- Suzette Doctolero was offended on how the fantasy series Bagani portrayed Dimples Romano’s Babaylan.
- She claimed that the Babaylan character is close to her heart.
- She remarked that a Babaylan remains the highest duty and responsibility of a woman.
Suzette Doctolero was offended on how ABS-CBN epicserye Bagani depicted a Babaylan. In an interview with PEP.ph, Suzette expressed how good actress Dimples Romano is. However, she hoped that the head writer of Bagani would have researched about what a Babaylan really is.
In the said interview, Suzette commended on the direction. They have Dimples as a capable actress, however, she was offended on how the role of Babaylan was written.
“To be fair, maganda ang direction… They have capable and talented actors/stars. Dimples is a good actress. I know I’m not supposed to critique yung trabaho ng kapwa writer, so forgive me… Pero as a Filipino, I really find it revolting and inappropriate the way this idiotic writer depicts the babaylans. T*ng ina. Magbasa siya ng libro!”
Suzette wrote GMA Network’s Amaya in 2011. She also claimed Babaylans are close to her heart, naturally, she’s offended on how Bagani portrayed Dimple’s Babaylan.
Suzette shared that Bagani should educate the youth on epic, culture and history. Writers have the job on educating the youth which remains as a huge responsibility. If the Bagani writer isn’t serious in educating the youth, they should have stuck with comedy, drama or pornography.
“Bata ang target audience. Pag ignorante ang palabas, lalo at may kinalaman sa ating mga epiko, kultura at kasaysayan, ano ang epekto nito sa bata? Iisipin nila… mga baliw ang Babaylan? Writers, lalo na yung magtatangka to write something about our history o culture, dapat armasado ng research. Malaking responsabilidad ito. Kung hindi siya seryoso, dapat mag-stick siya sa pagsusulat ng comedy lang o drama o porn. Mas bagay siya doon.”
Enrique Villasis, Akeem Del Rosario and Mae Rose Balanay are billed as writers of Bagani. Suzette took to her Facebook account what the real meaning of Babaylan is. She wrote how the writer could have written the Babaylan role.
“Babaylan : seer, doctor, spiritual adviser, katungkulang laan para sa isang babae (o lalaking ina identify ang sarili bilang isang babae). Maaari rin siyang anak ng datu na binukot (angat sa karamihan kaya natatangi) na binayayaan ng kakayahan o kapangyarihan na magampanan ang mga nasabi ko.”
Suzette noted that Babaylan could be an enchantress. A babaylan could have a power just like a male political leader. She also remarked that a Babaylan remains the highest duty and responsibility of a woman.
“Maaari rin siyang isang oral enchantress (gaya ng unang eksena dito sa kalakip na video, na kasama ng mga mangangayaw o mandirigmang lulusob sa isang bayan para mamirata at yan ang gagawin niya habang naglalakbay sila—- ang awitin ang kapangyarihan o power ng kanilang pinuno para manghilakbot, matakot, humanga ang sinumang makarinig) ang babaylan ang Pinalamataas na katungkukan ng isang babae sa isang banwa (bayan). Katumbas ito ng isang datu, o political leader sa mga lalaki.”
Suzette shared what kind of Babaylan is the highest one. She also wrote how a Babaylan does miracle.
“Ang pinakamataas na uri ng babaylan ay isang babaylang bungaitan. Ito ay pinaniniwalaang nakakagawa na ng mga mirakulo. May mga tala na nakakalakad sila sa tubig (this is before naging kristyabo o katoliko ang Pilipinas kaya hindi ito haka hakang inangkop mula sa bibliya).”
Suzette requested and hoped that people should be careful working around the Philippine culture.
“Pakiusap na maging maingat tayo sa pagsusulat lalo na at mula sa ating mayamang kultura. Utang na loob. Huwag nating gawing kalokohan lalo at maraming batang nanonood. Hindi ito katatawanan.”
