The Mayor of Baliuag calls out Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap over the February 14 episode
ABOT-KAMAY NA PANGARAP – The GMA Network drama faced backlash from the Baliuag City Government for featuring the name of their locality in a derogatory context. The specific episode aired on February 14, 2024, depicted a character using “Baliw” as a term synonymous with ‘crazy’ or someone with mental health issues.
In response, Baliuag Mayor Ferdie Estrella emphasized that the name of their city does not derive from the term ‘crazy’ but rather has historical significance related to depth and profundity. He cited historical references dating back to the 1800s, indicating that the name reflects attributes such as the presence of deep rivers and possibly metaphorical depths of character among residents.
Mayor Estrella criticized the show’s writers for disrespecting the city’s name and the individuals dealing with mental health issues. He highlighted that Baliuag actively advocates for mental health awareness, making it inappropriate to use the city’s name as a punchline or derogatory term.
Furthermore, he underscored the responsibility of television shows as forms of art and entertainment to provide accurate information, express ideas respectfully, and promote enjoyment while respecting others, their culture, and society.
As of now, the production team of ‘Abot-Kamay na Pangarap’ has not issued a statement addressing the controversy. Here’s the official statement of Baliuag Mayor Ferdie Estrella:
Meanwhile, “Abot-Kamay na Pangarap” is a Filipino medical drama series aired by GMA Network, based on the 1996 film of the same name. Directed by L.A. Madridejos, it features Carmina Villarroel and Jillian Ward in leading roles. Premiered on September 5, 2022, it replaced “Apoy sa Langit” and has become the network’s longest-running drama series in the 21st century. The show streams online on YouTube. The cast includes Carmina Villarroel as Lyneth Santos and Jillian Ward as Analyn Santos, with Richard Yap, Dominic Ochoa, and Pinky Amador among the supporting cast.
