Good news on TV
There are two very good reasons to be happy for Philippine commercial television. The first is a triumph of simplicity…and the second is the credit given to raising the benchmark of prime time viewing in terms of production.
After the audience has somewhat become pre-conditioned or resigned to endless updated versions, adaptations and revivals of old shows and Koreanovelas, two shows have proven themselves to be such outstanding surprises. No, they are not marvels of innovation but still what is important is that they prove to be fresh in the eyes and mind of the television viewer as well as a welcome proof of an effort to improve quality in production.
"100 Days to Heaven" has nothing earthshaking about it. Right from the start, you already know how this series will end. The journey of a soul sent back to earth to find redemption has been done a dozen times over. But that does not mean that it cannot be executed with a sense of newness. It is the simplicity and predictability of the material, matched by the novelty of having a competent veteran actress like Coney Reyes and a brilliant child actress like Xyriel Manabat as her child/alter-ego that makes this show heartwarming, extremely amusing and endearingly addictive.
"100 Days" also boasts of such an impressive supporting cast and well thought-out writing and direction. The exemplary performance of this show only proves that you do not need mind-boggling special effects nor indulge in the numbing world of fantasy to be adequately entertained. All you need is a lot of thought and the greatness of heart.
Grandeur is what "Amaya" wants to use as its selling point but the series goes much farther than that.
After we have had our share of soap operas founded on Chinese and Korean legends as well as attempts at recreating points of Asian history, it was quite a wonder why no local production has attempted at doing its Philippine counterpart. The answer may be short of obvious: perhaps TV executives felt that (again) the thought of bringing Philippine folklore is too mataas for the masa to appreciate and understand. Added to this is the expense that goes into such ambitious productions.
Regardless of what some purists complain regarding its scholarly authenticity, "Amaya" took the risk…and that should be credited. Yes, it is a star vehicle for a signature actress of a network but so what? "Amaya" has taken the effort not only to be different but to justify production value beyond commonplace and paint-by-numbers entertainment. The show has brought to light the richness in possibilities of Filipino lore as the source material for future commercial endeavors.
Yes, there can still be good news in Philippine commercial TV. In both simplicity and ambition, we know we can do more. Let us hope that this is only the start of something great…and greater.
