MANILA, Philippines — It was children’s TV writer and fellow child rights advocate Augie Rivera who first led us to the Youtube link that showed clips of the now controversial JanJan gyrating on national television.

Rivera minced no words.

“Nakaririmarim, nakapanlulumo (horrifying, demoralizing)…. another low point in Philippine television.”

The same powerful words adorn his statements lodged online in blogs and online discussion groups.

Expectedly, the more squeamish penal in the discussions rooted for JanJan and castigated both host Willie Revillame and the boy’s parents for causing the boy’s humiliation. The more rabid TV5 and Revillame fans were all in defense of the show and its host, at one time wondering why there was too much fuss over a molehill incident while government crooks continued
enjoying their untouchability.

MTRCB chair Grace Poe Llamanzares also felt the pinch and heat and posthaste sent a message to AnakTV saying that a meeting had been called precisely to assess if the program, the host, or the station committed infractions as alleged in the numerous complaints they received. She alerted everyone to visit their website for their stand on the issue and to date, has called for a committee to investigate.

Llamanzares mulled over the situation: “It is easy to be overwhelmed and to lose focus. I thank Anak TV for reminding us of our most important priority and that is to uphold and protect the welfare of our viewers, especially the children.”

All this happened as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) raised a cry against the blatant emotional abuse heaped on the poor six year-old, even as the Commission on Human Rights began its own investigation.

TV 5, in trying to temper the already steamy issue, declared it will henceforth not allow children to join their on-air contests. The station will also conduct its own probe.

Why all the investigation is happening a good two weeks after the incident is beyond us. We wonder where the guardians of morality were on March 12, the actual broadcast date. Why the clip had to become a viral feature on cyberspace before local NGOs, concerned parents and government agencies raised a howl is quizzical.

(If interested in the advocacy for family-friendly television, visit anaktvweb.com or email the foundation at anaktv_seal@yahoo.com.)