PH ‘Carving Capital’ cries foul over TV horror special

MANILA, Philippines — The municipal council of Paete, Laguna, demanded a public “clarification” from a TV production team over a Halloween feature that officials said associated the town’s centuries-old woodcarving tradition with curses and demonic forces.

The show, GMA Network’s “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS),” later issued an apology, saying it did not intend to undermine the reputation, livelihood and cultural heritage of Paete’s woodcarvers.

In a resolution unanimously approved on Nov. 3, the council called on the network and the program’s production team to address concerns over the KMJS segment titled “Ukit (Carving),” which aired on Nov. 1.

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The segment featured the woodcarvings of a local sculptor, Pio Fadul.

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READ: ‘KMJS’ issues clarification, apology over woodcarver feature in ‘Gabi ng Lagim’

The council said the presentation misleadingly associated the artworks with supernatural and demonic elements, including cursed objects, despite making a brief explanation attributing the supposed curses to the wood material used and not to the sculptor’s intentions.

Bad for image

The overall portrayal could damage the reputation of Fadul, his family and other local artisans, as well as Paete’s image as the “Carving Capital of the Philippines,” it said.

The resolution also cited the remarks made by Nathan Reyes, guitarist of the band Lily, which supposedly reinforced that notion.

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The municipal government clarified that neither the mayor nor the local administration distributed cursed carvings to guests or members of the band.

READ: Jessica Soho headlines horror flick ‘KMJS Gabi ng Lagim’

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Such sensationalized portrayals could scare away buyers, tourists and collectors who may be interested in Paete’s products, it added.

The resolution was signed by Paete Vice Mayor Lorena Velasco and the council members, and was endorsed by Mayor Ronald Cosico.

‘Never our intention’

In its public apology, KMJS said it respected Fadul’s craftsmanship and the artistry of Paete’s woodcarvers, and that it had reached out to the sculptor and his family to hear their side.

The show clarified that the Halloween feature focused on experiences linked to one particular work and should not be taken as a sweeping portrayal of Fadul’s other creations or Paete’s woodcarving tradition in general.

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“We understand that the report may affect Paete’s woodcarving industry, and it was never our intention to undermine confidence in their art and livelihood,” the program said in Filipino. /cb