(May 23, PDI-Entertainment)
By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
“BBC World News felt it
was important to focus on the Philippines
six months after Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda,’” revealed writer-TV host Rajan Datar
via a recent e-mail interview. “The typhoon, and the effect of those dealing
with its consequences were huge breaking news stories for the channel and we
felt it was important to share [the recovery story] with the world,” Datar told
the Inquirer.
The “Philippines Direct” season currently airs on the
24-hour BBC World News channel. A series of
documentaries and programs started airing last Monday and continues until May
30.
Other programs in the lineup include “Working Lives: Cebu ”
(tomorrow, 12:30 p.m. ; May 25, 6:30 a.m. , 6:30
p.m. ), presented by Rico Hizon and focusing on a diverse set of
disaster-affected people and their livelihoods; and “Talking Business:
Philippines Direct” (tonight, 10.30; tomorrow, 8:30
p.m. ), hosted by Linda Yueh and set at the World Economic Forum in Manila .
How would you explain
The reaction to the Bohol earthquake
and Supertyphoon Yolanda is of interest around the world, has had a great
impact on the country’s tourism, and reveals something about the Filipino
character. Also, the Philippines ’
economic growth and how that is filtering down to everyday society are of huge
interest.
What is “disaster tourism” and how is it gauged in the Philippines ’
calamity-stricken areas?
Disaster tourism can be defined as focusing on an
unfortunate event and, through tourism, helping with the recovery process. In
the case of the Philippines ,
as with the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and for countries
like Sri Lanka ,
the bond with regular tourists is so strong, that many people from abroad want
to help. When we filmed in Bohol , we saw that the
churches affected by the earthquake relied greatly on money from tourism to
survive and rebuild.
How is the Philippines
distinct in Asia , from “The Travel Show’s” perspective?
The clearest differences are the Spanish and American
influences and largely Catholic faith. Also, while Thailand ,
Indonesia and Malaysia
sell themselves as more “exotic,” Filipinos are more grounded about who they
are and display an incredible resilience in the face of adversity.
In “The Travel Show,” we visit Manila ,
Bohol and Panglao. In Manila ,
we challenge the idea that the capital is not an attractive city to visit. We
meet a dancing cop (and dance with him in the middle of a busy four-way
junction!). We ride in a “pimped-out” jeepney, visit Intramuros, and look at
the more interesting contemporary music scenes in the capital.
On the islands, we look at ongoing recovery and restoration
efforts, go up to the Chocolate Hills, take a river cruise, get really close to
a tarsier that sat just behind me in a tree for a full 20 minutes while we
filmed…
What makes the country’s entertainment scene different in
the region?
Island mentality makes a country’s psyche a bit more
extroverted, anarchic, carefree and fun-loving. But also, I noticed a special
obsession with entertaining others and being entertained. Everyone seems to
have music in their blood and so many can turn their hand to dancing, singing
or playing.
What is the most important thing about creating travelogues?
The most interesting thing is that I get to dig below what
guide books and newspaper articles tell you about a certain destination—as a
result, we are able to find out what people in the country are actually talking
about, and we get to explain different cultural idiosyncracies. These days, it
is important not to underestimate the experience and knowledge of our viewers.
(For related multimedia content, visit BBC .com/Philippinesdirect.)
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