3.09.2009

ABS-CBN apologizes for the Maalala Mo Kaya Blusa episode


After the UPLB demanded for apology, the Maalala mo Kaya investigated the truth about the story sent by the sister of the alleged UPLB summa cum laude graduate who became mentally deranged.

This is the story from PEP.

In the March 1 episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, Angel Locsin and Dimples Romana were cast as sisters living in the province. Dimples's character was forced to work as a maid, but Angel's character worked hard to finish her degree from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Neema (Angel) finished as a summa cum laude graduate but she had great difficulty looking for a job. When someone suggested that she become a nightclub dancer, the desperate Neema found herself applying as a GRO in the city.



As the story progressed, it was shown that Neema became mentally unstable after encountering several problems with her family, leading her to become a vagrant (taong grasa).



Ever since the episode was aired, alumni of UP have reacted adversely to the said life story shown on drama anthology show of ABS-CBN. In fact, officials of UP Los Baños issued a statement saying that they do not have an alumna that matches the life story presented by MMK. (Click HERE to read the full statement of UPLB.)



In response to the call of UPLB officials for ABS-CBN to "set the record straight," its Corporate Communications department has issued the following statement (published as is):



"Storytelling in Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) is always based on narratives sent to the program by people who want to share their stories. MMK decides to go into production of the chosen stories, ONLY after the letter sender has signed a waiver attesting to the authenticity of the story sent.



"MMK recognizes that a number of UPLB alumni are questioning the truthfulness of one letter sender who claims that her sister, the main character in 'Blusa' essayed by Ms. Angel Locsin, was indeed a UPLB BS AgriBusiness, summa cum laude graduate, who could not find a job and ended up as a stripper.



"When MMK found out about the adverse reactions, the MMK production group went back to the letter sender to inform her of the issue raised and to re-verify her account. She reiterated that she stands by her story.



"Be that as it may, and after careful deliberation, MMK realizes that its writing and research pool may have been remiss in one thing—verifying with UPLB the veracity of the indicated facts of the letter sender. Having said that, MMK sincerely apologizes for the oversight.



"MMK always aims for truth and excellence. This incident may have deviated from its tight norm, but rest assured that MMK will continue to serve its publics with utmost care and respect."

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