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ON CLOSING DOWN
LIVE SHOW AND OTHER OBSCENITIES IN GMA'S ADMINISTRATION
NEWS RELEASE
22 March 2001
"Was it the exposure of the skin, the sex and sensuality? Or was it the exposure of social ills and the scandalous truths in Live Show that pushed Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to close it down?" This was the question posed by the militant women's group, GABRIELA following the pull-out of the movie, Live Show from theatres. GABRIELA also expressed its support for resigned MTRCB chair Nicanor Tiongson, for refusing to be an instrument of repression.
Liza Largoza-Maza, BAYAN MUNA Partylist Nominee and GABRIELA Secretary General said, "Why attack Live Show and not Ika-Pitong Gloria? GMA could have taken more offense and acted on the latter, or on countless other films which banked solely on the exploitation of women's bodies. Yet, she preferred to close down the one movie that tackled how very cruel our present society can be to women and men."
"Prostitution, including pagtotoro is the worst form of exploitation and dehumanization that women, men and children experience because of poverty. It is the worst that could happen to our children because of unemployment, lack of social services and landlessness. And indeed it is happening today, because we have leaders who refuse to confront and address these issues properly," Maza said.
Among the social issues also discussed in the movie included abortion, child labor and police brutality. "Issues tackled in the movie are issues that happen everyday, and in very alarming proportions. The truth is not malaswa or obscene. More obscene is this administration's display of spinelessness in front of the military and now the cardinal. More obscene is its attempts to ignore, sugarcoat or muffle the voices that mirror the truth, remaining oblivious to the plight and the demands of the people to whom she owes her presidency."
Maza also said that, "today's audience have reached a certain maturity. It is an insult to imply that today's youth cannot discern for themselves a good movie from trash. These are the same people who were able to discern good governance from bad, and decide against a corrupt and inept president. These are the same people who can and will give their ratings not just on movies. More importantly, people will be rating and bringing down corrupt presidents and government officials." ###
