Television’s generation next

All things do change and Philippine broadcasting is going through a generational shift from the "Baby Boomers" to "Generation X." Worldwide, at least 50 percent of the workforce consists of what experts say as Gen X; born from 1965 to 1978, members of this generation are turning 29 to 42 this year. As this younger generation continues its growing importance in all spheres of our social, economic and political life, we may all come to appreciate their high level of confidence, knowledge and working skills than workers of previous generations.

In particular, the passing of the baton, so to speak, is now evident among the leading lights of the broadcasting industry as a new set of outstanding players has taken in the reins of supervision and creative control of the country’s TV institutions. In the multitude of new faces that represents the ascendancy of this generation, we choose to profile three upcoming broadcast practitioners whose professionalism, dedication to their craft and world-class achievements are worthy of note and marked them as among Philippine broadcasting’s best new faces.

Jun Lana

Head, Creative Consultants team, GMA Network

Nine years after he penned the script for the much-acclaimed movie, Jose Rizal, Palanca Hall of Famer Jun recalls how he forayed into the world of TV as he decided to cast his lot with GMA, then the No. 2 broadcast network in the country. "At that time (2003), I was being offered by both tv networks (the other one was ABS-CBN)," says the writer/ director. "But I opted for GMA because I knew I would be given the leeway to do something creatively different."

Jun explains that at that time, ABS CBN was lording it over on the TV ratings and he felt that the shows they had were already kasado, with little or no opportunity for him to effect some changes. GMA, on the other hand, was willing to gamble on his ideas and concepts as the network struggled for years trying to gain headway against its chief rival in the ratings game. So Jun, together with a pool of writers, came up with fantaserye like Darna, Sugo and Mulawin.

What Jun has done was to bring these familiar Pinoy story themes and re-energize them for a new generation of viewers. By these efforts, GMA soon established itself as the No. 1 station and won the numbers game, specifically in Mega and Metro Manila audiences. "It feels good to be part of the change," Jun says.

Recently, Jun has started to try his hand in tv directing. He now megs the recently-launched weekly show, Boysnxdr, featuring the current crop of winners of StarStruck. Noted as one of the country’s best writers, he is not entirely new in working behind the camera since he has directed made-for-tv movies like Unico Hijo (starring Eddie Garcia and Dennis Trillo) and the Asian TV Awards finalist Milagroso (starring Cesar Montano) and films like Gigil, Maricel Soriano’s segment in the Gawad Kalinga movie trilogy, Paraiso, and the horror film Kulam, now in production. But Jun admits that TV is an entirely different ballgame than cinema.

"In TV, you write primarily for an audience because your product is gauged by the ratings it generates," explains Jun. Initially, Jun had a difficult time adjusting to the tv set-up because "you have to develop a certain ‘pulse’ to know what will click with the masses or not." Thanks to the weekly real-life drama program Kasangga, which was his creation, Jun was able to develop his "gut-feel" for what will connect to the audience or not.

His advice to those who want to become part of the industry? "Study your craft and know if you have the passion for it."

Perci Intalan

Head, Creative and Entertainment Production, ABC 5

Being one of the youngest TV executives in the country today is no mean feat for 35-year-old Perci who heads both the Creative and Entertainment Production of ABC 5. The network has been aggressively positioning itself as one of the top broadcast stations in the country and among those overseeing its creative and programming effort is this boyish-looking, bespectacled man whose looks belie the years of broadcast experience and mastery of his craft that characterize his career.

As head of Creative and Entertainment Production, Perci oversees the development, execution and production management of all the network’s entertainment programs as well as all on-air promos, radio, print and outdoor advertising efforts of ABC 5. The challenges facing him as top programming honcho includes dealing with the broadcast industry’s big name stars and production crews and an army of publicists and members of the press, which a person of less-sterner stuff would find simply overwhelming.

Yet Perci has been in the saddle since he was 21 years old and thriving; and under his stewardship, the network is making an impact with the viewers with his handling and supervision of shows like the Philippine Idol, Shall We Dance and S.O.S. Stories of Survival. Truly, the epitome of the Gen X for the passion and forthrightness that he brings to his work, Perci despite his youth and relative age gets along with everybody quite well as narrated by a staffer who closely works with Perci and who has only kind words for her boss whom she says "she loves dearly" for being professional, accessible and fair.

Behind the creative dynamo that characterizes the busy broadcast executive is a lifetime of honing and perfecting his talents and skills having started in the broadcast business by his joining GMA Network as a copywriter in the network’s creative services department in 1993. His passion and dedication to his craft have been affirmed by several citations and awards he received from international award-winning bodies like New York Film and TV Festivals, the London International Advertising Awards and Promax Asia.

After five years in GMA Network, Perci decided to conquer a bigger "world" altogether by joining Walt Disney Company (Asia Pacific) as an executive producer and production manager. Perci was based in Hong Kong but was logging in thousands of flier miles as he shuttled between his home-base and countries like Australia, Spain and Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia and of course the Philippines in the course of his international productions.

At Disney, Perci was able to learn the fine art and logistical science of mounting a production on a truly global scale. He was casting 130 kids from Australia and Asia for his first long-form production for Disney Channel/ ESPN Junior X Games. It was the first major sports initiative of Walt Disney Television in the Asia Pacific region and Perci was the over-all in-charge of the successful endeavor. It gave him a first-hand account of how an international production is designed and the hands-on experience of directing such a cross-cultural TV program.

On top of that, Perci was also multi-tasking: "As a producer, I was also expected to do everything, from writing, directing, editing, storyboarding," explains Perci. Disney was a wholistic learning experience for Perci that when he felt that it was time to go back home, he knew that he would bring with him valuable techniques and lessons which he hopes to share with his colleagues here in Manila.

Perci never saw himself working outside a TV network so when the offer to join ABC 5 came, it didn’t take him long to accept the proposal. "I always feel I don’t age in this industry," Perci says. "It is a fun environment where you can express your creativity and not be boxed in by norms and certain standards," he adds. One of the first projects in ABC 5 which he is proud of is the dance competition, Shall We Dance?. "Wala na kasing ballroom dancing at that time we launched the show," says Perci. "But today, it is already on its fifth season and still doing well. Another network even tried to do a similar format."

The lure of the showbiz industry is very tempting for young people eager to break into the business and Perci knows that most of these kids want to be in it simply for its glitz and glamour. But Perci cautions the young people to know if this is what they really want and if they do realize that showbiz is for them, "they should dive in and absorb things in order for them to learn." It takes years of careful nurturing and self-realization to become a professional and to really excel.

"But we don’t want these kids to be our clones. We want them to learn from us and yet, be critical of what we do," emphasizes Perci. "They need to know the rules so that they can break it."

Lino Cayetano

TV Director, ABS-CBN

Lino Cayetano, in contrast to his siblings who followed a political career blazed by his late father, Sen. Renato Cayetano, marched to a different drummer, so to speak. It was in broadcasting that he will make his mark; starting as the director of StarStruck when it was first launched in 2003 on GMA Network. This was after completing his studies at the University of the Philippines where he majored in Film and later on took up Cinematography, Directing and Digital Film at New York University School of Visual Arts. After a short stint with GMA, Lino moved to ABS-CBN and never looked back as he continues to leave his indelible imprint in some of the most popular programs seen in present-day Philippine TV.

The 29-year-old TV director first megged a soap with veteran filmmaker Maryo J. de los Reyes in Mga Anghel na Walang Langit. It was followed by another team-up with the same director in Calla Lilly.

Lino admits he considers direk Maryo one of his mentors in the industry, together with direk Joey Reyes and screenwriter Mel del Rosario. He feels fortunate that through them "I have learned a lot about life and that to me is more important than learning about the industry itself," Lino states.

In contrast to the cynicism of the times, it is refreshing to note that the fervor and idealism of youth are evident in the young director who wishes to contribute to the education of the viewing public through "more thought-provoking TV programs."

"I wish I could do more shows that could inspire, give hope and at the same time, provide entertainment to the people," Lino confides.

"When your work is dear to you, regardless of the pitfalls and challenges that go with your work, you go past these because the greater goal is to tell a story that hopefully, the viewers will be able to relate to and learn from," he emphasizes.

While he was studying in New York, Lino, after some deep reflection and self-examination, he realized that he wanted to be a filmmaker. He has his sights now on directing his own full-length movie, a medium he really loves since it gives him more freedom than directing a TV program. "Film commands total attention from the audience," explains Lino.

Now he is working towards that dream which could very well happen soon. "I did StarStruck at the age of 25. Even if I make my first film when I’m in my 50s, I would still be happy because I know that that decision I made in my life in NY had turned not only as a profession but as a passion in which I can use to positively influence the people," Lino enthuses.

As a lecturer at the UP College of Mass Communication Film Department, Lino often tells his students to pursue their own interest — be it in politics, sports, environment or women’s issues. According to Lino, "TV and films are just mediums to communicate." If the students want to say something, to ask, to question, to celebrate, they should know why they are doing these things. "Because not knowing why you are into it will bring about a program or a film that has no heart and soul."

Such is the passion that animates Lino’s Generation X that the world that will emerge from their labors will be a vastly different place — much better perhaps, more technologically savvy, more environmentally astute, much more confident in facing the future.