READ: ABSCBN, CHED, and Indigenous People Find a Common Ground on the use of Bagani Teleserye Title

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In a Press Statement released by ABSCBN on Tuesday night, March 13. ABSCBN, CHED Commissioner Adamat, Representatives Catamco and Indigenous Leaders finally have find the common denominator on the issue regarding the title of hit Fanteserye of ABSCBN "Bagani". 

ABSCBN, CHED Commissioner Adamat, Representatives Catamco and Indigenous Leaders meeting last March 10

It says in it that ABSCBN, CHED Commissioner Adamat, Representatives Catamco and Indigenous Leaders had a dialogue witness by the National Commission of Indigenous People (NCIP) on the use of "Bagani" as the title of the new Fantaserye starring Enrique Gil & Liza Soberano. 

"Bagani" controversy and became viral on social media, some netizens were trying to weigh things about the issues regarding the program. 

It started when last March 4, Commissioner Ronald Adamat of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is requesting ABS-CBN for “immediate clarification and explanation” on its use of the term “Bagani” in a TV show of the same name.

Dr. Adamat, a former representative of the Indigenous People Sector during the 10th Congress, addressed a formal letter to Carlo Katigbak, president of ABS-CBN.




Another controversy happened was even before its premiere on primetime, the TV show was hit with controversy when its trailer revealed mixed-race actors like Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil “brown-faced” to appear darker.

ABS-CBN Star Creatives head writer Mark Angos claimed that the script called for “desert people” with sand and dirt stuck to their skin, hence their deliberately brown appearance.

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Photo Credits to Owner

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He also clarified that the show was not inspired about the Pre Colonial Philippines, thus ancestral Filipinos were not being portrayed. “‘Bagani’ is set in a fictional world called Sansinukob,” which is an alternate world, he said in a Twitter post.

And all these controversies had answered by ABSCBN, on the Release statement of the network, it was finally cleared on the discussion made. All parties had the chance and opportunity to speak up and explain their positions on the issues raised on the program. 

On the statement as well, ABSCBN explained the importance of "Bagani" as real Baganis, that there are Indigenous People (IP) warriors who protect the entire communities and ancestral domains from external threats and armed intrusions. 

Since the airing of the show, ABSCBN has been showing the disclaimer before the airing of the program, emphasizing that the show was inspired by fictional characters only and has nothing to relate to any form of Filipino mythology and folklore. 

In the last sentence of the statement, the show reiterate that it recognizes the importance of the Bagani to our IP culture and community and has never to malign or disrespect their belief.

Here's the complete Press Statement of ABSCBN

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Source: Inquirer, Twitter