Dino Manrique posted in FB his disappointment when ANC cut short its live coverage in favor of a Justin Bieber news. It might be ratings. For there was no graphic or explicit happenstance, why not switch it to any other news? Or maybe you're right! It was at that moment when topic was on legal matters that ANC thought it wasn't in-line with their biases. Oops! I mean, story angle. Look at the stories today of PDI: "2 National Artists frown on Mideo Cruz's 'shock art'", "F. Sionil Jose calls Mideo Cruz immature, juvenile", etc. That's their preferred angle.
So what should be the scoop and manner to be newsworthy?
It is how Marc Logan insinuated things on how to methodically kill Mideo, "Will you beat him up when you see him? Stab him, strangle him or push him into a creek? But before this, will you make him drink muriatic acid and then have him shot by a motorcycle-riding tandem?". It is Anthony Taberna's rants. Mike Enriquez, Ted Failon and the Inquirer editorial. It is Fra. Paolo Maria Diosdado Granados Casurao, a Franciscan Friar, saying "May the families of those who rejoice in the insult against heaven be cursed for seven generations, and may their households be consumed with misery for the same length of time."
It is the anger, hatred and insults from Facebook false account owners shouting fuck you, sick, and blood to Mideo and to all the supporters of free expression. It is the continuous death threats that he's receiving. It is the continuous agony of his wife and family.
Yesterday, Mideo wasn't there for reasons we can guess. And going back to Dino's disappointments on ANC, I hope my shaky hand and slow bandwidth can be of help. Here are some of the sound bites that might be of interest from yesterday's Senate discussion. Senators Chiz Escudero and Kiko Pangilinan; CCP Chair Emily Abrera; Dean Raul Pangalangan and Atty. Florin Hilbay of the UP Law School; and National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulmari Aisa Imao.
