by: Alice Sicat
QUEZON CITY, PIA — The advance screening of the highly anticipated action series, West Philippine Sea Defenders was held Sunday, November 3, at the Maynila Ballroom of the Manila Hotel.
Set to premiere on November 5 at 11:00 PM on DZRHTV Radio and VIVAOne, this 14-episode series promises to deliver action-packed episodes that address the ongoing disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) while countering misinformation on the sensitive territorial issue.
Aimed at debunking false information and inspiring patriotism, West Philippine Sea Defenders is a Monday-to-Friday series that provides an unfiltered look at the realities surrounding the West Philippine Sea. Created with an educational and patriotic mission, the series hopes to encourage Filipino viewers to stay informed and passionate about the country’s interests in the region.
The series boasts an ensemble cast that includes some of the country’s top actors. Headlining the show are AJ Raval, Ayanna Misola, Daiana Meneses, Ali Forbes, Rannie Raymundo, Lance Raymundo, Massimo Scoffield, Henry Lo, Jericka Madrigal, and Mary Trego. Adding gravitas, Aljur Abrenica and Jeric Raval are set to appear in major roles. Legal expert Atty. Mark Tolentino and Joey San Andres make special appearances, enriching the storyline with insights on the ongoing territorial issues.
The original concept of the series came from Dr. Michael Raymond Aragon, chairperson of Kapisanan ng Mga Social Media Broadcasters sa Pilipinas Inc (KSMBPI). Driven by a commitment to truth and national pride, Dr. Aragon conceived the series to educate Filipinos on the said critical national issue.
“… dahil atin ang West Philippine Sea (WPS). Mayroong bully na China na gustong kunin ito because very rich ang natural resources, may oil, etc. Ang sabi dyan, we have a very rich fishing ground sa WPS. Kaya gusto kunin ng China kasi kailangan nila. Ang problema, ay di naman sa kanila eh. At ang pinakamasaklap dito, ang daming fake news ng China na ipinapakalat at binabaliktad nila tayo. Tayo ang biktima, tayo pang may kasalanan. Kung ano-ano mga sinasabi nila. That’s unfair. At ang problema na nakita namin, the alarming sign na nakita namin at this point in time is simply this. Marami ng mga kababayan natin naniniwala sa fake news nila,” Dr. Aragon said in a recent interview.
(Because the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is ours. China, acting like a bully, wants to take it because of its very rich natural resources, including oil, among others. It’s said that the WPS has an incredibly abundant fishing ground. That’s why China wants it—they need it. But the problem is, it’s not theirs. And what’s even more distressing is that China is spreading so much fake news, turning the situation around to make us look like the aggressors. We are the victims here, but they make it seem like it’s our fault. They’re saying all sorts of things against us. That’s unfair. The real problem, the alarming sign we’re seeing at this point, is simply this: many of our fellow Filipinos are starting to believe their fake news)
Directed by Karlo Montero, the series aims to entertain as well as inspire the citizens. Through high-octane scenes and compelling narratives, the series portrays the challenges and resilience of Filipinos in defending the nation’s territorial claims.
The launch event attracted a crowd of media representatives, entertainment industry insiders, and patriotic figures, all eager to witness the first glimpse of the series. Initial reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with attendees commending the show’s bold stance on the national issue and its mission to promote informed patriotism. The cast and creators received praise for their courage in tackling the topic and their dedication to providing accurate representations of the situation in the WPS.
West Philippine Sea Defenders arrives at a pivotal moment, urging Filipinos to be more aware and engaged with national issues. The series reinforces the importance of patriotism and informed citizenship, echoing the spirit of unity and resilience in the face of global challenges. (AVS / PIA-NCR)
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