“Abot Kamay na Pangarap” scene; Baliwag Mayor Ferdie Estrella. Image: screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network, Facebook/Ferdie Estrella
GMA Network has communicated to Baliwag City Mayor Ferdie Estrella its apology after they were called out over an episode of “Abot Kamay na Pangarap,” in which the name of the city was ridiculed and was used as a reference to a mentally challenged person.
In a message shared with INQUIRER.net on Tuesday, Feb. 20, GMA Assistant Vice President for Drama Ali Nokom Dedicatoria got in touch with the Baliwag City Mayor and planned an in-person meeting to make the amends.
“On the Baliuag, Bulacan issue: GMA Asst. Vice President for Drama Ali Nokom Dedicatoria has reached out to Mayor Ferdie Estrella on behalf of the writer and the program and they will also meet with him on Monday to deliver the apology letter personally. All’s well that ends well,” GMA stated.
On Feb. 14, the TV series aired an episode that showed Pinky Amador’s character speaking back to the voices in her head. Her fellow inmates made fun of her, saying she has a “screw loose.” Jackie Lou Blanco’s character agrees and says, “Nagdedeliryo na… Papunta na ito sa Baliwag, Bulacan.”
The next day, Estrella released an official statement referencing the episode to express his dismay for using the city and the issue on mental health in an insensitive manner at the expense of residents.
“Sa naging dayalogo ay ginawang katatawanan ang Baliwag, Bulacan. Ito ay nakakalungkot dahil nagpapamalas ito ng kakapusan sa kaalaman at kawalan ng sensibilidad sa mga mahahalagang issues,” he remarked.
The city mayor underscored that the name Baliwag comes from a long history that doesn’t have anything to do with mental incapacity, adding that the City is an advocate for mental health issues and condemns any form of ridicule on the sensitive topic.
“Marami ang itinuturing na pinagmulan ng pangalan ng Baliwag ngunit hindi isa rito ang salitang baliw,” he said.
“Ang Lungsod ng Baliwag ay isa sa mga nagtataguyod ng adbokasiya sa mental health, kaya naman hindi rin kami sumasang-ayon sa pagpapalabas ng nakakasirang tema lalo pa at ikinakabit ang Baliwag bilang punchline o bagong katawagan para makapangpahiya ng sinuman,” added Estrella.