MATANGLAWIN Review

MATANGLAWIN
Mapagmasid, Mapagmatyag, Mapangahas!

Showtime: Mondays at 11:30 PM on ABS-CBN 2
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars!!!


It was during a lazy sunday afternoon when i chanced upon Kuya Kim on the ANC channel doing a "Croc Huner", pinoy style. Biodiversity conservation advocate that I am, I watched the show with a careful and critical eye. (I think what I saw was a replay of the show that aired on March 24 @ ABS-CBN.)

And i was impressed. VERY impressed.

The show featured the deadly wildlife in Mindoro... and then some. Kuya Kim Atienza flooded me with trivia that I've probably heard and read before, yet he gives a flavor that I'm sure will appeal to a large audience.

I have so much positive feedback for this show, I don't even know where to begin... You need not worry that the show will be a case of information overload. The production not only provides a very clear and effective script, but also showcases animation effects that demonstrate complicated processes (such as how a Northern Spitting Cobra is able to target it's venom to a victim 5 feet away, or how a Freshwater Crocodile twists and turns its victim’s body underwater to crack its bones).

Kuya Kim likewise deserves applause for his very realistic encounters with both people and animals. Watching kuya kim is like watching a truly inquisitive traveler hungry for knowledge from locals and experts alike. He jumps into every learning opportunity like many of our respected DENR fieldmen. And he willingly shares this knowledge to everyone without the viewer feeling stupid nor overwhelmed.

And did I mention that they are able to cover so many topics and organize them effectively? I have listened to many biodiversity and wildlife experts, yet no one has taught me so much in such a short time.

It’s unfortunate, though, how some simply view the show as a copycat to GMA’s Born to Be Wild. I was delighted when I found out that GMA is has a show featuring the wildlife, but I don’t think their hosts have the Steve Irwin flair that Kuya Kim has. And if I remember correctly, they featured the animals in Zoobic Safari – wildlife in captivity used for entertainment purposes (I’ll feature my “thing” against entertainment parks like Zoobic Safari and the Manila Ocean Park later).

Bygones... What I’m saying is this: copycat or not, shows that advocate awareness of our wildlife and biodiversity should be a welcome treat. And I hope they continue to provide quality entertainment so that people will ACTUALLY watch them and learn from them.

Kudos to the people behind Matanglawin! Kuya Kim, sana ikaw na lang ang naging DENR Secretary. Hahaha!


LINKS:
PEP: Kim Atienza’s TV show "Matanglawin" premieres March 24
ABS-CBN News: Kuya Kim's 'Matang Lawin' premieres Monday night