There is something about the sensational reports of Oscar Oida (GMA Network) and Dolan Castro (ABS-CBN) that must be turning off jurors when we ask them to assess the morning program offerings of their respective stations.

In almost every jury screening held by Anak TV, whether in the Visayas or Mindanao, the set of jurors coming from the ranks of parents, educators, businessmen, religious and NGOs, “Umagang Kay Ganda” and “Unang Hirit” almost always make the grade.

However, they are unanimous that they can never allow themselves or their children to wake up to news about blood gore and violence. It is that shade of disenchantment brought about by the sour news dished out each morning by the two popular shows that repel the viewers. Hence, neither program could ever make it to the finals because of that fly in the ointment.

Thankfully, viewers are not affected by the news anchors (UH’s Rhea Santos and Arnold Clavio, both regularly honored by Anak TV, as well as Pinky Webb and Alex Santos, who have inexplicably
not moved into the magic circle yet). After all, these anchors only read the news, and do not pick them up themselves. Knowing the peculiar limitations of television and the sorry fact that there is little TV literacy going around, viewers tend to heap their chagrin on police reporters simply because all they bring are depressing news about crime.

NO PASSING RATE

Even if the wake-upper programs are generally delightful and informative, they both flunk when the issue of child-sensitivity is raised.

Umagang Kay Ganda is a runaway winner because of Kim Atienza and Winnie Cordero, the latter being a constant favorite because of her knowledgability and camera presence.

Atienza owes his screen confidence to years of training in the theater. Cordero, who has a serious drama background too, has evolved into a TV mother of sorts, an engaging household partner and trusted consumerism advocate. It does not surprise that mothers look up to her with admiration.

Tandemed together, Atienza and Cordero can carry a program with aplomb if only the home station hears what the viewers have to say about the pair. The Kapamilya channel has already proven Atienza’s bankability by fielding him in another Anak TV favorite, Matanglawin. Cordero, meanwhile, just basks in radio and in kitchen and home product ads.

Unang Hirit makes it a habit to rouse viewers employing the boisterous barkadahan mode. It oftentimes works.

However, to promote a show, a band, a performer or a product at the expense of academics if something many mothers and critics frown upon. We add our voice to the growing indignation.

Many times, we have watched remote telecasts of a segment from a public school, the entire program having disrupted the school’s morning schedule.

In this regard, it is more a question of DepEd and the school officials’ sense of professionalism and academic maturity rather than the TV producer’s responsibility. How else do we explain the en masse screaming of grade school or high school students when they should be in class learning with their teachers? Last year, we were floored by skimpily clad female dancers gyrating onstage in a school in Pasig during a regular school day!

We admit that the morning programs are produced for the adults at home but it is insane to ignore the fact that children are also present when adults watch. Net 25’s Home Page, NBN/IBC/RPN’s One Morning Café and UNTV’s Good Morning Kuya are well aware of that and seem to be more prudent.
(If interested in the advocacy for family-friendly television, visit anaktvweb.

com or email the foundation at anaktv_seal@yahoo.com.)