The boy, nicknamed Jan-jan, is only six years old. He was featured as a contestant in a popular game show in the Philippines, “Willing Willie.” When he was asked what his “talent” was, he said dancing. And so he danced.

Jan-jan gyrated in front of the camera like a “macho dancer” in a gay bar would. When I saw the video on YouTube, I was expecting the host, Willie Revillame, to cut the child’s dance short, seeing how obscene it was becoming. But Revillame egged him on, laughing maniacally as the crying child danced and danced and danced. Revillame asked Jan-jan to dance over and over again, as shown in the 10-minute YouTube video.

As the boy danced, the crowd lapped it up. Like Revillame, they went wild, cheering the boy on, apparently seeing nothing wrong in what was happening.

What was happening that day, on March 12, on “Willing Willie,” was a clear case of child abuse. And Revillame, his producers, and the network, TV5, should be held accountable for what they did to Jan-jan.

We all know how television in the Philippines has sunk low, its programs catering mainly to the lowest common denominator. But I never thought I’d see this display of offensive behavior on the part of a TV host and his crowd.

Someone should throw the book at Revillame and company. They ought to pay for what they did to that child.

There’s now an ongoing online petition against Revillame as a result. Part of it reads:

Children  should be at school studying or playing at home. They should not be used as cheap sources of entertainment. The act of making children work is  already unfortunate; however, the said act is even more deplorable since they lose their dignity and self respect in the process. If TV shows that employ child actors are required to secure the necessary  permits from the DSWD, are reality shows like Willing Willie required to do the same? Are representatives from the DSWD present to monitor these activities, especially for shows that air live? We quote  Article V, Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection  of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act: “Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows. – Any person who shall hire, employ,  use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to perform in obscene  exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, or model in  obscene publications or pornographic materials or to sell or distribute  the said materials shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its  medium period.  If the child used as a  performer, subject or seller/distributor is below twelve (12) years of  age, the penalty shall be imposed in its maximum period. Any ascendant, guardian, or person entrusted in any capacity with the care of a child who shall cause and/or allow such child to be employed or to participate in an obscene play, scene, act, movie or show or in any other acts covered by this section shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its medium period.”

Clearly, what transpired during this episode of Willing Willie was a violation of this provision of the law. Wecondemn the blatant act of subjecting poor Filipinos — especially minors, a group that history has shown to be one of the most vulnerable sectors of our society — to humiliation in shows like these in exchange for some quick cash. Given the financial hardships that they have to endure, they often feel forced to do acts that violate their dignity as human beings in exchange for keeping body and soul together.

I support the petition. We should all sign and send the message to Revillame that he cannot act this disgracefully on primetime television and get away with it.

At the same time, the Philippine entertainment and TV industry should consider the Jan-jan episode an eye opener and I hope they do something. After all, Revillame’s show is not the only show that abuses children and women.

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I see that Carlos Celdran has not been particularly happy with what I have written about him. I don’t want to say anything more, except this: “You can’t stand the heat? Get out of the kitchen.” Also this: I’d love to see Celdran and his acolytes go to the studio of TV5 and denounce Willie Revillame for what he did to Jan-jan. He can wear a bowler hat and a sign that reads “Willie Revillame = Damaso” if he prefers — and if he is serious in his crusade to protect those who are abused by the powerful.