Senator Jinggoy Estrada said he is considering proposing a ban on Korean telenovelas in the Philippines.
Estrada floated the suggestion during the Senate hearing on the proposed 2023 budget of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
“Ang aking obserbasyon kapag patuloy tayo nagpapalabas ng Korean telenovela, ang hinahangaan ng ating mga kababayan ay itong mga Koreano at mawawalaan ng trabaho at kita ‘yung ating mga artistang Pilipinos,” he said.
“Kaya minsan pumapasok sa aking isipan na-iban na itong mga telenovela ng mga foreigners at dapat ang mga artista nating Pilipino talagang may angking galing sa pag-arte ay ‘yung naman dapat ang ipalabas natin sa sariling bansa natin,” Estrada added.
The Senator also said he observed that many Filipinos tend to promote Korean products more than local products in the country.
But FDCP Chairman and actor Tirso Silvano Cruz III said streaming Korean dramas could not be banned, acknowledging that this is a business.
“Hindi natin maawat yung streaming because it is accepted by the whole world already. But siguro to counter it, Filipino first for the Filipinos. Siguro hindi natin maalis ang nag nenegosyo pero ang goal talaga natin ngayon ang tulungan ang producer na Filipino at i-promote ang local film natin,” he added.
Cruz said the film agency is prioritizing more on producing local films.
“Sabi nga namin ang importante ay ang maniwala ang kapwa Pilipino sa pelikulang Pilipino. Kaya ang ginagawa namin is focus ay tungkol sa local films dahil kung kami naman ay pumunta sa festival, ang gusto namin ay dala namin ay ang sariling atin na ipanglalaban sa kompetisyon, ipakita natin sa festival na ang mga Pilipino ay mas matindi gumawa, madamdamin, at mas maganda,” he added.
After receiving flak on social media due to his suggestion, Estrada clarified in a Facebook post that his proposal only stemmed from his frustration that there was a “lack of support“ for the local industry and yet many were “too eager and willing to celebrate South Korea’s entertainment industry.”
He noted that he has nothing against the success of South Korea’s entertainment industry, adding that the country could learn from them.
“I wish that the zealousness of our kababayans in patronizing foreign artists can be replicated to support our homegrown talents who I strongly believe are likewise world-class,” Estrada said.
The Senator also reminded the public to not overlook and ignore locally-produced works.
“South Korea’s phenomenal success is rooted in their love of country. It is high time that we follow their example and do the same for our own entertainment industry that is at best, barely surviving,” he added.
