DNA in Manila

I don't normally watch TV. Not because I don't like to, but because I have absolutely no time. Today was one of the few days that I have enough time to sit down and hold the remote control.

My habit is to start scanning the channels - starting from Channel 1-100+ - to see if there's anything interesting for me. I started with the lowest one, Channel 6, which is the assigned channel for ABS-CBN, one of the largest network in the Philippines. I don't really watch local channels, so I was ready to press the 'next' button on the remote when the video on Channel 6 made me stop.

On the screen were girls and BOYS wearing black leotards and stockings, gyrating to the tune of "Single Ladies" by Beyonce. Okay, for some, there's nothing wrong with it. But not for me. It was not right!

It was supposed to be a children show, for goodness sake! Children shows should be entertaining and educational at the same time! But where is the educational value there when they show kids, again, girls AND BOYS, wearing skimpy clothes and gyrating their bodies on the dance floor.

Call me prude, but I have two boys who are asking me why those boys are wearing leotards and stockings, when they are not dancing the ballet? Should I tell them that it's normal and that's the way to go?! No way!

I dance. I like to dance, and I also dance those moves sometimes. Nothing wrong with it, yes. So why am I so worked up with this show? Well, because I don't want my boys to think that it's the norm for their age, including - and especially - cross-dressing!

For a TV network who has the responsibility to teach young kids right from wrong, where's the sense in all that? That dance number wasn't funny, nor cute at all. It's was very much in poor taste.