PinoyDad.com

There’s no question that the GMA7 show Bubble Gang is one of the more popular comedy shows in prime time television. I myself enjoyed, and still enjoy (whenever I have the time), watching it. The demands of work, as well as the fact that I’m too tired to watch anything after a long, grueling weekend, prevented me from watching it for a long time now.

So when I finally got the chance to watch it some weeks back, it was a reunion of sorts, except that I thought something just doesn’t feel right. Maybe it’s because I haven’t watched the show for some time. Maybe I’m just growing old and no longer appreciate some of the humor. Or maybe it’s because I now have a child.

One skit in particular stands out in my mind. It’s the joke about a child (played by Ogie Alcasid) and her nanny or “yaya” (played by Michael V). Among the repeated phrases revolves around “you’re such a loser, yaya”.

I wouldn’t say it’s done in poor taste, but I would say I’m not smiling watching that skit. I wouldn’t dream of my child treating his “yaya” that way (or any form of maltreatment, verbal or otherwise). You probably would want your child to treat everybody — including the very person with whom you entrust your child’s care while you’re away — with respect.

Yes, it’s just a show. Problem is, many children are also watching the show. Considering that children are prone to copying what they see on TV (or in life in general), it’s arguable that the particular “yaya” skit will have an impact on them. Besides, the mere fact that we consider such skit as funny reveals the way we view “yayas”.

They should be treated with respect. Any parent whose “yaya” left or is on vacation would know the difficulty of their work. It’s not easy to be left with a kid all day, at least as far as I’m concerned, and it’s much harder  to find a good “yaya”. And it doesn’t help when we go on national television ridiculing them, even if it’s just for fun. But that’s just me.