Baliwag City Mayor calls out 'About Kamay Na Pangarap,' GMA takes action
By Neil Ramos
Baliwag City Mayor Ferdie Estrella took to social media recently to express his disappointment relating an episode of GMA’s TV series “Abot Kamay Na Pangarap.”
Apparently, he didn’t like it that the city’s name was seemingly used in describing a mentally deranged person.
In the said scene that aired Feb. 14, Pinky Amador’s character is seen speaking to herself.
Jackie Lou Blanco’s character then uttered, “Nagdedeliryo na… Papunta na ito sa Baliwag, Bulacan.”
In his official statement concerning the issue, Estrella said, “Sa naging dayalogo ay ginawang katatawanan ang Baliwag, Bulacan. Ito ay nakakalungkot dahil nagpapamalas ito ng kakapusan sa kaalaman at kawalan ng sensibilidad sa mga mahahalagang issues.”

Estrella went on to explain, “Marami ang itinuturing na pinagmulan ng pangalan ng Baliwag ngunit hindi isa rito ang salitang baliw. Bago gamitin ang ngalan ng isang lugar, nararapat lamang na isaalang-alang ang kasaysayan nito para akmang mailapat sa konteksto ng isang palabas.”
Estrella also pointed out that the scene could be considered offensive to those suffering from mental illness.
“Ang Lungsod ng Baliwag ay isa sa mga nagtataguyod ng adbokasiya sa mental health, kaya naman hindi rin kami sumasang-ayon sa pagpapalabas ng nakakasirang tema lalo pa at ikinakabit ang Baliwag bilang punchline o bagong katawagan para makapangpahiya ng sinuman,” he maintained.
“Kaya naman kinokondena namin ang iresponsableng pagsusulat ng iskrip at pagpapalabas nito,” he stressed. “Nawa ay hindi na ito maulit, magsilbing aral, at makalikha ng kamalayan para sa mga susunod pa na palabas at iba pang pagtatanghal.”
GMA Assistant Vice President for Drama Ali Nokom was quick to take action on the matter, reaching out to Mayor Ferdie Estrella on behalf of the program.
They are set to meet with him on Monday, Feb. 19, to deliver the apology letter personally.