[OPINION] PBB Unlimited: Playing Favorites? {Comments Off}
This season of Pinoy Big Brother, it’s becoming apparent that there are certain housemates that are given special treatment in terms of exposure, “favors” and worst of all, tolerance for violation of house rules.
Take for instance the over-exposure of the Kevin-Pamu tandem. It seems like everyday, both Unliday and Unlinight episodes feature segments of this pairing doing nothing but flirt with each other. Is there sense to the scenes being shown? No. In fact, the flirting showcased in these segments aggravate a lot of people, most especially Pamu’s boyfriend Renz. It is just sad that the production and staff do not care enough for other people’s feelings, just so they could do something to save the show’s flailing ratings.
Another disappointment is giving favors to certain housemates. Take for example Tin’s dogs visiting her inside the PBB house, not once but three times? Then there’s the personal visits, messages or phone calls from family. While most are incorporated in tasks, the production staff should at least be fair in giving these special privileges. Most of the remaining housemates have had a chance to see their loved ones (Biggel, Kevin via “The Great Road Trip”), received personal messages (Tin via recorded voice message, Deniesse via text messaging) or talked to them (Carlo, Divine, Slater via phone calls). Wendy and Pamu were “punished” for their flirtatious behavior with co-housemates (Carlo & Kevin) by having them see their real-life boyfriends. Even recently evicted housemate, Eting, was able to spend one-on-one time with his wife at one point. It is only Seiichi who has not had this privilege given to him.
We have privy information from Seiichi’s mother herself, Iris Helen Kangleon, that she has repeatedly tried to leave messages to the PBB staff so she could at least give encouraging words to her son whom she sees on TFC (Japan) as becoming lonely as a result of his struggles due to the language barrier. To this day, Seiichi is the only housemate who still has not received this potentially life-changing opportunity—especially since he has been nominated twice in a row, which anyone understands can be very devastating to someone who has had no contact of any kind with family for moral support.
The most controversial issue among these “irregularities” in the show is probably the fact that the staff is now blatantly tolerating violations done by a certain housemate. In the video below, it is quite clear that Deniesse violated one of the cardinal rules of Pinoy Big Brother:
In the video, it clearly shows Deniesse whispering to Divine. This video has apparently reached some PBB insiders [@JCSVargas of Twitter posted: "Lahat akala violation. Hindi lang po naka-stream ang audio sa kung ano ang pinapanuod ninyo. #Kthnanksbye"], but to no avail. Instead, we read/hear excuses. They must think that viewers are stupid. We may recall that former housemate Mark was evicted for similar grounds (Mark whispering to Ryan); but for Deniesse to do the same, staff just dismiss it saying it’s a technical issue? There is also that instance where Deniesse was heard asking PBBDU1 Big Winner, Melai, about how the viewers see her (Deniesse) in the outside world2 —that is also a violation of house rules (see video below).
Excuse me for saying this, but WTF!!! You people are blatantly showing the viewing public who you favor to stay despite violations. For others, you are quick to sanction, but for Deniesse who has not proven anything but stay true to form as her vulgar and scandalous self , you turn the blind eye? No wonder your ratings have been consistently dwindling.
For once, show your loyal viewers that there is no favoritism in the show… that you do not condone vulgar or scandalous behavior… that you don’t give special treatments. You owe it to your viewers to be transparent and honest. Do something right and redeem the show’s fame by choosing the most deserving among the housemates to become part of the Big Four, instead of choosing from among your personal favorites. This is supposed to be a reality show… so show what is REAL, and not what YOU THINK viewers should see and take as real. We are not as dumb as you think!
Is this a challenge for the PBB production staff? Most definitely. Will they take the challenge and do what is right? …the answer still remains to be seen.
- Video credits to Kyukai & Fourthnox for LS vids featured in this article.
