Entertainment
ABS-CBN apologizes to Butuenos for city depiction in ‘A Soldiers’s Heart’
FILE: The cast of ‘A Soldier’s Heart’ led by Gerald Anderson and Sue Ramirez pay a courtesy call to the Philippine Army Commanding General here today, January 10. (Photo: Philippine Army/Facebook)
Praises showered one of ABS-CBN’s newest shows in primetime, “A Soldier’s Heart” for tackling the life of soldiers, the topic of difference in religion in the country, and the theme of family. However, the network apologized after it drew criticism for the show’s mention of Butuan City as a “hotbed of chaos.”
Agusan del Norte 1st District Representative Lawrence Fortun issued a statement regarding the show’s “unrealistic” and “offensive” portrayal of Butuan City.
“As a Butuanon who was born and raised in a city that was and has never been known to be a hub of extremism and terrorism, I am dismayed by the portrayal of Butuan as a hotbed of chaos,” he said.
Fortun added, “The depiction is not only unrealistic, it is offensive because it is destroying the collective efforts of the people of Butuan to promote the Home of the Balangays as a tourist destination for history and culture and a hub of opportunities.”
The lawmaker also cited that ABS-CBN should have learned its “lessons” when “Bagani,” one of its shows in 2018 also gained criticisms.
Fortun included in his statement that he supports the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
The Kapamilya network addressed a statement of apology after Fortun’s dismay
“ABS-CBN would like to apologize to Agusan Del Norte Re. Lawrence Fortun and the people of Butuan City if the scenes in the TV series ‘A Soldier’s Heart’ have offended them. While the incident portrayed in the series was fictitious, there was mention of the city name,” it stated.
ABS-CBN explained that it did not have a “deliberate intention” to portray the city negatively.
“We acknowledge that Butuan is one of the most beautiful and peaceful cities in the country,” it added.
“A Soldier’s Heart” follows the story of different soldiers in the Philippine military, starring Gerald Anderson, Carlo Aquino, Vin Abrenica, Sue Ramirez, Elmo Magalona, Jerome Ponce, Yves Flores, and Nash Aguas for the main cast.
