Angelica Panganiban stresses freedom of expression, tackling pandemic during ‘Kapamilya’ online protest

Angelica Panganiban has made her voice heard against the ABS-CBN shutdown. Image: Instagram/@iamangelicap

Actress Angelica Panganiban made striking statements in an online protest about what the ABS-CBN shutdown meant in a democratic country like the Philippines, and put focus on tackling Filipinos’ struggles during the coronavirus pandemic.

Panganiban was among the stars who joined “Laban Kapamilya” livestreamed on Angel Locsin’s Facebook page last night at 8.

Angel Aquino, Jodi Sta. Maria, Shaina Magdayao, Michael de Mesa and Enchong Dee voiced their thoughts and concerns about the shutdown in the hourlong livestream, where Panganiban was the last to share her views.

‘Taumbayan ang talo’

The “Playhouse” star emphasized the importance of freedom of choice and expression, especially as an artist.

“Naniniwala ako na mahalaga ang kalayaan sa katulad kong artista. Ang maipahayag ang saloobin nang buong tapang at walang halong takot,” she said.

(I believe that freedom is important for an artist like me. To be able to express our thoughts with full courage and without fear.)

“At bilang isang artista ng bayan, tayo ang magsisilbing boses sa mga hindi makapagsalita, tenga para sa mga hindi makarinig at mata para sa mga hindi nakakakita,” she said.

(As an artist of the nation, we serve as voices for those who cannot speak. Ears for those who cannot listen and eyes for those who cannot see.)

“Tayo po ang magiging sandigan nila kung sila ay nalulungkot, gustong tumawa, gustong sumaya, magbigay ng impormasyon sa panahong kailangang kailangan po natin. Ito po ang aming responsibilidad.”

(We are their support when they are sad, want to laugh, want to be happy, give information in this time when we really need it. This is our responsibility.)

“Alam natin lahat na hindi lang kami ang talo sa pagpapasara ng ABS-CBN. Taumbayan ang talo sa laban na ito.”

(We all know that we are not the only ones who lose in the shutdown of ABS-CBN. The masses lose in this fight.)

“Sa pagpapasara nila sa ating tahanan, hindi na po kaming binigyan ng kalayaang mamili dahil sila na po ang namili na kung ano lang ang inyong dapat panoorin,” she said.

(In closing our home, we are not given the freedom to choose because they have chosen what you can only watch.)

“Hindi po ito tama. Hindi po ito tama sa bansa natin na may demokrasya. Sa bansa natin na dapat may kalayaang mamili at kalayaang makapagpahayag,” she stressed.

(This is not right. This is not right in a country that is a democracy. In our country where there should be freedom to choose and freedom of expression.)

“Hindi po tayo papayag na iilang tao lang ang magdidikta sa atin kung ano dapat natin panoorin, at kung ano dapat natin pakinggan.”

(We will not allow that just a few people will dictate to us what we can watch and what we can listen to.)

“Ipaglalaban natin ngayon ‘yong inyong karapatan at kalayaan na makapagpahayag ng inyong saloobin at sana po gano’n din po kayo sa amin.”

(We will fight for your right and freedom to express your thoughts and I hope you can do the same for us.)

‘Virus ang kalaban’

Panganiban also brought attention to pressing concerns of Filipinos during the coronavirus crisis, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise and lockdown measures impact the livelihoods of Filipinos.

“Tandaan sana natin na hindi ABS-CBN ang kalaban ngayon. Hindi po ang mga artista na nagpapahayag ng kanilang saloobin ang kalaban ngayon,” she said.

(Let us remember that ABS-CBN is not the enemy now. The artists expressing their thoughts are not the enemy now.)

“Ang isyu ay free mass testing. Ang isyu ay ang pagbibigay ng ayuda para sa mga mas nangangailangan. Ang isyu po ay pagiging handa ng health care system sa isang pandemya. Ang isyu ay ang kawalan ng trabaho ng milyun-milyong Pilipino. Ang isyu ay kung saan kukuha ng pagkain ang bawat pamilya,” she declared.

(The issue is free mass testing. The issue is giving help to those in need. The issue is our healthcare system being ready for this pandemic. The issue is the loss of jobs of millions of FIlipinos. The issue is where each family will get food.)

“Hindi po ABS-CBN ang kalaban. Virus ang kalaban. ‘Yan ang kailangan sugpuin. ‘Yan ang kailangan natin sagutin,” she concluded.

(ABS-CBN is not the enemy. The virus is the enemy. That is what we need to suppress. That is what we need to respond to.)

When she previously spoke up after the shutdown, Panganiban called attention to mass testing and press freedom on Twitter May 9.

ABS-CBN was handed a cease-and-desist order by the National Telecommunications Commission after its franchise expired on May 4. The media group went off the air on May 5. Bills in Congress to renew the franchise have remained pending.  /ra

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