Blue is Hope: Doraemon

I was high school when anime regained another craze in Philippine television. Almost all television stations have their own anime programming schedules that is targeting the younger audience and the young at heart. Most of these cartoon series are re-runs that were aired way-back in the 80's which also culminated an important era of our Philippine History.There were commentaries by journalists that the popular Voltes V was banned for quite sometime in the Martial Law era due to its plot that could somehow influence the people to fight against the dictator government at that time. Ironically, history run its course; the Philippines had a refresh of its own version of Democracy and the world witnessed a Bloodless Revolution that has become a living inspiration of many other countries to date.However, the outcome spurted a wide debate of whether the Filipinos then really made a good decision. It has varying points of views. The reality? The country is still in bondage and the people are struggling to make ends meet. To survive as a nation is an ongoing battle, like most anime plots that this generation is watching, it is somehow in my opinion, a reflection of certain truths to our own alienation and undirected future.

I find anime plots fascinating because of some elements that are futuristic and yet, the human value is still somehow in tact in so many levels. One of these examples is Doraemon, a derivative from Doraneko which means stray cat that has made its way back in time from the 22nd century (created in September 3, 2112) with a mission to save Nobita. This cat-type robot caught my attention as I was studying because each episodes brought out a great deal of relationship to my experiences with friends. When one is a teenager, the peer pressure is strong and it is inevitable to escape a lot of situations when you are confronted with it. The surrounding characters in Doraemon series are like the people around school, home and the community. Each of these characters could be anyone: you, your friends, enemies, foe. In addition, Doraemon is a character that symbolizes a friend who is there to act as a hero and a dangerous enemy. He travels back in time with Nobita's great-great grandchild, Sewashi to fulfill that mission and as the process went on, he acted as protector, a best friend. Each of us has a best friend like Doreimon or we ourselves are him in fragments.

Alvin Toffler has many theories about the future on his book, Future Shock and certainly, some of the outskirts of the plot in Doraemon series are related to it. It transcends beyond human focal points and it involves technology. Doraemon introduced us to technology from the future through his 4D (Fourth Dimensional Pocket") or yojigen pocket on his tummy. The situation suggests that each gadget from that pocket could resolve even the simplest problems of a 4th grader in the person of Nobita. Yet, the episodes always emphasizes that technology itself has its own limitations and such limitations could be destructive to the one using it or may post danger to others. Doraemon however, is not always pictured as the technology introducer, he possesses the gadgets but he always have stern warning against its improper usage. However, Doraemon, despite his shrewdness, could also be outwitted due to his over-protectiveness in certain situations. He is also vulnerable to man's controlling nature because human desire itself is indestructible especially when it is focused and greatly motivated to certain degrees of achievement, even how simple the goal is... could mean disregarding other people's welfare, and even human relations such as friendship. We could see a lot of examples through other characters in the series like Gian (also called Damulag in Philippine TV) and Suneo. Yet, what most viewers don't usually realize is Nobita's "zero" attitude which is so interesting. Nobita, the missing link of Doraemon's journey into the past is the key character of the hero's existence and purpose... Whether Nobita shall change his ways, could greatly affect Sewashi's future.Doraemon is my favorite super hero because he is not the typically example of human-like figures with super powers. He is a robot with AI in it programmed to do tasks that results to an entertaining and worth-analyzing cartoon series. No wonder he is TIME Asia's Cuddliest Hero and one of 22 Asian Heroes in 2002. Yet for me, he is the all-time cuddliest anime friend who stirs tons of dorayaki, tools of imagination and a funny yet BLUE truth mirror about human choices.

Political Creativity

A Borrowed Chance

Mr. Pedro Donoso's downfall was Ysabel Arroyo, his second wife at is ailing health and old age. It was a quick marriage at first in the guise of betrayal shared by the latter with Andres Corona, Pedro's most trusted servant. Days past as the newly wed couple started their new life together, the ambitious Ysabel has recently had a friction with Donoso's only daughter who was witness to her infidelity. Naturally, the old man- so in love with Ysabel would side with his new wife until his death prompted Cayetanna- a fortune teller and occultist to warn of the future. Donoso died in the hands of the woman he loves. Yet, fate decided to help a wandering Pedro's soul to take over a farmer's body owned by Salvador Serinza for his forthcoming revenge...

So much for the prelude but this unique Mexican telenovela is not like the typical rags to riches story of a woman fairy tale that ends up into a happy ending but the plot speaks of a spiritual journey of a man who is given a chance to seek the truth beyond the lies and betrayals of his beloved and gradually resolves unfinished business and conflicts with his neglected family members due to his ill-fated decisions. The funniest aspect of the story roots from his awakening from a body that supposed to be buried which prompted the grieving community folks to suspect that he has risen from death and can perform miracles because of remarkable changes in his behavior and newly-found intelligence. Donoso found himself in the body of a man whom he assumed to take as he returns to avenge his own death only to realize that as he unfolds the truth, he is still in love with Ysabel's cousin yet has to make a swallow-hard decision to stick with Ysabel up to the end of his journey. His revelations led to a collective hysteria which began with Simon, Andres Corona (who became mentally ill), Walter and Ysabel's aunt's death. The plot talks about obsession, rise to power, greed, passion, compassion, resolution, revenge, love, etc. The climax is exquisitely unexpected as both Ysabel and Donoso crashed through a car chase once authorities unlocked the mysteries of the black-widow's (Ysabel Arroyo) crimes.

What is touching is Ysabel's admission of his sins but failure to be forgiving for her cousin and the rest of Donoso's family. She was trapped by her own curse and offered death as her repentance for all the crimes she did in the name of love. I surely miss the drama, I love Cayetanna and her company, Serinza's family and his funny wife, Father Jacobo's immaturity in his religious belief's and Walter's sarcasm. This drama is a new taste and a new fold of plot yet to be re-explored as we begin to untangle the mystery of death and rebirth.

Dirty, Sexy, Money

Saw this last Sunday. One of the most moving scenes; The element of conflict in it (the affair in particular) though not new is presented in a flavorful intriguing manner. It was also an intense moment when Letitia said on one of her conversations with Nick "Because I love him too..." referring to her husband Tripp.

This is just one amazing stuffs; I can't believe how a son (Nick) could bare the situation where the line of being personal and professional comes thinner and thinner. Yet, on my opinion... this is all about Nick's defenses on making up for his Dad. This is so appealing because this type of relationship does not always work well in most families. I love the implied meanings of every scene as well as the thought having some twists and what ifs later on.

24 Oras

Grabeh! News is supposed to be delivered critically but I think 24-Oras provides an atmosphere of what the "masa" wants in a socio-political program. News on television is no longer a thing for the elites but it gives rise to another wave of audience. Plus, the chika-minute? An ingenious tactic to keep audience from tuning in before the flooding of tears following the march of telenovelas. Too bad I always get the feeling that Pia Guanio anchoring the segment is inappropriately displayed (figurine before they close the program) but she amuses with a lot of style, not so glamorous (it might cloud the real show). Of course Mel Tiangco always show the typical old-school newscaster. Her segment with GMA Kapuso Foundation feeds the soul for reaching out to the needy. And the comics of Mike Enriquez' pahabol comments after the light news seen from around the world. I heard him over the radio and he's good in English. I wonder how the crossover took place but the Imbestigador ng Bayan outwits other main anchors in many ways. What bothers me is the fact that the presentation of news is far no different when Saksi takes over. Probably, consistency in technical writing plays its weak point. However, consistency allow retention of content and adds quality into the format. I hope that there will be more coverage on people empowerment to counter the effect of our Economic situation following the rise of petroleum price, peso recovery, etc. which is often the bulk of the headlines. You see, Telenovelas allow us to escape reality for long hours of entertainment but just a small piece of information on how to save and save some more is another plus in the Ratings!

Pinoy Marimar

An attempt to Filipinize the phenomenal telenovela which changed the face of Philippine Boobtube archives was GMA's effective weapon against rival network ABS-CBN. Although the adaptation justified the remake of the original... it has series of flaws which I could not bear to accept: I hated the new Corazon though the character was good, hated how they turned it into a Visayan maid. The rest of the cast like Choi was not strong enough... and there was this Sangheniz whom Marvin Agustin portrayed... good but so plain acting. They could have looked for a real meztizo who can be really passionate. The new Marimar and Sergio was a new flavour. I like Pinoy Sergio (Dingdong Dantes) for a lot of reasons in terms of acting. Notable characters like Angelica (Katrina Halili) was real damn BAD but her battery on hubby Renato (Goma) overdo the torture stuffs. Marimar fighting with her gun was hip though the yatch scene was stupid. I really wished the god-fearing Marimar resurfaced. Last but not the least,Cruzita was a freak... oh my gosh where did this kid came from? I love Marimar, it brings memories, love the cake fight... damn too sexy! Too bad Marimar can't sing though Regine did the theme song with a nice "Awh!". Nice team-up Direk Mac and Bb. Joyce Bernal.