Bela Padilla defends local TV industry as netizens clamor for quality shows

A netizen called out the local television industry for unreasonable work demands and formulaic shows, stating that “the Filipino audience deserves better.”

Twitter user @spaularium suggested having teleseryes aired weekly to raise the quality of local TV shows:

Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@spaularium

She cited that behind the scenes, work is haphazardly done due to time constraints:

Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@spaularium

Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@spaularium

She also pointed out that some shows seem to be produced only to promote actors:

Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@spaularium

She called for local TV networks to step out of producing shows that have been “tried and tested”:

Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@spaularium

With the tweet going viral at some 14,000 likes and over 4,000 shares, some chimed in on the lack of variety in storytelling on local TV:

Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@spaularium

This of course spurred debate on the social media platform, but netizens kept comments civil:

Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@spaularium

There were detractors too who said those unsatisfied by local shows should look to foreign shores. But others felt strongly that Filipinos could do better with the medium:

Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@spaularium

“My Dear Heart” actress Bela Padilla took offense at the statements, citing that “millions are happy” with current shows:

Image: Screen grab via Instagram/@belapadilla

Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@spaularium

Padilla said the comments were  “putting everyone’s morale down” in the industry. A Twitter user pointed out that the tweets were about what audiences wanted, and not just about TV networks.

Image: Screen grab via Twitter/@spaularium

While local TV still has its supporters, it appears that at least 14,000 people are ready to see some fresh homegrown content. JB

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