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.

On Vice Ganda on Anti-Bullying Fiasco on ABS-CBN's Showtime

Vice Ganda revealed his bare (cosmetic make-up less) face on national television in the Advice-Ganda segment of ABS-CBN's noontime show Showtime last May 28, 2015 to advocate anti-bullying. The ABS-CBN comedian shared the best advice he can give this tormented heavily bullied woman in her school - to accept and love who she is and what she looks like then proceeded to removing his make up.


If you are interested to how the whole drama unfolded. Check out the video feature from ABS-CBN's Aquino & Abunda Tonight here:


On Bullying

Bullying is a serious issue faced by not just children but adults alike. Bullying lowers self-esteem and confidence. It generally tend to make people feel inferior and uncomfortable with themselves which stems out a slew of problems with the worst case scenario depression which could then result to suicide. Society (now aggressively) frowns upon the act of bullying which is just and subscribed to by most people. People who are considered advocates of anti-bullying are now considered champions of the oppressed... people we cheer upon. Anti-bullying statements are now much stronger when it is said by notable public figures like celebrities.

On Vice Ganda's Brand of Humor

Those who trouble themselves (or helpless in) watching anything Vice Ganda, you'll have a general idea of what is his brand of humor, poking fun at the expense of others. You don't have to stray away to find this in action, just watch episodes of ABS-CBN's Gandang Gabi Vice to see his humor in action - usually poking fun of how the audience member (the "punch line") physically looks like. Heck he sometimes question the way the "punchline" behaves (gestures and mannerism), thinks and expresses (talks) him or herself. One can say but it is comedy and is subjective... but we can say that bullies are merely doing the act of bullying because they find the bullied to be funny or humorous.







People seem to have forgotten that not long ago Vice made a very questionable (and highly frowned-upon) joke that insults both the size of people (being fat) and (platfully belittling) rape. Well, guess that was probably not "bullying" but a simply is a bad joke; so subscribing to that, can bullies be merely bad jokers?
On The Irony of Vice Ganda's Anti-Bullying Fiasco

We now come to full circle with Vice Ganda's brand of humor which is laughing at the expense of other and bullies tendency to use humor to poke fun of others. Do you see the irony of this whole anti-bullying fiasco in Showtime? Well guess, I am not the only one who noticed this as meme's about Vice Ganda removing his make-up to give an ironic but "sensible" advice started circulating the social networks.



It is always good to watch and listen to people taking the side of the oppressed, to advocate anti-bullying; but we also have to be aware that in order for one to be a credible person to give such uplifting statements, he should be found in to have (little to) no faults in relation to bullying. Vice Ganda's brand of humor walks that thin line that separates jokes from insults. The big question is after this fiasco, will Vice Ganda's brand of humor grows up to be more intelligent or be the same ruthlessly poking fun at the expense of others?

How about you guys? What do you think about this whole television drama promulgated by ABS-CBN, Showtime, and Vice Ganda? If you are you a fan then are these criticism unfounded or uncalled for? Share your thoughts on Vice Ganda on Anti-Bullying Statement on ABS-CBN's Showtime in the comments section below:

A Citizen's View on 20 Reasons Why I Dislike the Philippines: An Entertaining Social Commentary

20 Reasons Why I dislike the Philippines is a ChannelFlix Presentation and a Sorted Production video hosted by Jimmy Sieczka. This entertaining social commentary video about a foreigner's (to the Philippines that is) top 20 list on the things he disliked about the Philippines came to me today March 14, 2012 on Facebook. Intrigued by the title and some people crying fowl on the said video made me more curious to know what is the fuzz all about. So here is my diyes sentimos on this latest "INSULTING" video about the Filipinos.

"Top 20 Reasons Why I Dislike ______", right from the very start we should know that this video is negative in nature. If you are so blindly passionate about something, then as much as possible you better stay away with such titles like this. I can't blame people for still watching this though, it is human nature to be naturally curios about things especially when someone of a different race is talking about another person's Father or Motherland, in this case it is the Philippines.

Watch ChannelFlix 20 Reasons Why I dislike the Philippines here

About: If you think really hard, I'm sure you can come up with a couple reasons not to like something. In the land he loves so much, let Jimmy take you on a lighthearted tour of the negative aspects of living in a crowded country located at the earth's equator. On the flip side, check out 20 Reasons I Love _____.

I suggest you watch the video from beginning to end to completely understand the nature of the video. It is a social commentary and a darn entertaining one. If you haven't seen it or have seen it and had a bad impressions on it, I think it warrants a second look. Finished? Now tell me what have you noticed on the video?

First, it is a video that intentionally finds the most trivial matters about the Philippines to include it on its top 20. Traffic is a problem of every (if not all) major cities around the world, so it is really trivial and nitpicking of him to include it in the list. I can add a couple more faults about the Philippines than traffic especially about religion and politics, but they didn't do so, so right then and there you know that they are not really aiming for the serious kind (or journalistic approach) on their top 20. Isn't it true that major roads, especially on the major cities here in the Philippines suffer heavy traffic? We can also traced this to poor enforcement of traffic laws, undisciplined drivers and pedestrians. He also included shameless beeping of horns of most Filipino drivers which by itself is very annoying. He included the very annoying and abusive Filipino barkers. I just hate it when these barkers position themselves on loading/unloading stations and have the shame to ask for a tip. My father was once a public utility jeepney driver and I used to accompany him back in the days, and by then I already hated their existence. The very small money we earned from each passengers fare were being stolen from us by such abusive and unnecessary barkers. Then they have the guts to get angry at drivers who won't pay them any tip? That's just twisted as hell!

He also included beggars on the streets which I too have personal experience with. I saw this mother of three kids who are all beggars on the street taking a ride home. So basically she let her kids do the job for her rather than providing for them. He is also right not to give money to such beggars as it is stated by our law. We can pity them, and give them food if they were really hungry, but if they preferred money over the food you offered then the more reason to doubt these poor straved beggars, not to mention that most of them are taken under the care of the social services, but they eventually escape to just return to begging on the streets. Talk about these beggars really desperate for food and shelter? ...that was a sarcastic statement. LOL.

Then there are the laughable trivial things like the Filipino comfort room. You obviously know that the guy isn't completely honest that every comfort room in the Philippines is as unsanitary and as bad as what he featured on it. Heck, he even featured a decent hotel and shopping mall in Cebu but did he include the comfort rooms on those said establishments? He didn't which makes it funny. I've got to agree with him on some parts, most public toilets whether they are inside or outside shopping malls usually don't have tissues, luckily we are not that big users of tissues, unfortunately for him, he does. Then there is the excessive use of plastics and little tissues, which he also had some very valid points.

One very funny moment in the video was when he was attended to by lady-boy's in a bar/restaurant where he ask the question "Why is it that every hot girls in the Philippines is a lady-boy?", which is duh? That just cracked me up. We all know that there are very hot and lovely REAL women in the Philippines you just have to look at the right place.

This is really a creative and funny video in a guise of a social commentary. What makes it more funnier is that it is based on actual facts about us, our people, culture and tradition with some pretty trivial and irrelevant stuff added to the mix. Do not be mislead by the title alone or the negative feedback received by the video. Try watching it with an open-mind, think that what if the host was not a foreigner but a Filipino. Is there really a need to be defensive and be butthurt over this video?

I for one have been very open in saying my mind (opinions) on various local and international issues, films, and tv shows. I am not even a citizen of the said country, but I was able to express my thoughts on it, but have any of these political figures, celebrities, film and television productions cry fowl of my commentary or reaction to them? They don't because first I am not that popular to warrant their attention (HAHAHA) and second the internet is a free platform where one can freely express himself (to a very justified extent). The video itself is not even that comprehensive as a social commentary, so why even take it too seriously. If you check out the official ChannelFlix website, you will know that it is an entertainment channel. The same channel who previously made a 20 Reasons I Love the Philippines.

Watch ChannelFlix 20 Reasons Why I Love the Philippines here

We, Filipinos are happy people. We can still smile or laugh in the face of adversities and challenges, so why are most of us can't seem to take criticism about our people, culture, and tradition? Why is it that when some of us laugh at other nation's many faults, mishaps or shortcomings it is alright, but when the tables turn and they in turn does the same exact thing, it seems so wrong? It is so double standard. It is alright to be patriotic and nationalistic only if it is on the right context. An acquaintance on my social network used to say that it is a case of misplaced patriotism and I completely agree. Now if you are to take this supposed to be creative and entertaining video to the teeth, then let me ask you this question, did he not raise any valid points on what you now call a an offensive and racist commentary?

Everyone is free to express their opinion on this video. But sometimes it gets really tiring to see such videos or personalities featured on local news not because of their talent, but for their said to be "offensive" and "controversial" content. This is just my honest opinion about this particular matter. You might have a completely different interpretation of the said video, if you do or do not, then fell free to share your thoughts on 20 Reasons Why I Dislike the Philippines? on the comments section below:

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:

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.