From a Concerned Mother

March 29, 2011

video

I just added a link to the video if a 6 year old boy who joined a mini game in the show of Willie Revillame as we all know Willing Willie. Amidst the laughter and cheering of the host and audience, you can clearly see that the boy never cracked a smile. The whole time that he was talked to by the host, his facial expression was somber. And when the music was giving him the cue to start dancing, he started crying but he still danced on. Sad to say that Willie, the audience and even some viewers at home was enjoying at the expense of the boy's humiliation in national tv and now the world. Fine, he was doing it for his family because he earned some money dancing away. But dancing the way he did was utterly diminishing what little dignity he had. It was simply below the belt. And Willie continued to embarrass the boy by letting Jan-jan dance even after the talent portion and mini show was finished. For the life of me I cannot understand the boy's tita cheering him on for a mere hug and P3,000 Willie gave her. Was that the worth of her self-respect? And P10,000 was the boy's life worth?

Did they not think even for just a second what if it was their own son doing such dance? What was going on their minds while applauding for the boy?

I am a mother of two sons and they love to dance. But not the dance that Jan-jan did. That kind of dance is seen in night clubs and for adults only. Or maybe I am just trying to overlook that these kind of shows have sexy dancers doing the same dance on prime time television. That's why as much as I can I check the shows that my kids watch. For Jan-jan, it was his father and his tita who taught him such dance. I can't judge them harshly as life may be harsh to them to do such desperate moves to win some cash to augment their daily living costs sacrificing their child for a few minutes in a show. Is that what these shows push the people to do? Losing their dignity just to have some easy money. To those who are willing it can be but to do that to a child is such exploitation and harassment. People may dismiss it and forget it someday but for Jan-jan he will bring that memory to him until he grows up and I fervently hope and pray that it does not define his future.