Fragments
Friday evening and I have not seed a movie for months. Tired but switching on TV, nothing, flapping through channels. I end up on having culturally educational tour. First watching the CCTV and best parts of the spring festival; athletics forming human pyramids, serenade honoring the Chinese calligraphy, modern street show with traditional story and overwhelming visual effects on the China pavillion of Sanghai expo. Beautiful, coordinated and full of national pride. Then turning the next channel where Korean team of doctors is going to small village in Indonesian jungle. Medicines and health care free for everyone connected to the environmental philosophy. The environment is connected to physical well being of us tells the narrator. The doctors dressed in white spotless sporty healthcare outfit and caps, eagerly inspecting tree trunks in plantation on the field tour attached to their volunteer mission. Followed by interview of Indonesian Minister of Environment, with broken English the enthusiastic interviewee enquires how the other nations are contributing to efforts of Indonesian government in compacting climate change? And of course finally after endless details on the contribution Indonesian government is doing themselves….the Minister remembers to mention also Korea. Smiles and nods. After I am back to Pilipino channel NBN. First scene is hip hop slow and long, girls in miniskirts and boys leaning to walls. Mellow and sexy interrupted by advertisement of President on the charity add that tells those disadvantaged and suffering can get help. The programme ends and MC introduces traditional dances with pacific style, drumming and circles, this is going on in small island town in the South, fiesta again do not miss the event….then new programme….the huge stage mission with the Pilipino pastor from overseas. The crowd dressed in white gowns bending in the move of the gospel song lifting their arms up towards salvation. This all in the matter of less than five minutes! I am back to Philippines sitting on the floor of our living room. Wondering what from these three channels would actually tell the sweetest story, the lie that makes living, belonging and believing worth?
