on penguins and sharon cuneta

Anyone seen the documentary film, the "March of the Penguins" yet?

I saw a promotional poster of the film, "Penguin, Penguin, Paano Ka Ginawa?" around the local movie houses in Manila some weeks ago. The film, originally in English and narrated by Morgan Freeman, was translated in the vernacular Tagalog and told this time by Filipina actress Sharon Cuneta. Anyway, I remembered Malu wanted me to see it if I got a hold of a copy. And so, through my resourcefulness (yup, you guessed it, I got the torrent--I'm a bottom-feeder!) I finally saw the documentary, and even a bonus video of how it was painstakingly filmed.

I'm at a loss for words really. The movie was spectacular and I truly admire how National Geographic did it. I just imagine the dedication and passion of the crew--braving the stone-cold conditions of Antarctica, traversing those immense distances of practically barren ice wastelands back and forth... Absolutely incredible! I can only feel gratitude for those people who managed to make a production of this kind so that a lot more people can understand, so we can see what they saw, and appreciate this marvelous world that we live in even though we weren't there firsthand. I believe the message they wanted to come across was not just admiring and conserving penguins. More wildlife, and even habitats, other than penguins require the same attention. I guess they wanted people to become more responsible of their environment, and that we can take part in taking care of them so that our children and our children's children can enjoy nature like how we enjoy it now. Even the Philippines boasts such a wealth of endemic wildlife. We don't have penguins, but we do have the Philippine Eagle--largest eagle in the world for starters, which is an endangered species, and we can and should take care of it too. Anyway, before I spill out more of this movie, do yourself a favor and see what I'm raving about.

Initially, I wondered why local producers chose that particular title for the Tagalog rendition because it was apparently not the exact translation of the English title. The Tagalog title meant "Penguin, Penguin, How Were You Made?" I realized now, after watching it, that it didn't matter anyway since the movie was really about the process on how Emperor Penguins were made, and if they adopted a strict translation (e.g. "Ang Martsa ng mga Penguin") it would have been off and a little inappropriate. The local version was also reputedly made "lighter" by making the narration not sound too intellectual. They preferred that the movie can cater to a lot more people of different backgrounds and ages that even kids would be able to see and enjoy the film. Of course, they have to make it sell, I understand that. I just hope that it wasn't because they felt that the Filipino masses were not up to something academic since it was out of the usual Pinoy drama or fantasy teleseryes on TV, or that something intellectual cannot be simultaneously entertaining to the Filipino as well.

I've read some articles and blog posts that commented on the local equivalent of the film. There were some who disapproved, even vehemently, of Sharon being the chosen local narrator despite them not having seen the local version yet. Eh? I mean, I'm no Sharon Cuneta fan, but why the violent reaction? Isn't she worthy of filling in the shoes of Morgan Freeman? Why? Because she's not good enough to replace the likes of one who won an Academy Award? Why? Because she's Asian and female, and therefore, she can never be as good as an American actor? Or maybe because she's Filipino; and thus, will always be inferior to Americans, Caucasians, or other nationalities for that matter? What a load of crap! They haven't even seen the film and they're making conjectures already on how bad the version might turn out all because it's Sharon's turn to make a name for herself by venturing on a project way different from her drama acting genre.

They can hate Sharon if she violates the principles they stand for, or for some other logical reason. But I am infuriated of the embedded underlying mentality that "Filipinos are inferior" is an accepted belief, and the fact that there are Filipinos who believe that their fellow Pinoys are so. It's even sad that way, actually. More than feeling angry, I am deeply grieved that this culture, unconsciously or not, has embraced an unpatriotic mindset. I can't blame them for thinking how they think. I blame the foreign entities more for pervading that colonial mentality for the past half millenia, and my forefathers who allowed themselves to be subjugated than die, or turned their backs on their tinubuang lupa and have forgotten who they really were. Damn, Lapu-Lapu didn't waste his life so that some Magellan and his cohorts could toil the land of his fathers! I used to think that way--that "Stateside" and anything imported were always better. I was a kid then. But I am a grown man now, and I know better. I know that I want to help my country understand its present fallen situation, and and be part of getting it up. If I want to serve my country, even little things will matter. Therefore, patronizing the Filipino--ang pagtangkilik sa Pilipino--and encouraging others to do the same is something I can do... at least.

[Penguins walking towards their breeding ground, which is probably still many miles away. The one ahead is trying to pick up the direction they all have to go to. Image grabbed from March of the Penguins (c) National Geographic and Warner Independent Pictures]

I guess it's a different matter if the type of films or shows on popular Pinoy TV are stuff that you'd rather want to forget and throw in the trash. I, myself, feel that alot of Filipino films and TV shows, especially news, are sappy, corny, unhealthily sensationalized, and sometimes lack real, substantial content. There should be something better other than just nice guys and girls learning how to become actors, or the formulaic rags- to-riches drama, or the latest fantasy/super hero genre! Come on, I know it! Gabe and I wondered why most of the debate shows were aired on late nights (e.g., 12 midnight and beyond) and not on primetime slots. Why? Because Filipinos don't like talking about serious issues (like why the airport terminal 3 still isn't operating, or why medical professionals want out of this country rather than in) and stuff that really matter while eating their home-cooked dinner at 7 o'clock? I hope not. Something was really wrong there, we agreed. I suggest reading Gabe on his comparison on Asian filmmaking and his utter discontent on the Filipino kind of movies. I learned something there. Anyway, that's a different matter. I'd say, "tangkilikin ang Pinoy," but as always, there's such a thing as being discerning of quality.

Many thanks, by the way, to Malu who told me that the March of the Penguins was a must-see movie--and true enough, it was. I believe the Tagalog version is still showing this week. I don't see any reason not to see it.