The said episode is not available to watch online as of this writing.
Last Saturday, May 23, journalist Christian Esguerra made a comback on ABS-CBN via a guest appearance on the youth debate and current affairs show Y Speak 2.0.
However, in the episode of his Facts First podcast on Tuesday, May 26, he revealed that the said episode, which is the revived series’ third, has been pulled from streaming, specifically on YouTube.
“Nabanggit ko po sa inyo na nag-guest po ako d’yan sa Y Speak 2.0 ng ABS-CBN. Marami naman po sa inyo ang nakapanood ng episode na ‘yon, pero may mga nagmemessage po sa atin na (nagtatanong) bakit nawala ‘yung episode?” he said.
“Nung tiningnan ko nga, kapag clini-click mo na ‘yung link ng interview…. parang naka-private. Well, lumalabas na ti-nake down ng mga nasa likod ng programa ‘yung interview with me.”
Esguerra then shared a highlight of that episode, which is his segment where he played a word association game.
“Medyo nag-viral ata ‘yung sinabi natin doon sa segment na word association (kung saan) nagpapakita sila ng mukha ng mga pulitiko. Tapos, ‘yung unang pumasok na word sa utak mo, sasabihin mo,” he told.
“Eh, mukhang lumalabas na medyo natakot ang mga nasa likod ng programa… mukhang natakot sila sa naging takbo ng discussion… natakot sa possible backlash.”
Esguerra then called its removal “unfortunate” not only because it can no longer be viewed online, but he felt that he is being “censored” anew.
“Sa akin, very unfortunate kasi na-censor na naman ako eh,” the former ANC anchor said. “I’m not blaming anyone, but it sends the wrong message sa mga kabataan na sinisikap nila na hubugin para mas patapangin at mas maging engaged.”
He also noted that outside of his segment, he felt the show had a deep connection with the youth and how dedicated and engaged their were to the cause.
“Ang pinaka-in-emphasize ko rin naman doon (sa segment ko) ay ang kahalagahan ng civic duty, lalo na ng mga kabataan sa darating na eleksyon,” he added.
For Christian, the takedown sends a “wrong message” to the youth. “‘Di po ba ang best example ng isang bagay na gusto mong gawin ng ibang tao is to show it by example?“
Esguerra also emphasized his words in a previous show: “The worst form of censorship is self-censorship.“
He also said that it was sad, as the youth people he met at Y Speak 2.0, especially its hosts, were all promising.
As for the show, he told them: “Sana next time, mas maging matapang. Mas matutong manindigan.”
Aside from YouTube, a quick check on ABS-CBN’s streaming platform iWant, where episodes of Y Speak are also uploaded, the third episode has also been pulled.
At present, the show’s producers or the network have not yet issued any statement on the matter.