Amaya - The GMA 7 Epic serye

Have you heard issues regarding the show? I'll post what I have read from yahoo regarding complaints of culture scholars on it. An award-winning epic-chanter who belongs to an indigenous group on Panay Island named Federico Caballero has raised concerns over the depiction of its cultural beliefs and practices on GMA 7’s new series, “Amaya.” Because while the show may be fictional, the portrayal of its people’s practices, terms and beliefs are inaccurate. He even pointed out that some of the things that are being depicted in the show do not reflect to their culture. And most of all, he is objecting to the characterization of a supposed binukot (well-kept maiden)which is being played by actress Marian Rivera. He is accusing the show to be inaccurate, at times offensive, to show supposed binukot and members of the community half-naked or wearing skimpy clothes. According to him their people most especially the binukot, are conservative. They wear clothes that hardly exposes the skin. Caballero said Amaya’s character becoming a warrior, is particularly misleading because binukot are not allowed to be exposed even to sunlight – which accounts for their often fair complexion. They are trained to be adept epic-chanters and dancers, and to play native musical instruments, he said, adding that binukot command a much higher dowry than most maidens because of these physical attributes and skills. Dr. Alicia Magos, a noted anthropologist and retired professor of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, has conducted extensive studies on the Panay-Bukidnon community. She said she has received complaints about the portrayal of the indigenous people, and especially the binukot, in “Amaya.” Magos said, “The use of the word binukot, detached from its proper historical and cultural context to represent characters in a fictional story, may be deceptive.” These are very serious historical complaints that GMA must take action. They should not be reacting because they are receiving good tv ratings, rather they should react because they are changing wrongly the course of history and that they are implanting to the minds of our younger generation the wrong story which I think should be corrected.

I love this show too...we learn new things everyday and the story isn't as slow as ordinary tv shows. I hope it doesn't get boring though. 100 Days to heaven is also a good show, the cast is great and the new talent too.

Hi enigma! I also don't watch telenovelas anymore although before, when I was a teenager, I used to watch a lot of them. But now, I find them annoying especially the sci-fi and love story telenovelas. But you are right about Amaya, it's really educational. Especially about the old civilization. They are really doing their best to make the set real, according to the facts. Even the dialect they are using. I know it's supposed to be the dialect of the south but since their viewers are mostly Tagalog, they make it up for it by speaking in deep Tagalog. I also love the costumes! That's what really attracts me to the show. It's very colorful just like it should be. But I don't watch the show regularly as much as I want to because I'm not very fond of tv watching anymore. I'm more into downloading movies and foreign dramas. But whenever I catch Amaya, I try to watch as much as I can.

hi:) I always watch this epic serye,and yes I could say that it's different from their ordinary telenovelas,it's entertaining and somehow informative, like I'm seeing how people before lived. and I like that even before there is already some woman who can fight for their land.

I don't watch amaya coz I don't have chance to watch it. And if ever I'll have, I'll prefer not. Not only the telenovelas are not worth to watch, but also the film. They don't have the quality. That's why I rarely watch filipino films. I only watch it when they give out free tickets :)

I instantly loved this epic serye the first time I've watched it. I was awed and proud that finally, they aired something that is our own. Portraying and educating us with our own history and all. Because I think that we need to remind ourselves of our history from time to time. Plus, the words spoken adds up to my admiration. I like hearing those deep Tagalog words in the casts' conversations. It made me more proud of heritage and culture!

oh i have not watched a single episode of this series. i think since you liked it well it sure is a good one. =) im more of a channel 2 viewer haha.. if i do not like the series they are showing on tv i would just turn off the tv and turn to my laptop and be here on mylot. i enjoy and i earn at the same time hahah

I think GMA 7 has gone to great lengths to get this project going. I don't really follow Amaya that often but based on the production alone, the dresses, the scenes, the script and everything else in it I can say that they didn't consider cutting the budget short. It's something that Filipinos should patronize since it portrays pre spanish Filipino culture at its best. It is some something that we can truly say as our very own and very much Filipino. The only thing I have against Amaya is the very slow phasing of events that it tends to bore the viewers, well that's just my observation only but that's the main reason why I don't stay too long to finish an episode without changing channels, because you can appreciate the actors dresses and accessories and the houses specifically built and the locations appropriately chosen just to get that authentic feel but in the end, it's really the story and the acting that matter and how the turn of evens keep the audience glued on the screen even with the commercial breaks.

This is the reason why I am not watching GMA7 and until now I don't even bother to look at it because their disappointing scripts, dialogues and so on. Even the Party Pilipinas when I tuned on it just to look on something my brother even yelled at me to change the channel because he does not like it. When I've tried to watch the Zaido before there was a part when Tia Pusit was nagging that much until to the point that my mother asked me to change the channel. But look? When it comes to the series of abs cbn they never ask me to change the channel and yet they are even asking me of what is the reason that thing is happening. I am actually a fan of watching 100 Days To Heaven and other people here at home are laughing in some scenes when they are hearing the little girl giving her rebuttals.

you are right about Amaya. I find Filipino telenovelas quite cheesy and corny at times. But Amaya is really informative. Some teachers even use it in schools for easy teaching/illustration of our history. I hope that they produce and invest in more valued stories like this one.