‘WALA AKONG BALAK I-BAN’

Jinggoy Estrada: Idea to ban Korean dramas, foreign-made shows stems from frustration

Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday explained that his idea to ban foreign-made shows, such as Korean dramas, in the Philippines was only raised because of his frustration on the lack of support to homegrown artists which he said are world-class too.

"Kaugnay sa aking pahayag kahapon sa mga foreign-made shows, my statement stems from the frustration that while we are only too eager and willing to celebrate South Korea’s entertainment industry, we have sadly allowed our own to deteriorate because of the lack of support from the moviegoing public," Estrada said in a statement. 

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Estrada clarified that he is not planning to file a bill that will prohibit foreign-made series and movies in the Philippines.

"Wala po akong balak i-ban. That was said out of frustration. Gusto ko talaga Filipino first," the senator said.

The senator, who was an action star prior to his political career, said he has nothing against the success of Korea's entertainment industry but Filipinos must also patronize local films.

"I have nothing against South Korea's successes in the entertainment field and admittedly, we have much to learn from them. Pero huwag naman nating kalimutan at balewalain ang trabaho, ang mga pinaghirapan at angking likha ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino," he emphasized.

"I wish that the zealousness of our kababayans in patronizing foreign artists can be replicated to support our homegrown talents who I strongly believe are likewise world-class," he added.

He continued: "South Korea’s phenomenal success is rooted in their love of country. It is high time that we follow their example and do the same for our own entertainment industry that is at best, barely surviving."

Hope and inspiration

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla said Filipinos should learn and take inspiration from what the Koreans have achieved.

A self-confessed Kpop and K-drama fan, Remulla noted that entertainment from Korea "gave many Filipinos hope and inspiration" during the height of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think they strike a chord in the Filipino heart," he said of Kpop and K-dramas.

He also pointed out that Koreans make the top tourist arrivals in the Philippines.

"They love our country while we love them for their world-class entertainment," Remulla said. "There are no boundaries in pop culture."

Up to fans

The Korean Drama Society of the Philippines (KDSP) said that banning K-drama would not be the solution to address the lack of jobs for Filipino artists.

KDSP founding chairperson Wena Sadorra also said that Filipinos have the “freewill” into what they prefer to watch, stressing that Filipino-owned dramas should further be strengthened.

“Hindi kami sang-ayon na ‘yun ang solusyon para sa hangad na mas makapagbigay pa ng trabaho para sa mga artista. Actually ‘yung Korean drama naging ano na siya—simula ng mahabang panahon simula ng 2003 nung first na nag-air sa GMA yung first K-drama—hindi na siya as foreign as before ngayon kasi parte na siya ng mga buhay ng mga Pilipino,” Sadorra said.

(We do not agree that it would be the solution for the need to provide more work for artists. Actually, the Korean drama has become what it has been—since a long time since 2003 when the first K-drama first aired on GMA—it is no longer as foreign as before because it is now part of the lives of Filipinos.)

“’Yung pagpili ng panonoorin, nasa manood at saka nasa fans ‘yun. So, hindi natin pwedeng i-impose na ‘wag nating panoorin ito kasi hindi ito Filipino.’ So, kung gusto natin umangat ang sariling atin, marami rin naman tayong quality dramas na tinatangkilik ng mga Filipinos. So sana ‘yun ang palakasin,” she added.

(The choice of what should be watched is still up to viewers and fans to decide. So, we cannot impose that 'we should not watch this because it is not Filipino.' So, if we want to elevate our own, we also have many quality dramas that Filipinos enjoy. So hopefully that will be strengthened.)

At Tuesday's hearing on the proposed 2023 budget of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Estrada floated the idea of banning Korean telenovelas in the Philippines, stressing that Filipino-made shows should be promoted instead.

“Ang aking obserbasyon pagpatuloy tayo nagpapalabas ng Korean telenovela, ang hinahangaan ng ating mga kababayan ay itong mga Koreano at nawawalan ng trabaho at kita yung ating mga artistang Pilipino,” Estrada said.

(My observation is we continue to show Korean telenovelas, our compatriots idolize Koreans, and our Filipino artists are losing jobs.)

"Kaya minsan pumapasok sa aking isipan na i-ban na itong mga telenovela ng mga foreigners at dapat ang mga artista nating Pilipino talagang may angking galing sa pag-arte ay 'yun naman dapat ang ipalabas natin sa sariling bansa natin,” he added.

(So sometimes it enters my head to ban these foreign telenovelas, and that talented Filipino artists are what we should be showing in our own country instead.)

At the same hearing, Senator Robin Padilla also pushed to raise the tax on foreign series to help shore up the local film industry.

FDCP Chairman Tirso Cruz III agreed that there should be balance to promote and protect local films. — With Mel Matthew Doctor/Sundy Locus/RSJ/KBK, GMA News