Former PBA Reporter Ira Pablo Alleges That She Lost Her Job Because of Her Appearance
IRA PABLO – A former reporter for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) opened up about her experience of losing her job due to her physical appearance. Currently a courtside reporter at UNTV Sports, Pablo shared her story on Facebook, revealing that she was dismissed from her role as a PBA reporter because she was labeled as “mataba.”
Pablo expressed that being a PBA reporter had been her lifelong dream, inspired by her father, retired basketball player Vic Pablo. After gaining six years of experience as a collegiate courtside reporter, she was ecstatic to be invited to cover PBA games in 2022, viewing it as a dream come true. However, after covering only ten games, she suddenly found herself without any assignments, leading to confusion about her status.
When auditions for new reporters were held, Pablo did not receive any communication regarding her replacement. She noticed that the new hires were all petite women, many of whom had minimal experience in sports reporting. According to Pablo, the head of the network—a woman—did not want plus-sized reporters, and she claimed that her body type was the primary reason for her dismissal.
Disappointed by the objectification of women in a male-dominated industry, Pablo highlighted the support she received from her male colleagues, who provided constructive feedback on her reporting skills. In contrast, she noted that some female colleagues focused more on her appearance than her abilities.
Despite the challenges, Pablo emphasized that her time as a courtside reporter was valuable and that her worth should not be defined by her weight. Following her post, many former colleagues shared similar experiences of being dismissed for trivial reasons, sparking a discussion about discrimination in the workplace.
Pablo concluded by stating that her journey in the PBA allowed her to advocate for those who cannot speak up, especially for her children. She ended with a powerful message: “Never underestimate the power of a providing mother.”