Okay, I must admit that since I moved to Europe, I became an avid fan of Tagalog films and television soap opera series. See, when I was still living in the Philippines, to read Tagalog comics, watch Tagalog films and listen to Tagalog drama over the radio was like baduy to me, my siblings and friends…or at least I was under the impression that my so-called friends also did not patronize same.
Reason? When I was younger, my sibs and I, we were forbidden to watch them soap operas or listen to tagalog drama programs. More so, we were not allowed to read comics. Somehow, my aunts and uncles who were most of the time around and stood as our tutors and mentors thought that the contents of such Tagalog comics were just trash. At least most of them anyway. We were told to read instead English books which happened to be plenty at home at that time. Also, as reference, they always shoved to us the Encyclopedia collection of our Grandma. As a result, we never had difficulties with our English subject. We were also good in Science and History. But, we also turned out getting poor grades in our Pilipino subject. I for one, admittedly really had poor grades in Pilipino. I can still remember, my high school teacher told me I should start reading komiks to improve my Tagalog.
So, one day, thinking that I should heed the advice of my teacher, I went and bought a Tagalog Magazine. When I got to the Newstand/Newspaper stall, I saw several magazines and thought, okay… I have no idea which is good so I just grabbed one. Little did I know the what the contents of the magazine that I picked up. I chose Liwayway, since the title sounded friendly. I later found out that the Liwayway magazine with its rich in fantasy and adventure komiks page is actually an icon in the Philippine Publishing genre.
Seriels like, Kaptayn Barbel, Islaw Palitaw, Agua Bendita, Darna at ang Babaeng Tuod, Pedro Penduko and Anak ni Dyesebel to name some are specials that has been made into films time and time again. A lot of Actors and Actresses are priviledged to get the lead roles for these stories.
So anyway, I didn’t read these comic series before, but I have to admit, “baduy” (bad taste) it may be to others, that I do enjoy watching these now either as a film or television series. Am I a jolog because I like them? Or you may call me “baduy” because I enjoy watching them? Call it stupid sentimentality or shallow patriotism, I don’t really care.
