I'm a Baby!

I am convinced na pinapanood ng American TV producers ang Philippine programs. Unfortunately, kapag binabanggit ko’to para na ring ni-reveal kong nakakausap ko ang Birhen. This has not discouraged me at all from pursuing my theory. Hindi naman kasi talaga malayo na tumingin ang Amerika sa Pilipinas para sa new ideas hindi lang for their TV programs but also for their movies just as we watch foreign shows for inspiration. Siguro lang masyadong far-fetch pa para sa karamihan ang idea na kagaya-gaya ang Pinoy lalo pa’t lumaki tayo sa isang bansang mahilig mag-malign sa sarili niya. ‘Di iilan ang naniniwalang may kultura tayo ng panggagaya.

Ang una kong clue from believeing this is Hollywood’s fascination with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It’s a great film, no doubt, pero para sa’ting Asians it’s not exactly a new concept. Bata pa lang ako nakakakita na’ko ng mga breathtaking kung fu action sequences at flying, costumed fighters sa mga pelikula nina Jackie Chan at sa Sunday Chinese Variety Show sa Channel 9. Pero after Crouching Tiger, halos lahat na ng Hollywood movies nasisingitan ng kung fu-like action sequences kahit pa hindi tungkol sa martial arts ang pelikula (e.g. ang fight scene sa playground nina Ben Affleck at Jennifer Garner sa Daredevil). Kung ginagaya nila ang mga Instik, hindi malayong tumingin pa sila sa ibang Asian countries for inspiration. Imposibleng dedmahin nila ang Pinoy films. It’s a little known fact na isang dahilan kung bakit napaddap dito sina Cameron Macintosh para magpa-audition for Miss Saigon ay dahil napanood nila ang isang Lino Brocka film na meron daw “haunting music.” They figured there must be enormous musical talent in a country that can create such sounds, they came here and the rest is history.

Ngayon mababakas ang Regal sa mga pelikula ng mga Kano. Bigla na lang sumasayaw sina Reese Witherspoon sa Senate Building sa Legally Blonde 2. At considerably mas mahaba at bongga ang sayaw na’to compared sa dance sequence sa first Legally Blonde. Proof na naging mas daring na sila with the dances after watching Pinoy films, probably Maricel Soriano doing “Shake Body, Body Dancer.” Si Jennifer Lopez din bigla na lang kumanta with the maids sa Maid In Manhattan. Come to think of it, hindi ba Pinoy na Pinoy ang plot na isang mayamang lalake na mai-in-love sa maid? Siyempre Hollywood had to make it a Four Seasons Hotel Maid para ma-Americanize ‘yung kuwento.

While one can argue na probably sa Bollywood nakuha ng Hollywood ang dance sequences, baka sa Chasing Liberty ko kayo puwedeng ma-convince. This Mandy Moore starrer used the all-too-Pinoy full song music video to move its little story forward. Sa Bollywood ang songs and dances mostly composed for the film, pero sa Pilipinas madalas existing o sikat na song ang ginagamit. Ganu’n din sa Chasing Liberty. At never before makikita sa isang Hollywood film ang device na isang music video ng isang buong kanta.

While you may not be completely convinced, you cannot deny the remotest possibility that we can inspire their ideas. Shortly after 30 Days came out on GMA, Fear Factor had its “Second Chance Fear Factor” kung saan ang mga natalo na dati ay pinag-compete ulit…Next time you watch American TV shows and movies, watch out for hints of the Pinoy idea in them.

I guess, gusto ko rin i-advocate na hindi tayo manggagaya. Oftentimes, what we are quick to accuse as panggagaya is but a natural adaptation of a good idea into the Filipino setting. Just as architects must visit other buildings, or artists should study the Masters, media producers must be open to what the world is showing to continually improve their products. Tigilan na sana ang pangungutya sa creativity natin. Did we ever accuse America of copying Facifica Falayfay when they did Mrs. Doubtfire? Wonder Woman as spin-off ni Darna? Simon Cowell as a mere embodiment of The Tanghalan ng Kampeon gong?

If ultimately I shall be proven wrong for proposing this Filipino Inspiration Theory, it wouldn’t matter just as long as matanggap nating original at creative din tayong mga Pilipino.

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Dagdag lang, napanood ko ang Star Wars Revenge of the Sith. At parang Marcos na Marcos ang character ng Chancellor. Gumawa siya ng gulo to justify his dictatorship at nang finally naging totally greedy na siya, inisyu niya sa military ang Execute Order 66. Naligpit tuloy ang mga humaharang sa kanyang ambisyon. Execute Order? Sounds like Executive Order, ‘di ba?