Dolphin show extended despite media partner’s pullout

The “Angels of the Sea" dolphin and sea lion show that has drawn both crowds and criticism over the recent holidays has been extended for two more weeks, despite losing its media partnership with National Geographic Channel Philippines amid fervent protests from animal rights activists. The Dolphins Love Freedom Network, Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Earth Island Institute (EII) Philippines and the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines (MWWP) have been lobbying against the show since before it began on December 25 at a popular show venue in Cubao, Quezon City. (See: Wildlife activists hold Xmas protest vs dolphin show in QC) But organizers Indofil Seawonders Co. Ltd. refused to budge, claiming that the show is educational.
Meanwhile, National Geographic Channel Philippines announced on Wednesday that it has pulled out as a media partner of the show. "We deeply apologize to our NGC viewers and followers who were offended by the media partnership. Rest assured that NGC will continue to champion the cause of protecting the environment," the NGC Philippines posted in response to several objections made on its Facebook page. "I love Nat Geo... it is my favorite Channel in the Universe... I was inspired to photograph and monitor the humpback whale migration and do marine mammal research in the Philippines for the past 10 years because of the curiosity that you sparked in me. But now, I'm simply living curious, why did you sponsor/partner with a dolphin and sea lion captivity show?" asked A.G. Saño of the Dolphins Love Freedom Network. "What a disappointment...Sponsoring the Dolphin and Sea Lion Show...You should be ashamed of yourselves! Dolphins should remain in the wild!" posted Facebook user Dino Calderon on December 24. "Dear Nat Geo, please do not extend the dolphin show anymore. Wala naman nang nanonood. Kaya huwag nang pahabain pa ang paghihirap ni Tutti at Frutti. Bagong Taon, mag-bagong buhay na kayo," posted Maye Padilla on January 3. (Dear Nat Geo, please do not extend the dolphin show anymore. People no longer watch it anyway. So don’t prolong the misery of Tutti and Frutti any longer. It’s the New Year, please make a fresh start.) To both comments, and others expressing similar sentiments, NGCP posted their apology on Wednesday. MWWP commended NGCP for its action, hoping that it is not because their agreement with the show ended yesterday, January 2, when the show was originally set to close. The show is now set to run until January 16, with tickets being sold at less than half the original price. Encouraged by NGCP’s action, the groups said they will continue to lobby against the show, and hope that its main sponsor, Cherifer, will follow suit. (See: Cubao dolphin show fails to amuse animal welfare activists) On the other hand, the venue owner Araneta Center has kept a hands-off posture on the controversy. In an earlier report, Araneta Center’s marketing officer Carmela Garcia refused to comment on the issue, saying that they only provided the venue and had nothing to do with the actual show.—JV, GMANews.TV