For Philippine Television Networks Consideration: Create An All-Original Filipino Tokusatsu Series Seriously for the Younger Television Audience

An All-Original Filipino-Made and Produced Tokusatsu Series Taken Seriously for Younger Philippine Television Audience
By Christopher Aquino, January 17, 2012.

We are who we are thanks to the things we experienced in our lives. There are also some factors that influence and shapes us, one of which is the mass media. Mass media plays a very critical and important role in shaping the minds of the youth, the world's future leader. So as much as possible we need to protect them as our future may very well depend on them right? But what does the mass media, mainly he television provide our children? A regular weeknight primetime soap operas which regularly tackles convoluted plots with adult themes like infidelity, LGBT (Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual, and Transgender) suggestions and innuendos, betrayal, revenge, sex, and murder, which all are unsuited for the young minds of the children. In a way parents are also to blame for not adhering to the television show warnings and guidelines (Parental Guidance) provided by the MTRCB "effectively" placed before each show. I am no moralist or anyone so fixated with such extreme ideals that I actually suggest taking the fun out of the usual simple things. I am not against the removal of such shows for it is a source of entertainment for adults, but they have to also give something for the children to chew on. While to adults, adult themes are just part of the norm, to children they are a bizarre and sometimes very overwhelming matter. How many young niece, nephews, cousins, brothers, and sisters have asked while watching a show "Totoo ba yan?" or "Patay na ba talaga sya?"; how about you justifying a show "Wag kang maniniwala dyan, hindi yan totoo". Thus, the curiosity comes in, and when you have issues like betrayal, sex, revenge, and sexual innuendos then that is a deadly mix with a child's natural curiosity. As a matter of fact I liked my politically incorrect violent kids television shows (cartoons) back in the days, and that is probably one factor that made me who I am today, a geek, which is the new "cool" and "sexy" of the 21st century.

What's with a Tokusatsu series? Kids are different today, they now knew when someone is preaching on them, sometimes they become resilient of such cases. So when they are entertained by let's say a particular kid's show like a tokusatsu series their usual defenses against adults directly preaching them with good morals and right conduct will be down. Tokusatsu shows can subliminally educate children about various values and good morals like love for parents, respect, friendship, loyalty, optimism, hardwork, perseverance, and many more. So besides the rating, and potential merchandising empire created by a tokusatsu series, there is also a good cause to it.

I still can remember the times that I come home from school to watch my favorite cartoon shows in the afternoon, wake up early to catch that early morning kid's show, or impatiently wait until it's 5 o'clock in the afternoon to watch my favorite tokusatsu series every weekends. Speaking of tokusatsus, let's focus more on that, shall we? According to Wikipedia "Tokusatsu" is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects. Tokusatsu literally translates as "special filming" in Japanese. Back in the days, the three or four television companies IBC (Ch13), ABS CBN (Ch2), RPN (Ch9), and GMA (Ch7) features such forms of "kid-friendly" entertainment. Yup, it was a different era (the roaring 90's) that time, tv networks actually listens to the pulse of the mass by importing foreign shows abroad which go way back from the 80's. From American series to Japanese tokusatsus and animes, everyone had the option to what channel to go to to get their specific fix. I remember waiting for Ultraman and MagmaMan in ABS CBN (I wish my memory served me right), waiting for Maskman, MachineMan, Shaider, and Masked Rider Black on IBC 13, and Dragon Balls on RPN 9. They were every parents dream programming, to turn to one station which both entertain them and their children alike. I can remember father, taking the initiative to actually tune in to an episode of Masked Rider Black back in those days. It was a hot topic amongst boys when in school. "Did you see Robert Akizuki beat the crap out of that monster?!" is one of the sample lines one can hear from a group of classmates in our elementary school back then. But now, what?

Kamen Rider Black a testimony that Tokusatsu has a place in Philippine television scene

Although I had to give acknowledgement to the two major Philippine television network for coming out with television adaptation of some of Philippine comics most reverred superheroes, and creating the fantaserye (fantasy television series) Philippine programming category, they are not enough to entertain every generations of audiences. Let's say one generation had the opportunity to enjoy a super hero series like Pandakekoks, Kristala, Pintados, or Captain Barbel, but what about the generations that comes after that? Although I can also suggest for television networks to make all their classic super hero shoes available in home video format, but nothing beats the live primetime television version right? This is where Japan excels in providing entertainment for every generation of child audiences. They have the tokusatsu television tradition. This is where I am hoping the Philippine television networks could consider... to create an on-going all-original Filipino-made tokusatsu or super hero series.

TV Networks can pull this off. They already did create such special effect filled super hero television series like Panday, Captain Barbell, Darna, LastikMan, Flash Bomba, and Super Inggo to name a few. One of the most notable but negatively received series that a TV Network has ever come closed to making a Filipino tokusatsu is GMA Network's Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan, the Philippine TV Network's version or rather a loosely based sequel of the popular 1984-1985 classic Japanese Metal Hero "Space Sheriff Shaider". Shaider was a beloved classic to those who grew up watching the popular metal hero series, so when Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan, a 2007 series looks way inferior than the 1984 predecessor Space Sheriff Shaider that it draws inspiration from, it was only natural for the majority of the Shaider and generally tokusatsu fans spoiled with the top notched quality Japan has brought them to hate and complain about the unofficial Filipino sequel, Zaido. On the other hand, the newer generation of Filipino kids (Philippine televiewing mass) didn't mind it which is an obvious clear sign of the potential of a possible successful tokusatsu series. If only the TV Network listened to that community.

The problem with Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan is that it followed the traditional time slot of every Filipino soap opera. The Philippine television viewing public was presented with a 20-minutes-a-day primetime series every weeknights rather than following the trusted Japanese timeslot formula of one 30-40 minute episode a week format. Being only once a week could give more time for the production team to polish the visual and special effects used in every major monster fights, but since Zaido is a weeknights series then it is expected for the show to have a poorly applied special effects that even a nine twelve year old would notice as a fake. If only the TV Network has taken the tokusatsu tv series more seriously, and focused more on a niche market the kids. If they only dropped all the unnecessary soap opera-ish drama cliches uncalled for a superhero series, focusing more on convincing special effects, engaging plot, awesome fight sequences and creative monster and superhero designs, then the network might had something special in their hands back then. Unfortunately, Zaido just miserably fail.

Learning from the failure that is Zaido, I believe that there is money (for tV Networks) and entertainment (for the Philippine TV audience) to have in the super hero or tokusatsu genre that is taken seriously. It is time for the (now three) leading Philippine television networks (ABS CBN, GMA, and TV5) to invest and engage on a much more younger television audience by not only importing foreign shows, but by making an all-Filipino tokusatsu or super hero series in a one-hour time format presented on a once a week basis (preferably weekends). If the TV Networks followed the Japanese kind of tokusatsu TV Series formula, then they can create a new niche, a loyal following, and amoney making merchandise. Appealing to kids, Japanese tokusastu series like the Kamen Rider and the Super Sentai created this unique audience where they can successfully market the various merchandise like plush toys, collectible cards, action figures, and video games related to the series that kids loved to watch. So imagine, if a Philippine TV Network does create something as popular and phenomenal like an annual series similar to what a Kamen Rider or Super Sentai series is like, then they don't only have a competitive show with good ratings which brings moe advertising for them, but it can also bring them new money making machinery. Tokusatsu shows are presented on a once a week showing basis for it gives the series more lifespan which is good for any of its merchandise. Just imagine how many toy merchandise can a company make under such titles, and repeat that same success year after year if they established this unique market. As long as the TV Network takes the genre seriously, then their audience will take them seriously. In a way, they are also training these young audience to become loyal followers which will itself sustain the new TV genre for as long as the company can keep doing it.

Hopefully the Philippine TV Networks can consider making an all-Filipino tokusatsu series seriously even if it is aimed at a younger audience.

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.