Cesar Apolinario explores nature

Director Cesar Apolinario (Banal) pays tribute to Ishmael Bernal’s Himala, recently given the CNN APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of all Time.

He revisits one of the most scenic locations in the country — the sand dunes of Ilocos Norte where Himala was filmed. In his guest appearance on GMA 7’s Born to be Wild, Cesar directs his own adventure as he explores the many miracles of the natural world. Sand dunes — hills of dirt commonly found in desert countries — can be in the Philippines.

These mounds of dust served as the glorious backdrop for Pinoy movie greats like Himala and Panday and foreign films like Born on the Fourth of July. Meticulously planning and executing each shot in the featured Philippine desert, Cesar uses his talent to create his own mini-masterpiece proving that in the midst of nature’s wonders, one can cry out, “May himala!”

Also in tonight’s episode, Born to be Wild’s resident veterinarian gets an upclose encounter with giants. It’s uncommon to see enormous animals walking about in the Philippines. Elephants, the Earth’s largest land mammals, are usually pictured wandering the deserts of Africa, or serving kings in other parts of Asia. But did you know that elephants once roamed our lands? In Cagayan, remains of elephant ancestors were found. Similar fossils have been discovered in Mindanao, Iloilo and Rizal.

Doc Ferds traces the history of these creatures which once walked the Philippines. His journey takes him to Thailand where living elephants still walk the streets. In a retirement home for these amazing giants, Doc Ferds gets an awesome encounter, and even becomes doctor for the day. Doc gets playful with baby elephants, gives them a good scrub down and plays elephant caretaker, even learning how to ride these gentle beasts.

Born to be Wild airs tonight after Saksi.