by: Shean Ashley Mayormita

“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,” Senator Jinggoy Estrada said on the proposed 2023 budget of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) hearing on October 18, 2022. 

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

“Kaya minsan pumapasok sa aking isipan na i-ban na itong mga telenovela ng mga foreigner at dapat ang mga artista nating Pilipino, na 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 Filipino artists who really have acting skills or are talented, whom we should be showing in our own country instead.)

On October 19, 2022, according to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s post on social media, "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 movie going public".

In spite of everything he stated, I disagree. Instead of banning K-Dramas in the Philippines, they could propose alternative solutions to grow Filipino films without outlawing international films (Korean Drama). 

According to the comments I have read online, Filipinos seek out other dramas in other countries because our films are monotonous, the outcome is predictable, and the plot twists are all the same (the common examples are: legal vs. mistress). Filipinos patronize good-quality films in a variety of genres like high school vibes, musical theater drama, sports drama, and more. Other countries are open to different genres, which Philippine Industry Films lacks.  

According to Senator Estrada, we have “skilled artists.” We may have a great artist, but if the film is boring and has the same plot twist as other dramas, no one will watch it. You can’t force Filipinos to watch Filipino films if they don’t want to; even if you ban k-dramas or other international dramas, they can still find a way to change their VPN. In conclusion, the possible solution is to invest in higher-quality films with government funding and support.

In addition, he only blurted this “out of frustration.” He is a leader and should think before speaking. It is not an acceptable reason to blurt out his opinion with feelings alone; people should not focus on feelings alone; we should work it together with our brains, and that’s what he should improve on. If we only work with our feelings, things might get in trouble. For example, if Senator Estrada thinks that banning was a solution, the answer is that it is not a solution, but rather a new problem. 

In the end, let this K-Drama or other international drama inspire and motivate us, to improve and be better in the film industry. Think twice before speaking to get a grasp of the problem you are complaining about. Let’s work it out together, create a solution, and not be part of the problem.