SmallTalk: Limiting foreign telenovelas?

One of the bills that filed today in Congress is House Bill 3839 by former Manila Mayor and now Buhay Partylist Congressman Lito Atienza. The bill seeks to limit foreign dramas may it be Korean or Mexican during prime time that is between 6PM to 10 PM.

“While it is entertaining to watch television shows also known as teleseryers from our neighboring countries such as South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, the proliferation of such shows lessen the time available for our Philippine-produced shows,” Atienza states. 

I commend Mr. Atienza’s objective to give greater time for Philippine produce shows. Through the years, Philippine dramas are not as par as the quality that foreign teleseryes especially Korean dramas has. Overused plots, poor acting and commercialism are several reasons causing the degradation of quality of Philippine dramas. Today, Philippine dramas are slowly improving.

However, this bill is unnecessary. Between 6PM to 10PM, locally-produced shows are broadcast. If there is, the drama is broadcast at 6PM which is seldom. Most foreign dramas in primetime are broadcast after 10PM. The bill should have been filed during the heyday of Mexican and Korean dramas. Besides, foreign dramas are not rating well unlike Pinoy dramas. In fact, the finale of Got to Believe last Friday is the highest rating, so far, for this year.

Limiting foreign telenovelas is not a bad thing either. This could encourage producers to produce more dramas. But the problems with locally-produced shows, the quality, is the reason why viewers like me watches foreign telenovelas on TV or online.