Viewers praise 'eye-opening' 'Bayan Ko'

In what some are calling a bold move in Philippine TV, GMA News TV aired its first original series, “Bayan Ko,” last March 10.  “Bayan Ko” is a six-part series that tells the story of the the fictional town of Lagros and its idealistic Mayor Joseph Santiago, played by Rocco Nacino. Mayor Santiago attempts to fight the culture of corruption perpetuated by the political dynasty led by Governor Antonio Rubio, Sr. and Congressman Anton Rubio, Jr., played by father and son tandem Pen and Ping Medina.
 

The town of Lagros may be fictional, but it’s not too different from many other towns in the Philippines that are also dealing with the poor state of public education, the worsening condition of public infrastructure, and of course, both petty and large-scale corruption in the government.
 

On Facebook and Twitter, viewers of “Bayan Ko” have been quick to notice the eerily familiar images of cramped classrooms, broken roads, and under-the-table deals. Read what some viewers have to say about the show, and more importantly, about what it attempts to reflect–the state of the country and its leaders:

Bayan Ko airs every Sunday, 7:15 PM, on GMA News TV 11 (Skycable 24). For exclusive updates, follow the show on Facebook and Twitter.

—Ces Vitan, Bernice Sibucao, and Den Fajardo, PF/CM/GMA News