- Commission on Higher Education (CHeD) demanded that Bagani become “historically accurate and culturally correct.”
- ABS-CBN’s epicserye Bagani became controversial after Indigenous People representatives revealed that they felt offended and disrespected about its title.
- Bagani remains real people on who protect their own communities.
CHeD recently demanded ABS-CBN Corporation to make its epicserye Bagani to become historically accurate and culturally correct. However, ABS-CBN responded with a statement which said that the fantasy series will remain “purely fictitious.”
Bagani stars Liza Soberano, Enrique Gil, Makisig Morales, Sofia Andres and Matteo Guidicelli.
ABS-CBN Corporation released a statement on its epicserye, Bagani. The statement addressed CHeD commissioner Ronald Adamat and representatives of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). Manobo Tribes also suggested three things for the ABS-CBN to avoid further issues.
“ABS-CBN, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) commissioner Ronald Adamat, House of Representatives Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples chairperson Rep. Nancy Catamco, and leaders of the Indigenous Peoples had a dialogue witnessed by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) last Saturday (March 10) on the use of ‘Bagani’ as the title of the network’s newest fantaserye.”
The statement added that both camps reached an agreement. The agreement included that Bagani will contain educational material regarding Filipino culture and the Indigenous People (IP).
“All parties had the opportunity to discuss and explain their positions on the issues raised on the program. After hearing all sides, all parties have come to an understanding that the use of ‘Bagani’ is in good faith. In continuing the use of ‘Bagani’ for the teleserye, all have agreed to be partners in further educating the Filipino audience about Filipino culture and its roots from Indigenous Peoples (IP).”
ABS-CBN acknowledged that Baganis are real people among the IPs. They also added the real meaning and definition of Baganis.
“There are real Baganis among Indigenous Peoples. They are the IP’s warriors who protect entire communities and ancestral domains from external threats and armed intrusions.”
ABS-CBN proceeded that the real Baganis remain an inspiration to the actual fantasy series.
“They are looked up to by IPs as armed vanguards willing to die for communities to thrive and live in peace. They are among the inspirations used by ABS-CBN in coming up with the fantaserye entitled ‘Bagani.'”
The statement also includes that they had been showing a disclaimer since its pilot episode, that Bagani has a purely fictitious story. However, it also takes inspiration from Filipino mythology and folklore. Although it takes an inspiration to real Baganis, it does not represent any Indigenous People in the Philippines.
“Since it began airing on March 5, ABS-CBN has been showing a disclaimer before the airing of the program, emphasizing that the story is purely fictitious, takes inspiration from elements of Filipino mythology and folklore, and does not represent or pertain to any Indigenous Peoples in the country.”
ABS-CBN ended the statement that Bagani does not intend to disrespect the real Baganis.
They also added that they do not intend to offend the culture of the Indigenous People.
“The show would like to reiterate that it recognizes the importance of the Bagani to our Indigenous Peoples’ culture and history and never intended to malign or disrespect their beliefs.”