After Vice Ganda’s comment on Idol PH and the successful airings of Darna and Maria Clara at Ibarra, it seems the ‘drama’ within the biggest networks in the country is back.
The two biggest television networks in the Philippines have been butting heads for the last two decades, as both have always claimed they’re the most-watched network in the country. And of course, loyal Filipino viewers of these stations have gotten themselves involved in the decades-old “network wars” that has its own Tropedia entry.
Network Wars
Needless to say, everything has become a ‘word war’ for network fans on social media. Fans pit artists and TV shows against each other, doing polls and surveys to determine who is more ‘popular’
But why has it resurfaced again?
Recent events has sparked the war between fans. An example of this is Vice Ganda’s “shade” he made during an episode on Idol Philippines Season 2, in which he said, ‘sana mag stay ka muna sa network na to’ (I hope stay with this network (ABS-CBN) first).
This statement was interpreted by many people as a comment to Idol Philippines’ first winner, Zephanie.
[Tweet translation: Don’t get us wrong, Vice Ganda. We know that somehow if not because of you, Zephanie won’t be on the Top 12. But if you really care, you didn’t have to do that on national TV.]
Fans of Zephanie were livid with this the TV Host’s comment, with some stating that this was being insensitive and inconsiderate of the young singer’s situation.
Some fans did agree with Vice, saying they feel like Zephanie should have stayed in the network for a while.
A few weeks after this issue, fans shifted their attention to the network’s new prime time TV releases: The comeback of the classic Filipino Heroine Darna and the fantasy series based on Noli Me Tangere, Maria Clara at Ibarra.
Fans have started comparing the shows, arguing about which story is more compelling and what production has more budget and value.
Some Twitter users did acknowledge that we may be seeing the golden age of Philippine Television with the recent release of quality shows in the country.
‘Ceasefire’
Although their competition has always been neck on neck, there were notable times when both networks acknowledged the strength and contributions of one another. During ABS-CBN’s shutdown, ABS-CBN thanked GMA for the support and solidarity they got from its talents.
For now, we can only tune in to see what these networks will be coming up with in the next couple of years, and what the fans will be doing to show support for their favorite TV channel.
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