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

The “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” team released a statement offering clarification and apology over a recent “Gabi ng Lagim XIV” episode, which centered on a wood carving made by an artist from Paete, Laguna.

In the episode entitled “Ukit” which aired on Sunday, Nov. 1, Lily (formerly Callalily) guitarist Nathan Reyes shared how he started having eerie experiences after he took home a wood carving that was gifted to them after their gig in Paete.

“‘Yung cousin ko, pumunta sa dalawang albularyo na parehas ‘yung sinabi… Possessed daw ang inuwi naming inukit na plaka!” Reyes said.

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The episode also featured an interview with Pio Fadul, the artist behind the wood carving, who dismissed claims that his crafts are steeped in the occult.

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“Ang mga gawa ko ang hindi pinamumugaran ng masamang elemento gawa may nagbabantay sa atin sa araw-araw,” he said.

In a separate statement shared on the Facebook page dedicated to Fadul and his fellow woodcarvers’ works, the group lamented how the “KMJS” feature might give viewers the wrong impression of their craft.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa pagkakataong makapanayam ng KMJS. Sa kabila nito, hindi namin inaasahan na ang likha ni Pio Fadul ay gagamitin bilang bahagi ng isang kuwentong katatakutan na maaaring magdulot ng maling impresyon tungkol sa kanya at kanyang mga likha,” they said.

“Nauunawaan namin na ang kuwento ay nakabatay sa personal na karanasan ni Nathan. Nirerespeto namin ang kanyang karapatang ibahagi ang kanyang naranasan at hindi namin layuning kuwestiyunin ito,” they continued. “Ang nais lamang naming iparating ay ang aming pag-aalala sa paraan ng pagkakalahad ng kuwento, dahil hindi nabigyan ng sapat na pagpapaliwanag ang pagkatao ni Pio Fadul, ang kanyang pinagmulan bilang isang woodcarver, at ang tunay na halaga ng kanyang mga likha.”

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The group also clarified that the statement of Fadul’s wife about his past struggles with mental health during the “KMJS” interview had nothing to do with anything supernatural or paranormal.

“Maraming taon at panahon ang inilaan ni Pio Fadul upang paghuasayin ang kanyang talento sa pag-uukit sa kahoy. Ang kanyang mga likha ay bunga ng kanyang pagmamahal sa sining at bahagi ng tradisyon ng pag-uukit na matagal nang ipinagmamalaki ng Paete, Laguna. Kaya naman nakalulungkot na maaaring maiugnay na lamang ng mga manonood ang kanyang mga likha sa sumpa o sa mga bagay na may kaugnayan sa demonyo, sa halip na makita ang husay, talento, at dedikasyon sa bawat obra,” they added.

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Reyes, ‘KMJS’ team apologize

In the comments section of the group’s post, Reyes apologized and assumed responsibility over the “KMJS” episode. He further said that he already reached out to the TV program’s team to rectify the narrative.

“Nais ko magbigay ng paumanhin regarding po dito sa ‘Ukit’ as before I even agreed to the interview, we needed to make sure na balanced and hindi po ma-affect yung livelihood and reputation ni Among Pio,” the guitarist said. “Although I understand na may iba’t bang style of reporting but the focus should’ve just been on the object and hindi naka focus sa kung sino and saan galing kasi it can be any artwork or kahit any object.”

“…I assume responsibility and I have reached out po sa team sa KMJS regarding the situation po to rectify the narrative. Regardless din po of the response, it is my responsibility to portray the truth and will address it publicly given the platform (podcasts, socmed) and opportunity,” he stated. “Again, nais ko po maghingi ng paumanhin sa confusion that it caused and disappointment sa bayan ng Paete at sa pamilya ni Among and we will rectify this. Mabuhay po ang bayang Paete and Among Pio Fadul.”

The “KMJS” team also released a statement, saying they reached out to Fadul and his family to highlight in the episode his craftmanship and clarification that his works are not possessed by evil entities.

“Kinapanayam din namin ang Paete Historical and Cultural Heritage Foundation Inc., na nagbigay-diin na ang pag-uukit ay bahagi ng kabuhayan at pananampalataya ng kanilang bayan at hindi ito dapat katakutan. Nililinaw namin na ang ulat ay tungkol sa mga karanasang iniugnay sa isang partikular na ukit at hindi dapat maging batayan upang iugnay sa masasamang elemento ang iba pang likha ni Fadul o ang Ukit Paete sa pangkalahatan,” the team stated.

“Nauunawaan namin na maaaring makaapekto ang ulat sa industriya ng pag-uukit sa Paete, at hindi namin layuning makasira sa tiwala sa kanilang sining at kabuhayan. Nakipag-ugnayan na rin kami sa pamilya Fadul upang talakayin ang kanilang mga alalahanin, at humihingi kami ng paumanhin sa kanila at sa mga taga-Paete sa pagkabahala na naidulot ng ulat. Nirerespeto at pinahahalagahan namin ang kanilang reputasyon, kabuhayan, at pamanang kultural,” it added.

Facing criticism

Among those who criticized the feature was the Sangguniang Bayan ng Paete, Laguna, which adopted a resolution seeking clarification and rectification over the “inaccurate portrayal” of the town’s woodcarving heritage.

The council called on GMA Network and the management of “KMJS” to issue a clarification, apology and take appropriate action on the issue, noting that the organization could be declared persona non grata in Paete if they fail to address the demand within 15 days.