Planet Philippines

Published September 3, 2009 5:42pm

PLANET PHILIPPINES GMA News and Public Affairs Environmental Documentary Hosted by Richard Gutierrez

After the success of critically-acclaimed documentary Signos, Richard Gutierrez is back in this year's GMA News and Public Affairs environmental documentary entitled Planet Philippines. The biggest environmental project of 2009, Planet Philippines will take viewers on a grand and awesome journey into the country's final wilderness sites, best-kept secrets of the natural world where life and the amazing systems that support it are an everyday spectacle. Hailed by scientists as a mega biodiversity haven, the Philippines is home to thousands of plant and animal species which can be found nowhere else on Earth. Planet Philippines travels around Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to examine the diverse Philippine landscape, seascape, and underground terrain. Old growth forests with century-old trees serve as habitats to unique and endangered wildlife. Some rainforest species are so rare that footage of their behavior is sought after all over the world. Planet Philippines documented several of these rare species, including a bird which only lives on one Visayan island. The documentary takes viewers deep underwater to see the lives of fascinating marine species - from sea grass dwellers, to coral inhabitants, to the mighty pelagic species of sharks and manta rays. It also examines the most unexplored places on Earth - caves. Even in these extreme environments, living beings thrive, proving that in every facet, our planet is a paradise that cradles life. But while the Philippines boasts of many marvels, it is also considered one of the hottest of so-called "biodiversity hotspots", areas in the world where species decline and habitat loss are at alarming levels. A report from the World Wide Fund for Nature, Zoological Society of London and Global Footprint Network also cites that the Philippines' ecological footprint or impact on the environment is 50-100% more than its annual biocapacity or its ability to regenerate resources. The documentary aims to bring these realities to the fore by showing what is at stake - a land blessed with natural resources that are ever astounding and yet diminishing. Shot in high definition and produced using world-class nature filmmaking techniques, Planet Philippines is an impressive compilation of moving images showcasing the country's finest treasures. An experienced team of producers, camera crew and researchers spent months studying each terrain to film every nook and cranny of our small yet amazing piece of the planet. Actor and advocate Richard Gutierrez took time out from his busy schedule to trek mountains, explore caves and dive the open seas. Weeks of waiting on wildlife and being battered by the elements deliver what is perhaps one of the most thought-provoking and comprehensive environmental reports to be seen on Philippine television. Planet Philippines points to the connections between human activities and the state of the environment, and provides practical solutions on how we can help save what is left. It is an important, must-see television event airing on September 6, 10.30 pm over GMA's SNBO timeslot.

PLANET PHILIPPINES GMA News and Public Affairs Environmental Documentary Hosted by Richard Gutierrez Noong 2008, inihatid ng GMA News and Public Affairs ang Signos, isang makasaysayang ulat tungkol sa climate change. Ngayong taon, nagbabalik si Richard Gutierrez para sa pinakamalaking dokumentaryong pangkalikasan ng 2009 - ang Planet Philippines. Dadalhin nito ang mga manonood sa mga natatagong bahagi ng ating kalikasan, kung saan ang iba't ibang uri ng buhay at ang mga sistemang sumusuporta rito ay araw-araw natutunghayan. Tinaguriang megabiodiversity country ang Pilipinas dahil tahanan ito ng libu-libong uri ng hayop at halaman na hindi matatagpuan sa ibang bahagi ng mundo. Naglakbay ang Planet Philippines sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao para maipakita ang iba't ibang yaman ng bansa - mula sa kagubatan, karagatan, at maging sa ilalim ng mga kweba. Sa mga orihinal at pinakamatandang gubat ng bansa, matatagpuan ang mga punong ilang siglo na ang binibilang. Pinasok ng Planet Philippines ang ilan sa mga huling kagubatan ng Pilipinas upang makunan ang mga katangi-tanging nilalang na dinarayo pa ng mga siyentipiko mula sa iba't ibang panig ng mundo. Kabilang na riyan ang isang uri ng ibon na sa isang isla ng Visayas lamang matatagpuan. Madalang itong magpakita sa camera, pero kuhang kuha ng dokumentaryo ang mga pambihirang katangian nito. Sisisirin din ang dagat para sa mga naggagandahang hayop gaya ng mga pating at pagi. Pati ang mga kweba ay hindi palalampasin. Dahil saan mang sulok ng mundo, kahanga-hanga at sadyang masigasig ang buhay. Bagaman itinuturing na paraiso, ang Pilipinas ay isa ring biodiversity hotspot, kung saan nakaaalarma ang pagkaubos ng species at ng kanilang tirahan. Ayon sa isang ulat ng World Wide Fund for Nature, Zoological Society of London at Global Footprint Network, lumalabis nang 50-100% ang Pilipinas sa kapasidad nitong madagdagan muli ang mga nawalang likas yaman. Gamit ang high definition technology, ang Planet Philippines ay koleksyon ng mga katangi-tanging imahe ng ating natural na mundo. Alamin ang estado ng ating kalikasan, at ano ang magagawa para masagip ang mga natitira nating yaman. Samahan si Richard Gutierrez sa Planet Philippines ngayong ika-6 ng Setyembre, 10.30 ng gabi sa GMA 7.