GMA Network's Alyas Robin Ripping Off CW's Arrow in Its Teaser Trailer, Philippine Television Network's Lack of Creativity, and Insulting the Filipino Television Viewers

GMA Network has recently release a teaser trailer for their new 2016 Filipino super hero series currently entitled "Alyas Robin Hood" which has raised a few... I mean a lot of eyebrows in social media as it is unapologetic in its blatant ripping off of the popular CW show Arrow. This is my two cents on GMA Network's Alyas Robin Hood CW's Arrow Rip-off, Philippine Television Network's Lack of Creativity, and Insulting the Filipino Television Viewers.


I. The "Alyas Robin Hood" trailer starring Dingdong Dantes that drew flak from rational and critical Filipinos online.



When does paying homage ends and ripping off begins? That is the question I encountered when seeing reviews of Netflix Stranger Things on the various entertainment review channels on Youtube. For now, we cannot say if that will be the case with GMA Network's "Alyas Robin Hood," but by the gods, the teaser trailer is intentionally made to look like it is an unapologetic and a blatant ripoff of a popular American superhero show, CW's Arrow. Maybe that was the intention all along, the "shock factor". That on the age where everyone seems to have access to popular US shows whether it be officially or unconventional means (thru torrent), it seems blasphemous to rip off elements of a popular franchise. This was the case with Ang Panday (woah! also promoted under GMA Network) that ripped off Clash of Titans. Who on their right state of mind would do such marketing in a social media filled with critical Filipinos? Well, the "Alyas Robin Hood" got people talking about an upcoming GMA Network show, unfortunately not in a good way.


II. Is the Philippine Television Network running out of ideas? What's up with the lack of creativity?

"Is there anything original nowadays?" is one of the question some people might get into discussions with. With so many formulaic and cliche themes that dominated Philippine television and cinema, the answer seems to be both a YES and a NO. While one may think of GMA Network's horrendous Sailormoon rip-off, "Super Twins" starring Jennely Mercado and Nadine Samonte, and that poor excuse of a tokusatsu series loosely based on the space Sheriff Shaider Japanese series that even Toei wouldn't consider as part of canon as a bad examples; one may also argue that GMA Network has also brought us memorable series like "Kung Mawawala Ka" and "My Husband's Lover."


So does GMA Network lacks creativity? Well, if we are to base solely on the "Alyas Robin Hood" trailer, it seems to be a bit fat Yes. We can attribute it is to the reason that it is the latest "trend" internationally. Major television networks seems to follow such trend. Remember ABS-CBN when it started doing the kabitseryes or infidelity focus television and film series? It is just like the Filipino superhero comic book (and original superhero concept) explosion back in the early 2000 with Darna, Captain Barbell, Lastikman, Flash Bomba, Komiks Present, Pedro Penduko, Panday, Kristala, Kamandag, Gagambino, Mulawin, and Super Inggo.


Superhero films and television series are a big hit internationally as of the making of this blog. With the popularity of shows like Arrow, The Flash, Gotham, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Agents of Shield, and superhero films from Marvel and DC, it can't be helped if a network to find its new best series to capitalize on seems to simply mindlessly "take inspiration" (rips off) from one of them. In this case "Alyas Robin Hood" starring Dingdong Dantes from Arrow, like how "Captain Barbell" starring Richard Gutierez unapologetically ripped off Smallville.

III. Insulting the Filipino Television Viewers and Filipinos in General

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. GMA Network have already did this sort of thing back in Captain Barbell. The network or people behind it are either too full of themselves or doesn't seem to mind ripping off Smallville. Given the fact that Smallville was currently airing in Studio 23 primetime block at that time. I don't know if GMA Network just think that the majority of Filipino mass who mostly could have issues with availing proper education making them not appreciate and comprehend American shows, unavailability to receive Studio 23 signals on their television, or GMA are too full of themselves that they think that other stations does not exist and the Filipino televiewers are solely watching GMA Network oblivious to other stations.



CW Arrow Season 4 Trailer
This then seems to indicate that they are insulting the Filipino Television Viewers. Why? Because while they are already teasing this "Alyas Robin Hood" television series, TV5 has already picked up on Arrow. What is either better or worse is that TV5 dubbed Arrow in Filipino along with other foreign shows. This seem to imply that Filipinos might have trouble understanding English content. So we already have Arrow available and accessible in Filipino. Filipino Televiewers can obviously make a comparison of the show and does not need to look far. Tagalized Arrow is on TV5; one channel away from GMA Network. So why still go with such dubious promotion of their new show. The answer? They are probably capitalizing on the negative reception online. Bad publicity is still publicity... something they might have picked up from President Duterte.

They insult the Filipinos online who are so outspoken for their support of everything the Philippine television is NOT! To somehow blatantly rip off the "somewhat fresh" US series themes (* Only used "somewhat fresh" as US shows tend to also fall on the formulaic themes like procedural crime shows, reality shows, etc.) There are many superhero themed resources that GMA can draw inspiration locally from, so why not do that? Well, one argument there is television networks probably doesn't want to pay the rights to use these "new" comics characters and would simply stick with the classics like Mars Ravelo ones. Instead here they are making a superhero type of story that blatantly rips off Arrow themes paying no money at all. A blatant rip off of Arrow's a (green) hood and the hero uniform which copies everything down to a teeth. Sure Arrow or Green Arrow is not the first iconic character to use a bow and arrow as his main weapon as the Filipino series seems to imply that it draws inspiration from Robin Hood (thus the Alyas Robin Hood); but at least they should have mixed things up a bit. Sadly, they went the controversial route. Well it made people talking, right? Who knows they might surprise us with a sudden shift in overall tone, if ever they listen to criticism, you know like what they did to Captain Barbell.


The insulting part is that GMA Network is capable of providing decent and even thought-provoking content if they only have better creative team, screenwriters, or maybe tapped on the actual creative people in the Philippine comics industry. Have they exhausted everything with "Encantadia," My Husband's Lover," "The Rich Man's Daughter," and "Kung Mawawala Ka?"

IV. Conflict Resolution, Suggestion, and Recommendation

People might say, all you do is criticize but does not offer anything to make things better. So I will now, do what the production and creative team should have done marketing this new series. One approach would be to take down the trailer and put up a new one which doesn't make it a complete copycat of the popular CW series. Make necessary revisions to the overall outfit of the new GMA Network superhero and actually hire some people who would research on Robin Hood. They seem to take inspiration from there, it was not "Alyas Green Arrow."

The other approach is to bask in the bad publicity and at the same time addressing the series' criticism. Have showbiz news interviews that states that it pays homage to Arrow and that it is a truly unique concept which might truly be the case. They wouldn't ripped off the story of Arrow down to the teeth, right? To show new trailers showing that it is not a rip off proving naysayers that they are wrong; that their initial trailer that paid of homage was misinterpreted and the ripping off ends with the teaser; that new trailers would not continue with the ripping off and the actual content is unique on its own. Relevant to Filipino society and catering to the local superhero hype for Filipino kids and television viewers.

Not long ago, TV5 also made a very forgettable Arrow ripoff or parody series that seemingly went under everyone's radar, simply titled as "Robin Dude." Well at least that show labeled itself as a parody series. So is GMA doing the exact same thing? Will they be ripping off Robin dud only with a much popular actor as its lead?


Filipino comic artist extraordinaire Gerry Alanguilan made this point when he reacted to the teaser of Alyas Robin Hood.



Source: Alyas Robin Hood Teaser Trailer Page
How about you guys? What do you think of The Alyas Robin Hood teaser trailer? Share your thoughts and opinion in the comments section below.

What is AlDub and Why has ALDUB Trended on Twitter this 2015?

You just logged in on Twitter and saw a curious hashtag that has gained over more than 10 million tweets which included the keyword ALDUB and you might start to wonder What is AlDub and Why has ALDUB Trended on Twitter this 2015? People outside of its influence, today we'll answer that for you.


ALDUB is a combination of two names mainly AL and DUB. AL stands for Alden as in the Filipino celebrity (actor, singer, host) who goes by the screen name Alden Richards with a real name of Richard Reyes Faulkerson, Jr.. Meanwhile, DUB stands for Yaya Dub (directly translates to "Nanny Dub") a fictional character and persona created exclusively for a comedy-charitable segment called "Juan for All, All for Juan" on the Philippines longest running noontime show, Eat Bulaga!. Yaya Dub is played by an new rising television and online celebrity named Maine Mendoza with a real name of Nicomaine Dei Capili Mendoza.

Reasons Why has ALDUB Trended on Twitter this 2015

Maine Mendoza's Success in Her Dubsmash Video Series

Before becoming popular as Yaya Dub, Maine Mendoza first became popular with another technological fad called "Dubsmash". Dubsmash is an app in which people siyncs their lips and performance on a list of short audio files taken from movies, television, and music. Maine Mendoza's duubsmash video that she can now be deemed "Queen of DubSmashing in the Philippines". One can observe that Maine Mendoza is a naturally charming Filipina; a Filipina who is bold in making a fool of herself by making ridiculous faces. This is really nothing new (really) as this has been a formula of success of many comedians (in her case comedienne) and popular Youtubers. Her pretty face plus her boldness is what made her famous in dubsmashing and online. It was only then a matter of time before one of the two major rival Philippine television networks (ABS-CBN) grab a hold of her. In this case, GMA Network's Eat Bulaga won her over.



Maine Mendoza's doing a dubsmash of Kris Aquino in her official Youtube channel

The Power of Millennials and Social Network

Anything trends in social media as long as people interested in it keeps on talking about it. In ALDUB's case, it is all thanks to most Filipino Millennials (Generation Y) and even those in the older generation (Generation X Filipinos) who have now familiarized themselves with social media being allured by the charm of the on-screen television love team. Similarly, thanks to the "healthy" rivalry between GMA Network's Eat Bulaga! and ABS-CBN's It's Showtime, it seems that most fans have brought the rivalry online. Thus, fans from opposing end are tweeting (and at times hating) about AlDub and Pastillas Girl (It's Showtime's answer and imitation of AlDub). AlDub's phenomenal Philippine television and online success can now be traced on how well the the old and new media has united on this one. Eat Bulaga's creative team or social media team has embraced social media tapping in it's maximum potential... by uploading Eat Bulaga episode of the Kalye-Serye (Street Series) on Youtube and marketing it on various social media channels.



The social media power for Filipino Millenials was observed when the (hashtag) #ALDUBMostAwaitedDate trended on Twitter with more thatn 10 Million Tweets last September 19, 2015, Saturday, PH Time

ALDUB is on Eat Bulaga!

Eat Bulaga is the longest running noontime variety and game show in the Philippines that started from 1972 and still going strong as of the present (2015 as of the posting of this blog). On a relevant note, the noontime show has gained so much popularity that Indonesia has picked it up with Eat Bulaga! having its first overseas franchise with Eat Bulaga! Indonesia. ALDUB being on Eat Bulaga! greatly helped its popularity and in turn helped Eat Bulaga back to become more popular (worldwide) than it currently is. ALDUB has tapped the market of Eat Bulaga! and in returned receiving more viewership and attention. Eat Bulaga has struck gold with the AlDub phenomena.

Most Filipinos Love Rom-Coms

Most Filipinos loves an equal mix of comedy and romance which is probably why the romantic-comedy genre has became so successful and phenomenal in Philippine cinema in terms of box office; and television with viewership and tweets. The ALDUB is an on-screen love team which was developed when Yaya Dub's character was supposedly indifferent towards everyone around her and will just do her "dubsmash" gig only when her character calls for it. Maine broke character when the camera panned to Alden in one episode of All For Juan, Juan For All in and august 2015 episode and from then on, the love team was developed. In reality, AlDub is not that different from any showbiz love team that has become popular in recent memories, the only difference is that it has the power of the entire (GMA) network and its online counterpart to support it and so far it has worked for their favor (financially speaking that is with endorsements and advertisements; the lifeblood of television).

GMA Network and News Coverage of ALDUB

Another factor on why ALDUB has become phenomenally successful in the Philippines which transcended to the "Twitterverse"is how aggressive the network covers the phenomenal Philippine noontime show on-screen love team of AlDub. ALDub is being mentioned and featured in showbiz segment and even by reputable news reporter/anchors even in non-showbz segment in GMA Network's morning news in "Unang Hirit", it's sister company (separate Philippine television network/channel) GMA News TV's noontime news program "Balitanghali", GMA Network's afternoon news program 24 Oras, and the late night news program "Saksi". The success has also spun 2 television advertisement which may now appear in other television networks.



ALDUB 1st Television Commercial in the Philippines - ALDUB's AlDub Ko To Mc Donald's Chicken Ala King TV Commercial



ALDUB 2nd Television Commercial in the Philippines - ALDUB's Talk N' Text TV Commercial
Probably one of the more head-scratching one as the network has seemingly focused all their media machinery in promoting and endorsing the noontime show's on-screen pair. Guess it was expected of any traditional television media and somehow confirms the what the thinking Filipinos perception of the mass media.


The ALDub on-screen love team is here to stay whether Filipinos like it or not. AlDub will still trend just like any video game, television, of movie franchise; if it works, it will be milked until the cow is no longer capable of being milked. There is really no sense in fighting over it amongst fans or no reason in hating it if you are not into it. It is what it is. Not long ago we have a similar fad in the form of Boy Pick-Up where alMOST everyone seems to make pointless pick-up lines and thought that Boy Pick-Up was funny but it eventually died a natural death; this may very well happen to the AlDub just like Guy and Pip, Vilma and Bobot, Angelu and Bobby, Judy anne and Wowie, Leah and Aga, Regine and Ariel, Richard and Dawn, and many on-screen pairs that came before it. Then we'll have a newer generation of on-screen couple replacing AlDub that will bring "kilig" to many Filipino who prefer escapism than facing the harsh realities brought by poverty, government, justice system, war, and politics.

My Diyes Sentimos on as Survivor Philippines Season 4 Winner: Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown Live Finale Review

After 36 days, Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown finally names its Ultimate Sole Survivor - Albert "Betong" Sumaya. Survivor Philippines final three were Albert "Betong" Sumaya, Steff Prescott, and Mara Yokohama. Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown Live Finale gathers Season Four's contestants in this reunion special slash announcement of the sole survivor finale. Like what I did with Amaya, here are my thoughts on Betong winning as Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown.

The two episodes before this finale was filled with hate and negativity; a big bleep-fest of an episode as I would like to call it. While those two episodes focus more on Survivor season 4's jury bringing out their frustrations, hate, and bad blood against the season's final three, the live finale turns that around. We now hear them giving message of good tidings to the final three. From being infuriated and impulsive, the jury is now back at their regular celebrity goody good poker face attitude, well with the exception of KC who still believed that he should be on the Final Three rather than Betong. I admire that guy for keeping it real, and playing it as how it would be played. Unfortunately, he was outwitted by the two women he trusted in the end. Lagi ko tuloy nasasabing "matalino man ang matsing, napaglalalangan din". To whether the final three truly deserved that Survivor Philippines Final Three slot is no longer the issue here. Everyone has their own bet, but unfortunately there could only be one Survivor Philippines sole survivor who'll go home with 3 Million Pesos.

Like the usual, the Jury's votes were arranged and announced in a sequence where all three final three members get one vote each, then HOPYA! cut to a commercial... nice, right? Then cuts back to the reality shows final and most awaited part, the announcement of Survivor Philippines Celebrity doubles Showdown sole survivor. Betong got 4 votes from the Jury, while Mara has 2 votes, and Steff with only got 1 vote. It was later revealed who voted who. KC, Chuckie, Maey, and Arthur all voted for Betong, while the Philippine Volcanoes' Johnny and Arnold voted for Mara, while Gino voted for Steff. I was not surprised that Betong won. He took the good guy route in Survivor Philippines, because we all know that the people cheers for the good down to Earth guy, right?

So congratulations to Betong for bagging home 3 Million and winning Survivor Philippines Season 4 Celebrity Doubles Showdown. Although you weren't my bet, it was easy for me to accept you as the sole survivor for your good guy gameplay. How about you guys? Who was your bet in this season? Who did you cheered for (loved) or hated? What are your thoughts about Survivor Philippines Season Four's Sole Survivor? Share your thoughts in the comments section below:

ABS-CBN Pits It's Showtime To GMA Network's Eat Bulaga

Competition is back to noontime shows (again) this February 06, 2012 as ABS-CBN - Kapamilya Network pits the newly reformatted It's Showtime (previously Showtime) with the longest running undisputed noontime show of GMA Network - Kapuso Network's Eat Bulaga. So what does this spell for both well-received noontime programs.

This is not the first time that ABS-CBN (Kapamilya) Network compete with the noontime giant Eat Bulaga. Speaking as someone who followed the transition of the beloved undisputed noontime show (Eat Bulaga), in my own opinion after Eat Bulaga migrated to GMA Network back in 1995, it seems that it also brought along the flare and magic to noontime show which EB was known for to GMA Network. Fans of the series which came from almost all generation was also taken away from ABS-CBN, thus making GMA Network become a more competitive Philippine Network giant that it is known today. I can firmly say that Eat Bulaga brought fame and success to GMA. Since then ABS-CBN has always struggled with the noontime slot. Kapamilya has pitted various noontime shows like 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila, Magandang Tanghali Bayan, Esep Esep, Masayang Tanghali Bayan, and MTB Ang Saya Saya. One particular ABS-CBN noontime show came close as a competition to Eat bulaga and that was Wowowee which somehow broke the usual variety format in exchange of a game show packed format. There have been a couple of times that the show has won over the ratings game with Eat Bulaga. After Wowowee's five year run, the shows host got into dispute with the Kapamilya Network's management causing him to leave the network in exchange of a new afternoon-evening variety game show on TV5. ABS-CBN then replaced Wowowee with the short live noontime shows like Pilipinas Win Na Win, but that show was still a flop. Then ABS-CBN tried going back to the noontime variety show format with Happy Yipee Yehey! but the noontime show itself came to a short run and come February 6, it will be replaced by the popular morning talent-variety show Showtime. In order to compete with the undisputed noontime show Eat Bulaga, Showtime will surely drop its regular talent show format into a more streamlined variety-game show format. Showtime will now be know as It's Showtime.

If there is one thing that I come to realize in this life that one should never be loyal to one particular station. I for one am still a fan of Eat Bulaga but that doesn't mean that I won't be switching channels. There wonce was a time when I preferred the Korean telenovela noontime block that TV5 once had, and during those times Eat Bulaga and Wowowee were already on air. Showtime was also a great show back then as it came before Eat Bulaga and becoming more of a supplement to an enjoyable noontime. It was a killer combo, After Showtime, we then switched to Eat Bulaga. Sadly Showtime will now be directly competing with Eat Bulaga, which will definitely be chaotic. Well at least we now have an option, because believe it or not there can be days where Eat Bulaga can be just tad boring. Showtime's greatest asset is Vice Ganda and her comedy bar background, sadly once she takes brakes the Showtime would just be another like another Happy Yippee Yehey and as much as possible It's showtime wouldn't want that so that only means that there would be no rest for the popular comedian, Vice Ganda. Chances are that Gandang Gabi Vice might soon bid its farewell.

It's Showtime Station ID
ABS-CBN Kapamilya Network promotes It's Showtime

A big give away that the ABS-CBN and the actual noontime show is desperate to win back the noontime slot that is the fact that the show will air 30 minutes before 12:00 nn. So Showtime will have a thirty minutes lead and a lot to prove, but I know for a fact that come 12:00 nn thse who are tuned in to the new noontime show would be switching back to the well-beloved noontime show Eat Bulaga and that is a FACT (well if you are not a solid Kapamilya that is)! Another thing that I've also noticed that the new show is heavily marketed, which is pretty normal but there is a certain unique feel to It's Showtime marketing. It feels like it is going to be a better Showtime, but one thing is sure that TAPE Management will be up its feet to defend Eat Bulaga noontime reign. This will possibly mean new games, segments, and humor for Eat Bulaga but we'll see that once competition is back.

I am not saying that It's Showtime can never beat Eat Bulaga nor I can say that it completely can. Competition is good for both noontime shows to be up both their games; and think of new, entertaining, and innovative segments to keep the Philippine masses entertained. Hopefully, ABS-CBN can finally be content with this noontime show and stick with it through thick and thin because It's Showtime will probably be their best and last noontime show to become an actual competition to Eat Bulaga... that is coming from someone who is a long fan of Eat Bulaga, and at a time an avid viewer of Showtime. To It's Showtime, good luck because you need it. Hope you could help Eat Bulaga improve and become a better noontime show by winning the ratings game which means that they have to improve on something. To Eat Bulaga (TAPE Incorporated) the challenge glove has been thrown at you. Be up your feet and prove that Eat Bulaga will forever be the best noontime show of all time...a show not just for the contemporary but for all generations.

My Diyes Sentimos on Amaya's Epic Finale: "Amaya" Television Series Ending Review

Friday, January the 13th of 2011 marks the day that GMA Network's fictional epic television series Amaya shall finally end. Probably by this time, GMA's epic-serye is already over and this is why I am making this television ending review for the popular primetime soap. So what do I think of Amaya's Ending? Who's asking, well no one, but this is still my two cents or should I say my diyes sentimos (ten cents) on Amaya's epic finale.

Amayaaaaa Jesuuuuus! What the hell am I saying? Well, Amaya finally was able to walk on water (you know like Jesus) after praying to Laon (ancient god) for blessings. Thus having the power to call forth a sleeping legendary monstrosity, the Bakunawa, a Philippine mythological sea serpent. To whatever reason as to why Laon (the god of the Amaya lore) bestowed this divine-like power only seen on diwatas (fairy) to Amaya beats the hell out of me. Well, if the gods provided her powers right from the start, then we won't have this show to talk about. Oh well it is the ending, so it is only fitting for the series to feature over the top sequences. And what better way to end the series most hated villain, Dian Lamitan (Gina Alajar), than with a death by being devoured alive by a sea serpent. I only had this question in mind while the scene where Amaya was walking on water and the Bakunawa on her side... What the hell were the gods thinking to finally favor Amaya on that finale with Lamitan? To whatever that reason is, we will never know as it was never explained. It is just as it is and that is somehow insulting to a thinking audience and as for someone who observed the fictional story's lore. Well, the CGI Bakunawa looks "decent" for a Philippine produced television series and it is of GMA Network's standard; if you call it their standard.

So it is a happy ending for the series loving couple (Bagani and Amaya), right? Well, well not yet as the two are forced to take responsibilities as leaders to the people whom they ruled on. The show then fast forwards to a time when Banuk (Now Rocco Nacino) and Alunsina (Kris Bernal) are all grown up. The feisty Alunsina dared to answer a question asked by Banuk for the his brother, the Raja (tribe's leader). If I were the leader or even as the brother of the leader, then I would scold this meddlesome babaylan not to butt in on conversation of other people. I laughed thinking about this particular situation, thinking of an in your face joke ala Vice Ganda or Bubble Gang's Mr. Assimmo. May I also commend Rocco Nacino for speaking so good deep Tagalog words. You made me realize that there is still hope for the average joe to make it big in Philippine showbizness, Hahahaha. The Narrator (Kris Bernal) continually describes what happened next. The Philippine ancient slave system was somehow improved thanks to the joint effort of all the tribe's leaders headed by of course Bagani and Amaya. That slaves have now the opportunity to buy themselves out of slavery and become ordinary citizens, which ultimately is a happy ending for all of them. This then made the rest of the country strong and made the people one. A short clip of Magellan (Dingdong Dantes) on 1521 docking in Mactan, then fighting Lapu-Lapu was shown. For you know... historical accuracy which made me laughed thinking about it.

Bagani (Sid Lucero) seeing that his tribe is already self-sustaining, finally decides to leave his tribe to pursue a life with the woman he loves. Well, duh! Finally! He arrived at Amaya's tribe to be with her, but was shocked to see a boy called Amaya his mother. Bagani was disheartened to learned that Amaya has somehow moved on during the time that they were apart and potentially had a child with another man. But to everyone's surprise (well not really), that the kid was their (Bagani and Amaya's) child. To whatever kind of stupid reason as to why Amaya didn't tell Bagani was never explained by the Narrator (Alunsina - Kris Bernal). I guess that scene would look more dramatic with that twist, well I think it is funny. Then it fast forward again and the narrator is now an old woman. Alunsina is now an old woman and the Chief Babaylan who is educating her priestess in training about the valiant Amaya and Bagani. Then the volcano whom she said is the dwelling place of the gods suddenly errupted. she then tells that the times are changing and she saw a vision of conquerors seizing the land, but there will still be warriors like Amaya whom will rise up and fight these tyrants. Finally we have a montage of scenes of the best of Amaya and then the film just ends with a Gluthathione like endorsement shot of Amaya. Oh boy, was Marian's skin so white in that flashback. Then the series just ends without even showing off the series credits. The least that the network could do is give the team some acknowledgement or pat in the back for making a primetime soap that made decent rating for the show. Oh well, they ARE running out of time, and Munting Heredera is up next so what the hell, let's just end the series like that.

What I hated in past GMA Kapuso Network teleserye (television series) endings was the feeling that they felt rushed. They did this on series that made poor ratings, what's the use of keeping something that is not selling right? I think GMA or any tv network owes the people who managed to watch and see the such poorly rated and received television series a decent ending. Given that a series sucked in ratings, but what about those who supported it? They need a resolution or a decent conclusion to a series they learned to like, even love. So, was Amaya guilty of the same Kapuso teleserye rushed ending scenario? Luckily, Not... completely. Amaya did good on the ratings anyway so I think they owe it to everyone to give the series enough justice. Although it had some cheesy and stupid parts, I think it is a fitting end for a fictional historical television epic. Amaya was a decent primetime television series that managed to somehow educate the everyday household or the Philippine mass couch potatoes a little about our ancient history and a few deep Tagalog, Cebuano, and Bisayan words, but don't expect to see any realism or a depiction of the life back in ancient Philippines. How can you even believe that women are treated as an equal to man and even became a leader on a politically incorrect ancient Philippines dominated by men. Not only that but they women all looks so pretty and white, I would be more convinced if Amay was more ancient Hispanics rather than Filipino if you base the series based on the skin and features of the characters who portrayed ancient Filipinos. I would be more convinced if they made Rochelle Pangilinan as Amaya out of skintone realism, but the network of course knows better.

Amaya was fun while it lasted. We had a few laughs on some parts of the ending and there were questions unanswered but nothing that ruined the entire series. Amaya was an entertaining show that provided a very fictionalized ancient Philippines.

Eat Bulaga's All for Juan, Juan for All Sugod Bahay Gang December 17, 2011 Willie Revillame Laugh Out Loud Moment: EB Dabarkads Turned One Slip Up Into a Genuinely Funny Moment

An Episode of Eat Bulaga's All for Juan Juan for All aired last December 17, 2011 made a lot of Filipino televiewers laugh their hearts out when a chosen Sugod Bahay Gang winner made a slip up in pronouncing Wally's name to Willie (Revillame) which became a very entertaining moment for the next ten minutes or so.



Eat Bulaga has always been the undisputed noontime show here in the Philippines, but that does not mean that there won't be a any competition for it. This is when the competing network (ABS CBN Kapamilya) made a series of noontime shows (defunct today) to compete with it. The closest of these shows that would actually proved to be a somewhat decent competition was Wowowee which eventually was cancelled because of a misunderstanding of the Kapamilya Network and Willie Revillame. Willie Revillame now found a new home in TV 5 Kapatid Network with first Willing Willie which also got cancelled because of a child abuse case/incident, but later reformatted to Wiltime Bigtime. Somehow the wounds of the past were "somehow" healed between the hosts of Eat Bulaga and Noontime shows featuring Revillame. The most controversial is probably humorous but mostly below the belt hits between Joey de Leon and Willie Revillame. Now being under the TV 5 Kapatid Network, the celebrities from Eat Bulaga and Willie Revillame shows share the same audience every day but not in a competitive way. As I make this post, Wiltime Bigtime is scheduled from Mondays to Saturdays at around 6pm, The Jose and Wally Show featuring Vic Sotto comes after Wiltime Bigtime every Satuday night, and Wow Mali is every Sunday Night. It was also became a news when Willie and Joey eventually became "friends" but to whether this is the real deal or something superficial is left to one's imagination.

No one network has a monopoly over the Filipino viewing audience and this is healthy, if not normal. Dealing with the everyday Filipino mass is what noontime shows do and they usually anticipate slip ups from contestants. There have been incidents where contestants from Wowowee thanked Eat Bulaga or the Kapuso Network rather than their show or network, and vice versa. So when slip ups like this happen, it is up to the hosts of the shows to turn the table around, most of the time it is a very awkward, but the EB Dabarkads made it to something hilarious last Saturday, December 17. Having shows on TV5 may also helped with the easing of the very awkward moment. Jose Manalo imitated Willie Revillame down to his very irritating negative attitude, his arrogance. On a similar note, because of this slip up, the Sugod-Bahay Gang winner only received a smaller price because of this slip up. Yes, the sum given to the winner was probably reduced because of this as noticed in Jose's statement when you watch the video as he stated that the money supposed to be awarded should be forty thousand pesos - "Forty thousand dapat yan eh". I have also noticed this on past Juan for All All for Juan Sugod Bahay Gang Episodes. The amount they gave usually plays around the thirty thousand to as high as fifty thousand peso range, depending on the likability and financial status of the winner of the day. I don't think this is a nice move from Eat Bulaga's part, this make them appear a little bitter of the said slip up. But hey they are the one's giving the prices, so the winner shouldn't really complain much on it. They also managed to mentioned Willie Revillame and his segments in the past which transcends the Network Wars, I guess they will probably get a memo for doing this thing, or not. The Youtube video is receiving mostly positive hits, so that has to account to something, right?

Watch Jose Manalo imitated Willie Revillame in Sugod-Bahay Gang Juan for All All for Juan Dec 17, 2011 Episode here:



By now you might have noticed that I am not a fan of Willie Revillame. The annoying thing is that people in our house watch the said show which sometimes also forces me to watch it. Being an everyday Filipino televiewer, I am (in a shallow way) thankful for those Wiltime Bigtime dancers performing in skimpy and sexy outfit. It makes watching the said sow a little less of a task than a natural thing. This made me excited to see Wiltime Bigtime episode on that day which was not normal. I like intrigues and exchanges of Joey and Willie in the past, sothis is probably the main reason why I am looking forward for it. Well in some way, Willie managed to react to this in a very unconvincing and pretentious way. Sorry fans of Willie Revillame, in my opinion, I just don't find him that sincere of a person.

Watch Willie Revillame in Wiltime Bigtime react to Jose Manalo immitation and Eat Bulaga Poking fun of him in All for Juan, Juan for All December 17, 2011 Sugod Bahay Gang Episode



This is probably one of the best Eat Bulaga episode for me this year. Thanks to those industrious Pinoy Youtube Users who managed to capture and upload this genuinely funny moment from Eat Bulaga. What about you guys? What can you say about the Eat Bulaga December 17 2011 All for Juan Juan for All Sugod-Bahay Gang Episode? on Willtime Bigtime's Reaction to it? Share your thoughts on the comments section below:

Sensationalism and Network Wars on Philippine Television Networks

Ted Failon, is that enough for this post to garner good traffic or SEO? Then if it is then let me spam you with Ted Failon, Ted Failon's wife, Ted Failon suspect, Failon suicide.

Sorry, just wanted that out of my system, just really am irritated with all the buzz about the incident that happened to the Failon household. For those who still don't know here is a link to the news:

Ted Failon arrested

My point is not to judge nor convict Mr. Failon here, because investigations are still undergoing and come on people, let's give the man "the benefit of doubt". He is still innocent until proven otherwise. What irritates me is the sensationalism and obvious network wars playing behind all of this.

What am I saying here people?

The dispute, oh I mean "friendly competition" of the two major local television companies in the Philippines (GMA "Kapuso" and ABS CBN "Kapamilya") will never end as long as they keep on bashing each other while their down (or their people are). Let's take the issue Ted Failon for example, as I've heard on the news (because I am typing here in my room), it is almost like every minute (okay 10 minutes), the news keeps on revolving around the Failon's case, police speculation about the case,update to the health of the victim (Failon's wife) which is really repetitive. It makes me ask isn't there any other news that you can deliver the Filipino mass? How about those hostages in Sulu? Our fellow Filipinos who might be stuck in the crisis in Thailand? The thousands of unemployed? World news which might concerns us like the alleged North Korea's development of weapons of mass destruction, global warming, fire prevention, and the update on Wilma Galvante and Anabelle Rama dispute (okay, the last one is not relevant), but the bottom line is there are a lot of news to cover so why focus on this high profile case and making people speculate even more and doubt the potential suspects while the investigation is still going on? Why don't they just deliver something that will make Filipinos feel proud, good, and relaxed. Not with these network bashing, character assassinations, sensationalism and redundant delivery of the same old news. What has the local news in the Philippines fall so shallow into?

This is just my opinion, my observation on the sensationalism and network wars on Philippine television networks.