Mike De Leon Compares ABS-CBN Ball To Marcos Parties
Citizen Jake director Mike De Leon has one question about the ABS-CBN Ball. On Citizen Jake’s Facebook page, he wrote: “Many people will not like this question but I have to ask it—In these dark times of murder and hunger, who really needs the ABS-CBN ball?”
The event, which was held on September 29, 2018 at the Shangri-La Makati, was the first-ever ABS-CBN Ball, putting together the network’s biggest stars for one glamorous night. The party, which trended over the weekend, was held for the benefit of Bantay Bata.
De Leon likened the ABS-CBN to the extravagant parties of Imelda Marcos when Ferdinand Marcos was still president. "Bread and Circuses again a la Imelda Marcos” he wrote, with a photo of Showtime hosts Vice Ganda and Ryan Bang.
The people of the Internet, however, defended the ball, asserting that it was a private party whereas the Marcoses used public funds.
One Geri Lin replied to De Leon, saying "Direk kaya nga love na love kita eh! U got that spunk to speak out...Kaso privately funded po iyan hindi government funds..." De Leon, however, replied that that was beside the point.
"Privately funded nga, but there are more sensible ways to promote a noble cause...Parang yung sinabi ni Marie Antoinette nung naghihirap na ang mga Pranses at walang makain, 'Let them eat cake.'"
Aldene Jose Lapating Duyag, meanwhile, commented: "It was a fund raising event at the same time for abused children." De Leon then countered, "So why exploit abused children further? Anyway, as I said, many will not like the question. Pero please naman, don't be naive. It's just showbiz exploitation...Kung Hollywood pa, ok lang siguro, but in third world country like ours?"
Here are De Leon’s other responses:
De Leon was recently in headlines for issues with Citizen Jake headliner Atom Araullo.
This story originally appeared on Pep.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.
