Cebuano entertainers need our help!

[Ritchie D. Nolasco]

---

I don't know with you, but I am a strong support for local showbiz. Our island is rich with thousands of world-class dancers, some singers, a few actors, and more.

I browsed these forums and saw that Catsteven Betonio (twice a published letter writer to Sun*Star Cebu) attacked our beloved showbiz locals.

https://www.istorya.net/forums/tvs-an...o-showbiz.html

This is not the way for Cebu to build up a world-class entertainment industry. I prefer showbiz to be godless and free of religious influence.

There is nothing immoral about entertaining others. The notable Cebuano variety shows - Singgit Cebu (cancelled by GMA Cebu and followed by a court case), Oi! Show Nato Ni and Sabado Na Gyud - are all great shows in my opinion. Oh yes, did you watch yesterday's GMA Kapuso show at the Ayala Center? Those entertainers were great!

How can we make a world class showbiz industry? We must support them by attending shows, donating money to local indie filmmakers, push Bigfoot in Mactan to invest more money to local films, watch exclusively Cebuano-language variety shows on TV, attend BisRock concerts, watch local comedians at comedy shows, and more.

[leonell]

I think if we'll be able to utilize the modern bigfoot studios in Mactan and soon the SRP studios.................... we will be the only southern ETHNIC group to rival with MANILA's showbiz dominance. Of course our main viewers will be those south of Philippines because Cebuano has been the vastly spoken language in the south with 20,000,000 speakers. Our quality films can be an advantage not just to us but also to our southern counterparts who will be able to shine with their own language.

[showtime]

that would be nice. all we need is a good writers and producers and a unique story line. hehehehe

[nirdle_phogi]

that would be nice. all we need is a good writers and producers and a unique story line. hehehehe

and worldclass filmmakers..

[sharkey360]

As far as entertainment goes, Cebu has great potential in film. The most promising screenwriters and directors, as well as resourceful producers have yet to come out. This lag is dragging Cebu's movie potential.

On other forms of entertainment, singers and rock bands (Visayan Rock) deserve big audiences as well as resources from producers willing to invest on them.

Television? I don't know with you but I think the variety shows have to go. Do many people actually watch them? Variety shows, be it based in Manila or locally, are just a waste of time, and those who want to showcase their talents on the TV screen should go elsewhere. One more thing - those variety shows have so much over-acting. It's so annoying!

[kamikaze_007]

..nindot ta tong bisrock sa una..kato gyud "GUGMANG GIATAY"..the best..

..pero nagkadugay nagka wala namay unod ang mga kanta sa ubang bisrock bands..ako mismo na bisdak wa na kasabot sa kanta..

[sharkey360]

One of my friends told me that Catholic influence on society somehow has a stranglehold on the freedom of expression and artistry of local entertainers and models. Due to this, she alleged that entertainers are scared of being blasted as "whores" or "immoral people" if they try to be daring or be edgy

Has anyone here watched a local variety show/gathering on location recently?

I think if we'll be able to utilize the modern bigfoot studios in Mactan and soon the SRP studios.................... we will be the only southern ETHNIC group to rival with MANILA's showbiz dominance. Of course our main viewers will be those south of Philippines because Cebuano has been the vastly spoken language in the south with 20,000,000 speakers. Our quality films can be an advantage not just to us but also to our southern counterparts who will be able to shine with their own language.

Are there many productions going on at Bigfoot?

A local newspaper writer acknowledged the poor health of local showbiz, as well as how it affects the young members of society.

SPOTLIGHTER Dina Layam of Aznar road e-mailed her thoughts regarding some high school students who quit school in favor of show business. She wrote that she has a neighbor, a 15-year-old student, who stopped going to school simply because of her passion in dancing. Dina added that the student and some of her friends, who are also dropouts, formed a cultural dance troupe. They hope to get hired by event organizers and two major television networks.

* * *

DINA added: “Pursuing one’s dream is good but in my honest opinion, doing it at the expense of education is not only wrong but also highly immoral and irresponsible. As for Cebuano showbiz, there is really no industry existing (the Visayan rock band scene is an exception). Shows featuring cultural dancing are not abundant and the take-home pay never reaches P1,000. Even dancing on local television attracts a non-existent audience.”

* * *

THIS writer agrees with Dina’s observation that with the poor health of Cebuano showbiz, it’s best for high school students to stay away from that “industry” and stay in school instead. She also asked them to be vigilant about dishonest talent agents and show organizers who will no doubt exploit their ignorance and weakness.

Not so long ago, the DepEd Region 7 people revealed that the dropout rate among high school students increased for the 3rd straight year.

What can you guys say about the plight of local entertainers? Is showbiz worth dropping out for?

When you guys watch a local variety show, do you really enjoy watching those so-called talents?

[bigVince]

Try to ask yourself kung kanang so-called local talents we have here are pure locals gyud. Kung pure cebuano/a ilang ganahan ipa artista kanang silang Goliath, Teban, etc.. dapat ayaw ng mga hulagway na klaro kaaung naay mga lahing foregner or unsa ba diha. Local Talents man kaha?!

[sharkey360]

What are the common gripes of Cebu's cultural dancers?

1. Perceived "low" pay of P300 a day

Note: I think P300 is fair since it is higher than Region VII's minimum wage, and the dancing does not even last half a day. Janitors and other minimum wage earners have to work the entire day for their pay.

2. "Lack" of pay and benefits for extreme or long shows.

I heard that some Sinulog dancers, who dance the entire day of the festival, are "not compensated enough", although they get to wear full costumes that were provided.

[Seishiro]

@CatStevenBetonio: you are judging people from their outright appearances without even knowing what they are inside. I am under the impression that you are being a hypocrite, a great sin against your religion. What exactly do you want the entertainment scene to be? You are pushing values but you don't give your ideas at all.