Headwriter Suzette Doctolero defends GMA show after plagiarism accusations
The outspoken GMA headwriter Suzette Doctolero, whose oeuvre includes “Encantadia” “Amaya” and “Indio,” has taken to her Facebook once again. Although Doctolero has had a few run-ins with Kapamilya comedian Ogie Diaz as well as ABS-CBN fantaserye “Bagani” in the past, this time Doctolero addressed concerns regarding GMA Network’s latest sci-fi thriller “The Cure.”
Doctolero’s defense comes after some netizens raised that “The Cure” had similarities to the American television series “The Walking Dead” and South Korea’s “Train to Busan.” Doctolero’s post has since been deleted, although there are screenshots circulating in social media and some blogs.
“Adaptation, inspirasyon o kopya?” Doctolero wrote on her Facebook last May 14. “Marami ang nagmamagaling pero wala naman talagang alam… Gaya ng The Cure ngayon, na konsepto at mula sa panulat ni Dode Cruz na binansagan ding Walking Dead daw. Pero nung pinanood ko, ang layo layo naman ng kwento doon...”
Doctolero asked, “Bawal bang gumawa ng zombie series? …Dyan tayo magaling e. Pag dayuhan ang gumawa, todo praise. Pag pinoy, kahit di napanood, mema agad na kopya.
Doctolero further explained that a “copy” is the deliberate stealing of a story from its original source. “Babaguhin lang ang title, pangalan at saka konting twist sa kwento, presto, akala ay bago na. Yan po ang nakaw.”
Article continues after this advertisementShe also clarified that using similar elements in a story, such as the presence of zombies, vampires, werewolves and monsters is not copying. “Wala pong magmamay-ari sa mga mythological creatures and monsters na ito. Yan ay libreng gamitin ng kahit sinong writers o artist at bigyan/lapatan/bihisan/damitan/limusan ng kanilang sariling version ng kwento.”
Article continues after this advertisementDespite not being part of the writing team of “The Cure,” Doctolero remains supportive and urged the people to give it a chance. “ Hindi man ako involved sa writing team nito pero ilalaban ko kasi maganda ang kwento.”
“The Cure” is a sci-fi thriller that stars Jennylyn Mercado, Tom Rodriguez and Cannes “Best Actress” Jaclyn Jose. The story revolves around a family who tries to save their mother from late-stage cancer by using an experimental drug. The drug, however, causes a pandemic infection and the people are now on a mission to look for its cure. /ra
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