GMA stars, journos stand with ABS-CBN in wake of sign-off
Atom Araullo, Maine Mendoza and Janine Gutierrez have expressed support for ABS-CBN as it went off-air on May 5. Image: Facebook/@officialatomaraullo, Instagram/@mainedcm, Facebook/@JanineGutierrezOfficial
As ABS-CBN left the airwaves last night, May 5, for the first time since 1972, stars from rival network GMA showed support for the broadcasting giant.
Some shared hearts in colors of the ABS-CBN logo, while others took a stand for press freedom.
Ryan Agoncillo, Maine Mendoza, Lovi Poe, Julie Anne San Jose and Bea Binene showed sympathy with hearts in red, green and blue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_1GHDfJMA6/
♥️💚💙
— Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) May 5, 2020
Prayers for everyone. ❤️💚💙
— Lovi Poe (@LoviPoe) May 5, 2020
Yakap at dasal ❤️💚💙
— JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE (@MyJaps) May 5, 2020
dasal, yakap at puso. ❤️💚💙
— Bea Binene (@beabinene) May 5, 2020
News anchor Kara David posted a statement from the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, which slammed the National Telecommunications Commission for the cease-and-desist order against ABS-CBN.
“Again, the current administration demonstrates the lengths it will go to silence critical media voices,” it said.
— Kara David (@karadavid) May 5, 2020
“Sorrow today, courage and defiance tomorrow. #DefendPressFreedom,” said journalist Atom Araullo, who was previously a reporter for ABS-CBN.
Sorrow today, courage and defiance tomorrow. #DefendPressFreedom
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) May 5, 2020
Another news anchor, Mariz Umali, reached out to ABS-CBN reporters to say that she was praying with them.
Praying with u, @IanEsguerra @adrianayalin @jeffcanoy @R_G_Cruz888 @sherieanntorres @biancadava and your entire ABSCBN Family 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Mariz Umali (@marizumali) May 5, 2020
Actress Janine Gutierrez shared a quote from philosopher Hannah Arendt about the consequences of losing a free press.
“The moment we no longer have a free press, anything can happen. What makes it possible for a totalitarian or any other dictatorship to rule is the people are not informed; how can you have an opinion if you are not informed?” the statement begins.
— 🌺JANINE (@janinegutierrez) May 5, 2020
Sarah Lahbati looked back on her stint with the media company where she worked on teleseryes before becoming an “Eat Bulaga!” co-host.
“I may have only been with my Kapamilya family for a short period of time but I’ve always felt their warmth and support,” she said on Instagram last night.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zcgqQF93E/?igshid=5pfrlg6kxdbp
“Praying for all the people losing jobs and all the families that are trying to provide. Now is the time to help each other and not tear each other down. We’ll get through this.” /ra
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