It’s truly remarkable how our countrymen are now learning to appreciate Orientalism, as opposed to a more Westernized culture before.

After the strong Taiwanese and Korean cultural wave in the Philippines, another face of Northeast Asian culture is starting to fit in the Filipino tradition. Japan, along with its considered highly unique customs, has been taking the Filipino streets by storm.

As early as the 1980s, two-dimensional cartoon shows have already been prominent among the children and those who were young-at heart. Who would not be familiar with Dr. Tenma’s robot masterpiece, Astroboy; or the Voltes team’s overheard “Let’s Volt-in!” union shout?

It was during the 1990s, however, when animé started massively invading our television sets. Animé is a colloquial term referring to animation, most popularly made by Japanese animators. I remember always being in a hurry to go home after my special afternoon classes back in grade school, just to be in time for my then favourites --- Dragon Ball Z, YuYu Hakusho (a.k.a. Ghost Fighter), Zenki, Eto Rangers and Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Shortly after Dao Ming Shi and Shan Cai (from Taiwan’s famous TV drama, Meteor Garden) and Carlo and Vivian’s (from Korea’s famous TV drama, Lovers in Paris) popularity, Tsukushi Makino and Tsukasa Domyouji (from Japan’s famous TV drama, Hana Yori Dango) also started to become familiar names in Filipino households.

Currently, canned drama series from Japan, dubbed in Filipino language, with their manga-based plots and nature, receive a wide patronage from the people. I personally prefer Japanese drama series over other countries’ due to the latter’s lighter and more humorous approach. That is the reason I most of the time find myself undisturbed while playing my DVD copies of Hana Kimi, Hana Yori Dango, Gokusen, Proposal Daisakusen and other popular Japanese TV series or more known as J-doramas.

Probably, the most recent sign of Filipinos’ embrace on Japanese culture would be the patronage on Jap game shows featuring batsu games (punishment and humiliation games). These game shows are characterized by high-stamina-requiring obstacle courses, unexpected and shocking challenges and uniquely created plots.

When I was still a child, watching Takeshi’s Castle, a classic Japanese game show in the late 1980s, was considered a bonding moment for my family. Interestingly, along with the fame of I Survived a Japanese Game Show last year, a Western parody of batsu game shows, Takeshi’s Castle began airing again in Philippine television. Furthermore, a number of such programs start to take spots in local programming. Among these are ABC 5’s Baikingu and the upcoming GMA 7’s Hole in the Wall.

Just why do Filipinos easily imbibe Japanese culture and entertainment nowadays?  

Perhaps, in these trying times, anything western connotes polarization. In this context, Japanese entertainment offers a lighter, less controversial escape – with no geopolitical, racial and religious tensions to add to our growing worries. 

Back to top
Comments or suggestions