Rosanna Roces

Antonio Tinio, national chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), is saddened over the remarks that actress Rosanna Roces made about teachers in the Jan. 7 episode of the ABS-CBN top-rating variety program, “Showtime.”

Roces’ remarks, which seemingly disparaged teachers, prompted the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to order a 20-day preventive suspension on “Showtime” starting Jan. 11.

“Siyempre nakalulungkot 'yong mga binitiwang salita ni Rosanna Roces. Sina-suggest niya na wag i-galang, wag magbigay ng respeto sa mga teachers. Nagpapakita ‘to na baka hindi niya nauunawaan nang buo kung ano ang papel ng teachers at kung ano ang sakripisyo na ginagawa nila bilang pangalawang magulang.

“Ang mga magulang, minumura ba? Napakatinding paglalapastangan sa mga magulang [‘yan],” Tinio told Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online in a phone interview.

In the show, Roces, who sat as one of the guest judges, asked a member of a group from Calamba, Laguna, why National Hero Jose Rizal was named so when his parents’ names are Teodora Alonzo and Francisco Mercado.

When the contestant failed to answer, Roces blurted: “Murahin mo 'yong teacher mo, ha! Ako minura ko 'yong teacher ko nung hindi niya sinagot sa akin 'yan. Oo, walang hiya 'yang mga teacher na 'yan, hindi sinasabi 'yong totoo sa atin eh!”

She added: “Pero mga kabataan, huwag kayong makuntento sa itinuturo ng libro at ng teacher. Magtatanong po kayo, hindi masama iyon. Oo, dahil ang mga teachers, they were just repeaters. Itinuturo nila kung ano ang itinuro sa kanila. Hindi na nila itinuturo kung ano ang gustong malaman ng mga bata. 'Yan, isang trivia para sa 'yo. Hanapin mo. I-Wikipedia mo, malalaman mo.”

Tinio said that her “unfortunate comments” brought about untoward consequences to the entire show and its staff.

“Bukod sa nakasakit sa maraming mga teachers, ay napahamak din 'yong mga ka-trabaho niya, mga kapwa artista at maging 'yong buong production. May mga nagtatrabaho diyan na ordinaryong mamamayan tapos mga artista at manggagawa sa showbiz, naapektuhan diyan ang kabuhayan. Kaya unfortunate talaga 'yong buong incident,” he related.

For Tinio, Roces’ removal from the roster of judges on Jan. 8 is enough of a penalty, deeming MTRCB’s sanction on the show “too much.”

“Ako personally ang tingin ko mas mainam sana kung naka-direct lang kay Rosanna Roces 'yong penalty dahil isang tao lang naman ang nagkamali. Tama lang na may parusa, di naman dapat 'yong buong show. May mga naghahanap-buhay diyan, di lang naman mga artista. Hindi na kailangan, sobra na 'yong pag-suspend sa buong show.”

While he affirmed that the educational system is not perfect, Tinio requested the public, particularly parents, to address problems and issues through the proper panel.

“Kung may mga puna ang mga magulang sa mga teachers, dapat idaan sa tamang mga panel, sabi nga. Kung may mga puna ipaabot sa mga teachers sa pamamagitan halimbawa ng PTA (Parent-Teachers Association)…maging aktibo sa PTA, [imbes na sabihin] in front of national TV na makakasakit.”

ABS-CBN management, which has a hearing with MTRCB on Jan. 14, said they will appeal for the suspension to be lifted since the station had undertaken self-regulation.

“A preventive suspension is issued to stop further violations, if there were any committed, or for the interest or welfare of the public. Thus, the network questions the need for said preventive suspension when Rosanna Roces has already been removed from the program,” said the network’s Corporate Communications arm in an official statement.

Roces has not commented on the matter as of this writing.

Meanwhile, fans of the show have started an online petition to “stop the suspension of Showtime.”

“Kami mga madlang pipol ay hindi papayag na masuspinde ang number 1 noontime show! Showtime number 1! Stop the suspension and listen to ABS-CBN's side first before you actually piss,” the petitioner declared.

While the suspension is in effect, the show is replaced by “Magpasikat” beginning Jan. 12, a showcase of celebrities’ talents. It will still be hosted by “Showtime” hosts Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro and Kim Atienza.