State-owned Radyo Pilipinas (“Philippine Radio”) has become the object of public scorn on social media after a video of its program Wow China went viral over the weekend on Facebook.

It appears the "cultural program" has been airing on the government-owned radio since September last year. Its most recent broadcast aired live on Facebook yesterday, which kicked off with its usual opening spiel.

“Other practices, to be studied and discussed in interesting ways. Wow China!” a booming voice announced in English and Filipino, while the program’s title, which makes use of China’s flag (pretty crafty), is imposed onscreen.

“Light conversations, and information-packed knowledge! We’ll get to know our Chinese siblings for better communication and cooperation!” the announcement said.

Just a few weeks ago, Pinoys also took to social media to protest against the music video One Sea, which has been accused of being a propaganda video that aimed to portray China as the Philippines’ savior in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Never mind that China has built military structures on the West Philippine Sea over the years, and has long been intimidating Pinoy fishermen on the disputed territory, despite a 2016 decision by a Netherlands court that invalidated Beijing’s claims over the area.

This time we should not easily let this happen! We need your signature to stop the airing of the China propaganda plot.

We, the citizens of Philippines, petition the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and PBS to cancel the program "Wow China".