Pinoy soap meets world?

Since "Pangako Sa Yo" has found its way into the primetime block, it has sent some devotees of the tube abuzz with suppositions behind its comeback. Is ABS-CBN running out of better and brand-new ideas? Is the network killing time because they're not yet through with the making of some soap that's intended to air in the now Pangako Sa 'Yo-occupied timeslot?

Our TV networks have always been fond of airing reruns anyway, and instead of a foreign drama (they're all over from daytime to primetime), why not a Filipino-made production instead? It would also be interesting for some of us to (re)discover what made this "teleserye," the second most-watched soap in recent Philippine TV history according to AGB Nielsen Philippines, clicked so well off our shores.

Though it would be too presumptuous at this point to suggest that we can do a "Hallyu" (a term coined to refer to the phenomenal cultural diffusion of the South Korean pop culture via the Koreanovela) in the light of the drama's overseas success, it nevertheless indicates the potential of the Filipino drama to make good abroad.

According to www.abs-cbn.com, "Pangako Sa 'Yo" (AKA "The Promise" as its international broadcast title) was shown/currently showing in Malaysia, Cambodia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, USA and European countries (via The Filipino Channel), Kenya, Zambia, Ghana and Tanzania. It proved to be a sensational hit in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Singapore. Its highest rating in the neighboring country of Indonesia was reportedly 50%, beating "Full House," which ironically outperformed some of our locally mounted productions when it was airing last year over at GMA 7. "Pangako Sa 'Yo" shares the stage with Korean soaps such as "Jewel in the Palace" and "Winter Sonata" as one of the top-rated imported dramas ever shown in Indonesia.

To somehow understand what the foreign audiences liked about "Pangako," I'm putting here some reviews posted on the television-movie database www.imdb.com. From Aina-Paulina Muulila of Namibia: "The movie had [been] shown in our country about 6 weeks ago by one of the wonderful TV channel'ONE Africa TELEVISION and I find it very interesting. And every Wednesday and Thursday I make sure Iam there to watch it. My sisters and brothers are also crazy about it. I like Yna most, she is great. I wish she can come and visit us at Namibia. I also like Angelo he did not allow his mother to manipulate him to by stopping him to love Yna. He also decided that he is going to love Yna even though she is poor and a maid. I think Angelo is a great guy who knows what does it mean to live somebody without considering her back ground and how poor or rich she is. Good lucky (sic) to all the actors in the drama."

Another registered user wrote: "I really like this movie. From the actress Yna, I have learned a lot-to hold on to my dreams and never give up. If I were to recommend something, I will recommend this film to all African youths it has a great message for them. This movie is also good because of its religious background. Through Yna and Angelo, the message of abstinence has been brought out. The movie is [devoid] of immorality. As a Christian, I will say that is very good."

I remember interviewing the Malaysian celebrity, veejay Paula of Channel [V] who came to Cebu to grace a series of events sponsored by the music channel last year. She revealed that one of her chief assignments was to interview Echo due to enormous public demand. Echo is so big in Malaysia that his visits as well as the launch of his band's debut album in Malaysia were mobbed.

I never got round to seeing "Pangako Sa 'Yo's" first run, but I had an idea of its success in the homefront going by the girls that crowded over a common TV in where I used to live, a ladies dorm along U.N. Avenue, Manila. "Napako Sa 'Yo," became the running joke then, as they were practically nailed to their seats as soon as Vina Morales' interpretation of the theme song streams into the living room. And knowing that I worked for a national paper, a young nun who manned the reception would religiously greet my arrival with a question, "When will you feature Yna and Angelo?"

Yna and Angelo are the screen names of Kristin Hermosa and Jericho Rosales, respectively. "Pangako Sa Yo," the initial run of which began in 2000 and lasted for two years, served as the launch pad of their love team (and careers!), spawning another TV soap opera, a movie, plus numerous TV appearances and magazine covers. The drama has also turned Eula Valdez (Amor Powers) and Jean Garcia (Madame Claudia) from starlets to certified stars.

I've always believed that a TV series and even a movie are powerful mediums to form impressions and sway opinions. Take for example the Koreanovela. Despite Koreans' oft-reported "rowdy and rude" behavior in taxis, restaurants and cinemas, there is no mass animosity towards Koreans, and I would like to believe that would have to do with the fevered patronage of many Filipinos of Korean dramas. The Koreanovela is widely commended not just here in the country, but also elsewhere in the world for projecting the good about their culture-from traditions to destinations-and showcasing long-standing values amid the fast-changing times. "Pangako Sa 'Yo" in a way has birthed opportunities for other Pinoy soaps to be shown abroad. Just imagine possibilities they could bring of promoting the country-our local attractions, our talents, our beliefs-that might help correct misrepresentations and bad publicity that have hounded the country and consequently, slapped us with travel advisories in recent years.

I'm also inclined to believe that there is a current worldwide trend that speaks of the western entertainment industry's increasing interest in Asian cinema and TV, which we should also take advantage of. Why else would Hollywood be making adaptations of Korean romances or Japanese horror flicks?

Right now, in the face of the digifilm revolution raging in the country, and with many Filipino movies being entered in international filmfest competitions, there's an important concern from former MTRB member and director Emmanuel Borlaza that is worth pondering on. He was quoted as saying in a newspaper interview: "Bakit kadalasang ipinapadala sa abroad ay Filipino films na nagpapakita ng labis na kahirapan, at mga character na tulad ng nakikita sa mga gay bar?" Producers/directors should be careful on what their TV dramas or movies, for that matter, (what with their great potential of being shown abroad) would tell the world about the Philippines and what would they tell Filipinos about themselves.