Signing on
Every morning I have the habit of taking a long walk around our subdivision. Whenever I pass a sari-sari store selling newspapers I couldn't resist on peeking at the headlines. I am inspired about writing about them not because of anything but out of my personal observation regarding the quality of their stories printed. When I was in college my Journalism professor Sir Ron (who is now a reporter on TV Patrol World) discussed in class about sensationalism in media, both on broadcast and print. In the latter, the tabloids lead the way. Such sensationalism is termed Yellow Journalism. The objective of adulterating facts with subjective interjections is more for commercial purposes. And it figures: headlines about murders, rapes, crimes of passion and exposés screams at the front page;pictures of bloodied cadavers printed in full color instead in black and white and on some tabloids, pictures of near naked, or naked women grace the front. ( I collected some of them ha ha ha).
Compared to broad sheets, tabloids are more accesible to the mass market because it is cheaper, convenient, and generally understood by all since some of them are written in Filipino. With the exception of the few which are cleaner and decent, tabloids, in my opinion, is more on the business of selling than in the business of truth. The fact that they cater to patrons who digs such stories contributes much to their increase in profit. I know, I was one of them.
Now there's a couple of tabloids on the top of the computer desk where I am currently typing this post. I have read them before I started writing. I know why it's so popular. But I decline to reason why; somebody might lynch me...
Signing off
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Mystery Man
Signing on
Inside the Bahay ni Kuya each participant knows well what they are getting. Every word, every move, if they did something either good or bad, if they tripped on something, rest assured that Big Brother would know it, and if he says (in a deep bass voice) "Pumasok kayo sa confession room" will surely make their knees shudder. They fear him. They respect him. They hear him. But they can't see him.
Outside there's this fellow much like in the same vein as Kuya. But the difference is that he is a writer; his works are widely read and almost everybody knows about them. All six books under his authorship. We laughed at them. Emphatized at them. Pondered at them. But we never see him.
And he hides under the name Bob Ong.
If you ask me which among his six books I consider my most favorite? A resounding Bakit Baligtad Magbasa ng Libro ang Pilipino? Why? Because it is an uncompromising book containing the foibles and the misbehavior some of us Filipinos often do but often (but sometimes, always) ignore. It is an eye-opener about the other side of the Philippines through his own words, as well as other Filipinos here and abroad who share their thoughts about being Filipinos. In my possession I own Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas (a book pondering philosophically about life, existence and spirituality) and Stainless Longganisa (an introspective on BO's life as a writer as well as about his books that he had written), as well as his first, ABNKKBSNPLAko!? (a narrative about the author's experience as a student, as well as his views about education and being educated) although it was borrowed. I have read Alamat ng Gubat (A sidesplitting fable of a parody of Philippine society) and MacArthur ( a novel about friendship amidst the the backdrop of squalor, poverty and drugs) through my cousin, who like me, is a BO fan.
He has become a household name for his books which are mostly social commentaries laced with humor which makes them interesting reads. And the fact that he chose the Filipino language as his medium did they became comprehensible to everybody. Agree with them or disagree with them, laugh at them or barf at them, read from start to finish or read the first few pages then shut it close, the point is that you are affected. The same way that they affected me. If you have managed to read all six, or some of them then congratulations; you have met someone who dared to swim against the current of commercialism in print media. The one who dared to shake us to our senses and think about ourselves as Filipinos and our country the Philippines. Kung may pagkakataon e ipagtatayo ko sya ng rebulto, kung alam ko lang ang itsura niya. But it doesn't matter. The fact that we didn't know what he looks like adds mystery to his works. But rest assured BO exists.
And he will continue to exist.
Signing off
Inside the Bahay ni Kuya each participant knows well what they are getting. Every word, every move, if they did something either good or bad, if they tripped on something, rest assured that Big Brother would know it, and if he says (in a deep bass voice) "Pumasok kayo sa confession room" will surely make their knees shudder. They fear him. They respect him. They hear him. But they can't see him.
Outside there's this fellow much like in the same vein as Kuya. But the difference is that he is a writer; his works are widely read and almost everybody knows about them. All six books under his authorship. We laughed at them. Emphatized at them. Pondered at them. But we never see him.
And he hides under the name Bob Ong.
If you ask me which among his six books I consider my most favorite? A resounding Bakit Baligtad Magbasa ng Libro ang Pilipino? Why? Because it is an uncompromising book containing the foibles and the misbehavior some of us Filipinos often do but often (but sometimes, always) ignore. It is an eye-opener about the other side of the Philippines through his own words, as well as other Filipinos here and abroad who share their thoughts about being Filipinos. In my possession I own Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas (a book pondering philosophically about life, existence and spirituality) and Stainless Longganisa (an introspective on BO's life as a writer as well as about his books that he had written), as well as his first, ABNKKBSNPLAko!? (a narrative about the author's experience as a student, as well as his views about education and being educated) although it was borrowed. I have read Alamat ng Gubat (A sidesplitting fable of a parody of Philippine society) and MacArthur ( a novel about friendship amidst the the backdrop of squalor, poverty and drugs) through my cousin, who like me, is a BO fan.
He has become a household name for his books which are mostly social commentaries laced with humor which makes them interesting reads. And the fact that he chose the Filipino language as his medium did they became comprehensible to everybody. Agree with them or disagree with them, laugh at them or barf at them, read from start to finish or read the first few pages then shut it close, the point is that you are affected. The same way that they affected me. If you have managed to read all six, or some of them then congratulations; you have met someone who dared to swim against the current of commercialism in print media. The one who dared to shake us to our senses and think about ourselves as Filipinos and our country the Philippines. Kung may pagkakataon e ipagtatayo ko sya ng rebulto, kung alam ko lang ang itsura niya. But it doesn't matter. The fact that we didn't know what he looks like adds mystery to his works. But rest assured BO exists.
And he will continue to exist.
Signing off
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
(Partial) Memories of an 80's Childhood Part 4
Signing on
"Monkey,monkey Annabel. How many monkeys did you see?"
"Tagu-taguan maliwanag ang buwan. Tayo maglaro ng tagu-taguan"
"Doctor Quack Quack!!!"
Ahhh, the joy of being a kid back in those days. I would like to comment that kids back in the day are more creative in terms of entertaining themselves. I mean, internet was still a virtual unknown here, and aside from cartoons that I have mentioned in my previous posts, playing outdoors is our source of amusement, as well as an enjoyable form of exercise (no wonder we are healthier then!). When I was a kid we used to live with our aunt in Parañaque; me, my two sisters, our cousins, and other playmates would meet together every afternooon for some dose of fun and games. Read the intro? Those are some of the games that we enjoyed. Taguan is obviously hide and seek. The "taya" shoulc turn his or her back to the players, and facing the wall with eyes covered the taya must count to ten while the players scamper around for a place to hide. When all had hid the (okay, to avoid redundance I'll substitute taya with "it") it will search those who are hiding and when found the caught player must race with the it to the wall and, upon touching must shout "Save!"; if the player is unsuccesful in getting to the wall first he will be the next it. And the whole thing goes on and on until everyone is exhausted. In Doctor Quack-Quack, the it is the doc. The other players will entangle themselves and shout "Doctor Quack-Quack!" The it wll then try to untangle them. In Monkey Monkey Anabel, well, can somebody describe it to me once again. I still need to refresh my memory about how to play the game. I have also played luksong-tinik, habulan and patintero to name a few.
Being a son of a seaman I have the privilege of having toys that I treasured. I remember owning Matchbox die-casts, a toy laser gun, robots, and a slot car set. When I was seven I received a Transformers Sharkticon as a Christmas present. How I enjoyed it then because I was dying to have one.
Long before Sony Playstation and Nintendo Wii there was the Family Computer. When we lived in Baclaran a neighbor used to run a computer game rental business, and I must admit, it is a profitable one. I remember being one of the uzis who watched the game and wishing that we have one in our house. [Author's note: Hanabishi has produced their own Family Computer.] To play it a cartridge must be inserted in the slot. The selected cartridge contains a specific game. There are also cartridges that has multiple games stored inside. You know, the 5-in-i, 10-in-1 and other -in 1s. That's how it was back then.
Signing off
"Monkey,monkey Annabel. How many monkeys did you see?"
"Tagu-taguan maliwanag ang buwan. Tayo maglaro ng tagu-taguan"
"Doctor Quack Quack!!!"
Ahhh, the joy of being a kid back in those days. I would like to comment that kids back in the day are more creative in terms of entertaining themselves. I mean, internet was still a virtual unknown here, and aside from cartoons that I have mentioned in my previous posts, playing outdoors is our source of amusement, as well as an enjoyable form of exercise (no wonder we are healthier then!). When I was a kid we used to live with our aunt in Parañaque; me, my two sisters, our cousins, and other playmates would meet together every afternooon for some dose of fun and games. Read the intro? Those are some of the games that we enjoyed. Taguan is obviously hide and seek. The "taya" shoulc turn his or her back to the players, and facing the wall with eyes covered the taya must count to ten while the players scamper around for a place to hide. When all had hid the (okay, to avoid redundance I'll substitute taya with "it") it will search those who are hiding and when found the caught player must race with the it to the wall and, upon touching must shout "Save!"; if the player is unsuccesful in getting to the wall first he will be the next it. And the whole thing goes on and on until everyone is exhausted. In Doctor Quack-Quack, the it is the doc. The other players will entangle themselves and shout "Doctor Quack-Quack!" The it wll then try to untangle them. In Monkey Monkey Anabel, well, can somebody describe it to me once again. I still need to refresh my memory about how to play the game. I have also played luksong-tinik, habulan and patintero to name a few.
Being a son of a seaman I have the privilege of having toys that I treasured. I remember owning Matchbox die-casts, a toy laser gun, robots, and a slot car set. When I was seven I received a Transformers Sharkticon as a Christmas present. How I enjoyed it then because I was dying to have one.
Long before Sony Playstation and Nintendo Wii there was the Family Computer. When we lived in Baclaran a neighbor used to run a computer game rental business, and I must admit, it is a profitable one. I remember being one of the uzis who watched the game and wishing that we have one in our house. [Author's note: Hanabishi has produced their own Family Computer.] To play it a cartridge must be inserted in the slot. The selected cartridge contains a specific game. There are also cartridges that has multiple games stored inside. You know, the 5-in-i, 10-in-1 and other -in 1s. That's how it was back then.
Signing off
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Splinters
Signing on
A recently conducted survey revealed that we Filipinos are the second happiest people in the Asian region. This means despite the tumult, despite the disasters,despite the repeated cycle of economic boom and bust and despite of impoverished living lifestyle we still manage to smile and even joke about it. I bet my bottom peso the government would give credit to the so-called economic growth that president GMA boasts about. Ah, if they only know...
********************************
Isn't it a wonder why Magdalo would choose places like Oakwood and the Manila Peninsula to voice out their grievances and to call out everyone to rally behind them in their drive to oust GMA out of Malacañang? Crying for a jologs revolution from a coño crib: how oxymorous......
*********************************
ABS-CBN filed a lawsuit against AGB Nielsen for an alleged anomaly in the ratings of their program after somebody spilled the beans of a manipulation pulled by another station in exchange for, the informant claim, five hundred pesos and groceries. Shortly afterwards GMA network expressed their concern about the matter saying that they too are victims of such manipulation. I smell ratings war....
******************************************
Sunday, November 25, 2007
(Partial) Memories Of An 80's Childhood part three
Signing on
The eighties have been said to be an era for local Philippine movies. I could still remember that there are only a handful of foreign movies being shown here, and most of the time Filipino movies dominate the box office. What I remember best about the movies popular in the era is what some calls the "fan movies" You know, movies with predominantly campy aesthetic, demographically catering to young audiences, always starring popular young actors and actresses of the time, formulaic in terms of plot and storylines, and most especially, with a production number before the closing credits. Today everytime I watch them I realized, did I really enjoyed them? Now I find all the singing, all the dancing, all of the theatrics at the end very annoying, very irrelevant, and very cheesy. Oh well, I guess that I'll just be thankful that it became obsolete when the 90's set it.
When I was a kid, and when we were still living then in the outskirts of Makati (it wasn't declared a city then), everytime we go out to watch a movie the usual place would be Makati Cinema Square along Pasong Tamo. It occupied the, hmm, let me think... Okay, my guess that is was the third floor of Plaza Fair;the other movie house which we often go is Spring Cinema. If you (yes you, the reader or visitor) are from Pasay City you would know what I am talking about. What we frequently watch is the kind that I had described above. My most favorite, and perhaps the only ones that I would want to watch, are movies of Tito, Vic and Joey.
Now on foreign films. Remember "The Never Ending Story"? How about "Flight of the Navigator"? Man, if you did, then we're on the same league. I enjoyed them as a kid. Too bad I never had a chance to see "Santa Claus the Movie" and "Pippi Longstocking". Kids my age then were not allowed to watch actions films as they are deemed too graphically violent for our (once) young, innocent eyes. But nevermind, I was not a fan of such films; once I hit adolescence did I only manage to watch and grew to love them. Hey, guess you'll learn with age, eh?
(to be continued, again)
Signing off
The eighties have been said to be an era for local Philippine movies. I could still remember that there are only a handful of foreign movies being shown here, and most of the time Filipino movies dominate the box office. What I remember best about the movies popular in the era is what some calls the "fan movies" You know, movies with predominantly campy aesthetic, demographically catering to young audiences, always starring popular young actors and actresses of the time, formulaic in terms of plot and storylines, and most especially, with a production number before the closing credits. Today everytime I watch them I realized, did I really enjoyed them? Now I find all the singing, all the dancing, all of the theatrics at the end very annoying, very irrelevant, and very cheesy. Oh well, I guess that I'll just be thankful that it became obsolete when the 90's set it.
When I was a kid, and when we were still living then in the outskirts of Makati (it wasn't declared a city then), everytime we go out to watch a movie the usual place would be Makati Cinema Square along Pasong Tamo. It occupied the, hmm, let me think... Okay, my guess that is was the third floor of Plaza Fair;the other movie house which we often go is Spring Cinema. If you (yes you, the reader or visitor) are from Pasay City you would know what I am talking about. What we frequently watch is the kind that I had described above. My most favorite, and perhaps the only ones that I would want to watch, are movies of Tito, Vic and Joey.
Now on foreign films. Remember "The Never Ending Story"? How about "Flight of the Navigator"? Man, if you did, then we're on the same league. I enjoyed them as a kid. Too bad I never had a chance to see "Santa Claus the Movie" and "Pippi Longstocking". Kids my age then were not allowed to watch actions films as they are deemed too graphically violent for our (once) young, innocent eyes. But nevermind, I was not a fan of such films; once I hit adolescence did I only manage to watch and grew to love them. Hey, guess you'll learn with age, eh?
(to be continued, again)
Signing off
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Watch Your Words!
Signing on
They say that we Filipinos are the one of the most creative people to ever populate this planet. So creative that we can fashion almost anything out of an existing one. Improvise when something is lacking. Invent out of dire necessity. Be able to articulate through gestures and sometimes, giving some words in the Filipino language a whole new meaning. On the latter part though, we often put some connotations which sometimes always border on the risqué. Remember "Nakatikim Ka Na Ba Ng Kinse Años?"?. Yup, the infamous tag line scribbled on a tarpaulin billboard somewhere along Roxas Boulevard that caught the ire of moralists and conservatives for its alleged sexual content; that of having sexual liaison with a minor. Of course, those words meant to describe a brand of liquor that was aged for fifteen years. Too bad the company has chosen the wrong words to promote the beverage.
Monay. I am hungry as I type this, so I am thinking about food right now. This is a kind of roll that was usually eaten as a merienda. But now the term used for a kind of bread is used to describe a, ahem,a sensitive part of female anatomy used for procreation. How about this one, itlog; egg in English. What was used to describe something that will hatch into a chick soon has been used for an organ where sperm cells are being made, as well as hanging behind.... you know. [Hey, I have to be consistent with what I profess under the blog title!] Titles of soft core movies popular in the mid-90's through a few years ago often bear sexual connotations. Remember "Patikim ng Pinya"? How about "Kangkong", "Pag ang Palay Naging Bigas, May Bumayo", or "Basa sa Dagat"?
A host of the longest running noontime variety show (we all what it is, and who it was) was suspended for uttering a word that was unfortunately was taken out of context. He was suspended again for the same offense, this time while imitating a celebrity midget with an unintelligible speech when he allegedly said something that describes a sexual act. Oh dear. Led Zeppelin was right when they sang that "sometimes words has two meanings". If this means that every word we say and write can be taken out of context, then how the heck can we express our thoughts without being misinterpreted? Sure, the Filipino vocabulary is one of the richest of them all, but what if every word becomes connotative? How can we talk to somebody without the fear of offending someone? How can we say what we want to say without the recieving end thinking that we are perverts? For me, that is the question.
I'm thinking of an alternative. What if we play charades? Not quite. We can't just expect everybody to guess what we mean, especially the "slow" ones. Pictograms? Nah, just the same. People would look like archeologists trying to decipher hieroglyphs. How about sign language. Whoah, that could be feasible! Hey, can somebody teach me what's "tinitighiyawat ka ba sa mani" in sign language?....
Signing off
They say that we Filipinos are the one of the most creative people to ever populate this planet. So creative that we can fashion almost anything out of an existing one. Improvise when something is lacking. Invent out of dire necessity. Be able to articulate through gestures and sometimes, giving some words in the Filipino language a whole new meaning. On the latter part though, we often put some connotations which sometimes always border on the risqué. Remember "Nakatikim Ka Na Ba Ng Kinse Años?"?. Yup, the infamous tag line scribbled on a tarpaulin billboard somewhere along Roxas Boulevard that caught the ire of moralists and conservatives for its alleged sexual content; that of having sexual liaison with a minor. Of course, those words meant to describe a brand of liquor that was aged for fifteen years. Too bad the company has chosen the wrong words to promote the beverage.
Monay. I am hungry as I type this, so I am thinking about food right now. This is a kind of roll that was usually eaten as a merienda. But now the term used for a kind of bread is used to describe a, ahem,
A host of the longest running noontime variety show (we all what it is, and who it was) was suspended for uttering a word that was unfortunately was taken out of context. He was suspended again for the same offense, this time while imitating a celebrity midget with an unintelligible speech when he allegedly said something that describes a sexual act. Oh dear. Led Zeppelin was right when they sang that "sometimes words has two meanings". If this means that every word we say and write can be taken out of context, then how the heck can we express our thoughts without being misinterpreted? Sure, the Filipino vocabulary is one of the richest of them all, but what if every word becomes connotative? How can we talk to somebody without the fear of offending someone? How can we say what we want to say without the recieving end thinking that we are perverts? For me, that is the question.
I'm thinking of an alternative. What if we play charades? Not quite. We can't just expect everybody to guess what we mean, especially the "slow" ones. Pictograms? Nah, just the same. People would look like archeologists trying to decipher hieroglyphs. How about sign language. Whoah, that could be feasible! Hey, can somebody teach me what's "tinitighiyawat ka ba sa mani" in sign language?....
Signing off
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
(Partial) Memories Of An 80's Childhood part two
Signing on
Just because I was a kid doesn't mean that I do not watch shows starring material and flesh and blood actors at all. Heck, I do remember watching Iskul Bukol and was laughing at the antics of the Escalera Brothers and their latest caper that usually ends in disaster, for them at least. I also loved T.O.D.A.S ( Joey De Leon, Val Sotto, Spanky Rigor, Frieda Fonda, Maribeth Bichara and later, Jimmy Santos) especially their knock-knock jokes, gags and sketches. That show lasted for, I think 11 years before Bubble Gang broke their record just recently. How about Champoy with Subas Herrero and Noel Trinidad? I loved that show. Bet most of you remember Ora Encantada, shown every Sunday with Luz Valdez playing storytelling grandmother. Following that was Happy House, a family sitcom starring Tito Sotto, Sandy Andolong, Isabel Granada, Aga Muhlach and Laura Hermosa. Then when nine o' clock strikes it time for my all time favorite comedy show of all time: Sic O' Clock News, with "anchormen" Jimmy Fabregas and Ces Quesada, together with Junix Inocalla, Wilson Go, Rene Requiestas (deceased), Errol Dionisio (also deceased), Ching Arellano and other names I couldn't remember.
That's Entertainment? Well, I remember that, but sorry, I'm no fan of love teams; most of my female cousins are. Eat Bulaga? Of course! Tito, Vic and Joey? they're my heroes then. Drama? Hmm, the only drama that I remembered was Lovingly Yours, Helen with the late Helen Vela. How could I forget that: my mom watches that every Sunday afternoon right after GMA Supershow. Wait! there was also Maricel Drama Special in channel 2. How could I forgot about that. Okay, hmm I think I'll mention Discovery Drama Special hosted by newscaster Angelique Lazo. You know, the show that works like a some sort of a laboratory for up and coming actors. Well, the only actor who I can still remember is Dennis Balthazar. I wonder where are the rest are doing now? Sitcoms? Aside from Iskul Bukol which I had mentioned, I remember Chicks to Chicks, Sitak ni Jack, Barrio Balimbing, Manok ni San Pedro, and... and... darn, that's all that I could recall!
Superseryes has become a regular staple in today's TV, but to be frank, it's not a new, novel idea. Let's be honest: some of us recall Kapitan Kidlat and Darna over PTV 4. Twinbill? I'm not a Kapamilya, for your information, and I am very aware that rabid Kapusos out there will come out and lynch me for this, but as I recall ABS-CBN came up with a similar format, a short-lived one, if I recall correctly ( I hope), starring Robin Padilla ( as a superhero whose moniker I no longer remember) and Manilyn Reynes (as a dead girl turned guardian angel). Fantaseryes? Hmm, aside from Ora Encantada, most agree that Okay Ka, Fairy Ko was the prototype of the fantaserye, and I hope that I'm right. Horror Stories? Gosh, Regal Shocker (GMA) and that other show on channel 13 scared the ghost out of me (no pun intended).
Hey, how about shows that came from the other side of the world? GMA used to air a lot of them during that time, especially on primetime. I loved watching Knight Rider just because I was amused with the talking car KITT. Punky Brewster: occasionally. A Different World, St. Elsewhere, Miami Vice, China Beach, Baby Boom, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Knot's Landing et al. : never watched a single episode. The Cosby Show: watched once, never followed; couldn't fathom the humor. All Star Professional Wrestling:OOPS! That was on channel 13; but that was my first time that I watched grown men in their underwear "beat the hell out" of each other. That's where I was introduced to Hulk Hogan, Iron Sheik, Andre the Giant, Ricky Steamboat, Tito Santana, Ric Flair, Don Muraco, Ronnie Garvin, etc. McGyver: I wished I had his improvisational ingenuity. Imagine building an aircraft out of bamboo and motor, making bombs using common household cleaning materials, or turn a fountain pen into a gun. That's so cool.
(to be continued)
Signing off
Just because I was a kid doesn't mean that I do not watch shows starring material and flesh and blood actors at all. Heck, I do remember watching Iskul Bukol and was laughing at the antics of the Escalera Brothers and their latest caper that usually ends in disaster, for them at least. I also loved T.O.D.A.S ( Joey De Leon, Val Sotto, Spanky Rigor, Frieda Fonda, Maribeth Bichara and later, Jimmy Santos) especially their knock-knock jokes, gags and sketches. That show lasted for, I think 11 years before Bubble Gang broke their record just recently. How about Champoy with Subas Herrero and Noel Trinidad? I loved that show. Bet most of you remember Ora Encantada, shown every Sunday with Luz Valdez playing storytelling grandmother. Following that was Happy House, a family sitcom starring Tito Sotto, Sandy Andolong, Isabel Granada, Aga Muhlach and Laura Hermosa. Then when nine o' clock strikes it time for my all time favorite comedy show of all time: Sic O' Clock News, with "anchormen" Jimmy Fabregas and Ces Quesada, together with Junix Inocalla, Wilson Go, Rene Requiestas (deceased), Errol Dionisio (also deceased), Ching Arellano and other names I couldn't remember.
That's Entertainment? Well, I remember that, but sorry, I'm no fan of love teams; most of my female cousins are. Eat Bulaga? Of course! Tito, Vic and Joey? they're my heroes then. Drama? Hmm, the only drama that I remembered was Lovingly Yours, Helen with the late Helen Vela. How could I forget that: my mom watches that every Sunday afternoon right after GMA Supershow. Wait! there was also Maricel Drama Special in channel 2. How could I forgot about that. Okay, hmm I think I'll mention Discovery Drama Special hosted by newscaster Angelique Lazo. You know, the show that works like a some sort of a laboratory for up and coming actors. Well, the only actor who I can still remember is Dennis Balthazar. I wonder where are the rest are doing now? Sitcoms? Aside from Iskul Bukol which I had mentioned, I remember Chicks to Chicks, Sitak ni Jack, Barrio Balimbing, Manok ni San Pedro, and... and... darn, that's all that I could recall!
Superseryes has become a regular staple in today's TV, but to be frank, it's not a new, novel idea. Let's be honest: some of us recall Kapitan Kidlat and Darna over PTV 4. Twinbill? I'm not a Kapamilya, for your information, and I am very aware that rabid Kapusos out there will come out and lynch me for this, but as I recall ABS-CBN came up with a similar format, a short-lived one, if I recall correctly ( I hope), starring Robin Padilla ( as a superhero whose moniker I no longer remember) and Manilyn Reynes (as a dead girl turned guardian angel). Fantaseryes? Hmm, aside from Ora Encantada, most agree that Okay Ka, Fairy Ko was the prototype of the fantaserye, and I hope that I'm right. Horror Stories? Gosh, Regal Shocker (GMA) and that other show on channel 13 scared the ghost out of me (no pun intended).
Hey, how about shows that came from the other side of the world? GMA used to air a lot of them during that time, especially on primetime. I loved watching Knight Rider just because I was amused with the talking car KITT. Punky Brewster: occasionally. A Different World, St. Elsewhere, Miami Vice, China Beach, Baby Boom, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Knot's Landing et al. : never watched a single episode. The Cosby Show: watched once, never followed; couldn't fathom the humor. All Star Professional Wrestling:OOPS! That was on channel 13; but that was my first time that I watched grown men in their underwear "beat the hell out" of each other. That's where I was introduced to Hulk Hogan, Iron Sheik, Andre the Giant, Ricky Steamboat, Tito Santana, Ric Flair, Don Muraco, Ronnie Garvin, etc. McGyver: I wished I had his improvisational ingenuity. Imagine building an aircraft out of bamboo and motor, making bombs using common household cleaning materials, or turn a fountain pen into a gun. That's so cool.
(to be continued)
Signing off
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