MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Higher Education (CHED) commissioner Ronald Adamat’s letter sent to ABS-CBN as a reaction to the network’s upcoming fantasy series, “Bagani,” has been trending on social media. The letter, which CHED sent on March 2, has been posted by a netizen on the same date and now has over 4,500 likes and 5, 860 shares.
Addressed to ABS-CBN President Karlo Katigbak, the letter has been written to demand explanation behind the ethos of “Bagani,” starring Enrique Gil, Liza Soberano, Matteo Guidicelli, Makisig Morales and Sofia Andres.
“As a leader and former of the House of Representatives representing the Indigenous Peoples (IP), the undersigned…would like to seek the immediate clarification and explanation from ABS-CBN as to how and why the term ‘Bagani,’ which is an Indigenous Peoples terminology and endemic only to IPs, ended up being used in a teleserye that I suspect is devoid of real meaning and substance,” Adamat said.
Adamat alleged that the show’s writers and producers might have “overlooked” and “neglected” the sensitivities of the IPs. The commissioner also quoted an interview with “Bagani’s” cast, in which Enrique reportedly said: “Para siyang bayani. It’s the story about how the Philippines, ‘di ba archipelagic tayo, how the Philippines was born. It’s about our culture.”
Enrique allegedly added in the interview: “Superhero ako at ang pangalan ko po doon ay si Lakas.” Based on this interview, Adamat said, “It is not enough for writers and producers of movies and teleseryes with concepts, titles, and characters that would sell and create blockbusters yet carry with them half-truths and lies that destroy and negate the essence of an IP terminology, as in the case of ‘Bagani,’ and instead bring injustice to the 14 million Filipino IPs.”
Besides asking for the show’s cultural and historical bases, the commissioner demanded “an urgent clarification and explanation” as to how and why the word “Bagani” ended up in the show’s storyboards. Adamat said the show, which had its pilot episode on Monday night as replacement for “La Luna Sangre,” will have “a negative impact among Filipino viewers especially the young students.”
The commissioner is also bothered by the use of “Bagani” as a “bayani with magical powers,” as such use has been deemed “detached” from its original use among IPs. “I cannot tolerate the public showing of the said teleserye as long as ABS-CBN will not revise the format and concept,” Adamat said.
He recommended revising the show’s concept into something “educational,” “historically accurate” and “culturally correct” from the IP perspective. On March 5, ABS-CBN has released a statement providing explanation, as demanded by CHED.
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