Mike De Leon scrutinizes ABS-CBN Ball

Bato-bato sa langit… ang tamaan… At salamat sa lahat ng mga nag-comment. It should now become even more clear to thinking Filipinos that religion is no longer the opium of the people, it is showbiz. People now become more upset by a legitimate question about priorities (like this ball) than the political helhole we all find ourselves in presently. We are truly a damaged people. Kaawa-awang Pilipinas… (Photo & Caption: Mike De Leon via Citizen Jake/Facebook)

Director Mike De Leon spoke out about his opinions on the ‘irrelevance’ of the ABS-CBN Ball in today’s society.

In a Facebook post shared through the Citizen Jake Facebook page on Tuesday, October 1, he captioned a photo of Vice Ganda and Ryan Bang walking the red carpet saying, “Many people will not like this question, but I have to ask it – in these dark times of murder and hunger, who really needs the ABS-CBN Ball?” He even called out the event to be like propaganda during the Marcos regime.

Many responded calling De Leon out for disregarding the fact that the event was in support of Bantay Bata 163, which is a child welfare program. Facebook user Regie Que replied to what he said, saying, “It’s a network event and that has nothing to do with the present situation of our country.”

He fired back standing by his opinion that it’s “just showbiz exploitation,” saying in Filipino, “it’s privately funded, but there are more sensible ways to promote a noble cause.”

When talking about sharing his unpopular opinion, he stated “We didn’t say they had no right. They can do what they want but let them also be prepared for any kind of reaction people may have. As we said, maybe a lot will get mad at our opinions, but there’s a lot that will also agree. Celebrities are public property. They should learn to take the good with the bad.”

Although most of the comments disagree with De Leon, he also received support. An account by the name of Forti Suarez said, “The ABS-CBN Ball further promotes a culture of escapism to avoid the grim and cruel reality rather than deal with it. Show opulence and lavishness while corruption, murder, poverty, abuse of power, are swept under the rug.”