Bingit tells the whole story

MANILA, Philippines - Mention the Tagalog word bingit and what initially comes to mind is all about misery and melancholy. But GMA 7’s latest offering, titled Bingit, is not a mere re-telling of unpleasant events. It is a human drama that will not only touch the heart but will also display how one is able to emerge from a tragedy stronger in facing life ahead. 

“The concept of the show started not to tell stories literally about the bingit ng buhay but to show what happens when a person comes to a tipping point of his life that would make him realize that he has to make a decision,” began program manager Enri Calaycay regarding the title of the Saturday afternoon show that will start airing Sept. 21 after Startalk. “And when we presented it (the concept), there was an input that to make it easier for viewers to understand, kasi medyo general pa yung unang concept, they said why not use na lang literally bingit dahil very interesting naman yung mga ganung kwento.”

Thus, the production team wasted no time pulling together stories that are interesting and remarkable. Using the elements of interview, dramatization, actual videos and photos, the 45-minute show will magnify how one’s decision coupled with the power of the human spirit can overcome any life-threatening situation.

For the pilot episode, Bingit will feature the story of Sr. Insp. Jun Abrazado, the aide-de-camp of the late DILG Sec.  Jesse Robredo. Jun is the lone survivor in the plane crash that killed Robredo, pilot Capt. Jessup Bahinting and co-pilot Kshitiz Chand when the private plane owned by Bahinting crashed in the waters off Masbate in August of last year.

This is the first time, Calaycay noted, that Abrazado will share his story on TV after the tragic incident. “After telling Jun about the show and its objective, he agreed to tell the story to us.”

She added that they really wanted to air the show’s pilot, with Jun’s recollection of the actual happening of what can be considered as “a hair’s breadth away from death” moment for him, in time for the annual feast day of Peñafrancia de Naga this month. Jun is a devotee of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Mark Herras plays Jun while Vaness del Moral portrays Jun’s wife Lourvila.

“No,” replied Calaycay when asked regarding an honorarium for their subject. “We didn’t give anything to Jun and he did not ask anything in return from us. Ganun din sa iba, they didn’t ask any favor or request.”

Bingit will also feature baby Tyron Kyle Bueno who survived the M/V Mt. Carmel mishap last June. He was rescued by a lady doctor who was also onboard the ship which sank off Burias Island.

The third episode is about Julio Balanoba, an Ivatan fisherman who went missing during the onslaught of Typhoon Labuyo but was found drifting off Japanese waters by the Japanese Marine authorities.

The succeeding episodes will also present survival stories of popular personalities and ordinary people.

Through the show, televiewers will see how they, after that life-threatening incident, remain strong for their loved ones.

Bingit is directed by Rico Gutierrez and Lem Lorca.