A fuming Coco Martin lashed back at proponents and supporters of ABS-CBN’s shutdown that is set to displace 11,000 workers, including talents and crew of the shows it regularly airs, including his top-rating series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.
In the “Laban Kapamilya” Facebook live event on Friday, May 8, that drew over 50,000 viewers in a digital mobilization effort to bring the Kapamilya network back on air, Coco was livid at government efforts to stop the station’s broadcast, saying it was time for action.
Coco said that diplomacy is over in resolving the matter.
“Binarubal na tayo eh. Tinarantado na tayo eh. Kinuha na bahay (ABS-CBN) natin. Ano i-expect natin? ‘Di ba? ‘Pagdadasal natin sila? Pinagdasal na natin sila. Tiniis na natin sila. Dapat kumilos tayo. Dapat magsalita tayo. Dapat ang lahat ng mga artista iparinig nyo ano nawala sa atin,” he said.
He called on Kapamilya workers and artists not to take this sitting down.
“’Yung 11,000 na nasa ABS-CBN, iparinig n’yo. Kasi aabusuhin tayo n’yan. Para tayong batang kinotongan, pagkatapos ‘pag nagkita kayo, ano i-expect mo? Ito ang pagkakataon natin. Wala na tayong trabaho, ano’ng iniingatan natin?,” Coco added.
Since this would certainly affect his family, Coco was even more incensed, “’Pag pamilya ko kinanti. Kahit sino ka pa, lalaban ako nang patayan. Kahit patayin n’yo na ko.”
This came after Coco took advantage of the online event to finally let out his pent up emotions and thoughts regarding the issue.
He would score the government for stopping ABS-CBN’s operations, which is leading efforts in helping and supporting a country facing a pandemic.
“Anong klaseng (mga) tao ito? Sa gitna ng pandemya, sa gitna ng nangyayari sa bansa, nauna n’yo pa isipin na ipasara ang ABS-CBN kaysa tugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating bansa?” he stressed.
Coco would also question what he deemed as the government’s erring priorities.
“Ano po ang uunahin ngayon, tanggalin ang kumpanya na tumutulong sa ating kapwa, sa lahat ng Pilipino o ‘yung sugal na pinapasok sa ating bansa. Buti pa ang POGO pinaglalaban n’yo. Itong tumutulong sa lahat ng tao ngayon, pinasara n’yo. Ano ‘yun?,” Coco said, referring to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Coco would also express dismay that the cease in ABS-CBN operations would not only affect their livelihood, but also prevent them from giving back to the people.
He also showed his gratitude to the network for launching and maintaining a meteoric career that led him to reach his dreams of bringing estranged members of his family together under one roof. As such, the halt in ABS-CBN’s broadcast is something that would not make him stay silent.
“Kung hindi marinig ng mga tao ang mga nasa dibdib namin, ang hinininaing namin, nasa isip namin, sino po ang gagawa? Lahat kami matatakot? Ang gagawin namin sa bahay namin, magti-TikTok para mapaligaya po kayo?”
Coco thanked the network that not only made him live his dreams, but also provided him the opportunity to give back.
“Wala po akong talento, ang liit ko, ang pangit ko, ang itim ko, bulol ako, ‘di marunong mag-Ingles. Wala akong kapasidad, wala akong katangian maging artista, Pero hindi ‘yun ang tininingnan ng ABS-CBN. Tiningnan nila kung ano ang kapasidad mo para magtrabaho at ipakita ang talento mo,” he noted.
WATCH: Kapamilya stars, matapang na naglabas ng tunay na damdamin sa pagpapasara sa ABS-CBN
*Video courtesy: Kim Chiu's FB