime’ presents Angelica’s story in such a way that the public understands her through her one-on-one interviews with Vice about her experiences, by bringing out Enzo and Karen, and by providing her the opportunity to voice out her own insights about love and life so she will not be prejudged based on her social media accounts and her viral video,” it added.

The “Pastillas Girl” segment was regarded as ABS-CBN’s gamble against Eat Bulaga’s hit “Kalyeserye” segment, which features the hit “AlDub” tandem of actor Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza or Yaya Dub. YG