Critically Acclaimed Local TV Shows You Can Stream Online
May 21, 2020 • Meryl Medel
Despite the shift from enhanced community quarantine to general community quarantine in most of the country and modified enhanced community quarantine in some regions, most of us are still staying at home (we all should, especially if you can afford to!), and we’re maybe working, studying, or just Netflix-and-chilling. But what about local-TV-and-chilling? There are many critically acclaimed TV shows produced by fellow Filipinos that you could stream online. They’re all uploaded online in full, so you don’t need to worry about being left on a cliffhanger. Plus you could maybe learn a thing or two about Philippine culture and history! Check them out below.
Elemento
If you can stomach a little bit of horror, don’t pass up the opportunity to watch this anthology series. Each episode of Elemento can stand alone. The show tells the story of Philippine mythical creatures and legends but with a modern twist to make them relatable.
Alamat
If you want to watch something with the kids at your house, you should give Alamat a try. It brings to (animated) life all those stories told to us as children so that we can learn an important lesson. Some of them may be more than familiar, like “Ang Kuwento ni Juan Tamad” and “Alamat ng Bayabas.”
Amaya
Set in the pre-colonial era, this historical period drama series follows the titular character Amaya, the daughter of Datu Bugna, born a “binukot” or a hidden princess who cannot step on the ground. She was born with a twin snake, which marked her as the savior of the land against the tyrannical Rajah Mangubat.
It is one of the most expensive TV series produced in the Philippines. You can see how it was made through this one-hour primer.
Matanglawin
This weekly Kim Atienza-hosted show is full of scientific and environmental tidbits of information that would keep your mind occupied from debunking myths to making science experiments. It’s kind of like NatGeo, but with the distinct voice of Kuya Kim narrating about what you’re watching.
Ilustrado
Jose Rizal’s life may already be too familiar with all of us, but it’s never a bad time to watch this period drama starring Alden Richards. Ilustrado won several awards upon its release, and it was also a finalist at the 2016 New York Film Festivals Awards.
Katipunan
Another series based on something familiar to most Filipinos, Katipunan tells the story of how it came about, how it became the face of the revolution, and how its leader Andres Bonifacio faced his end.
Bayan Ko
Political dynasties and patronage politics aren’t new to Filipinos. In this drama series, a young man becomes the newly elected mayor of Lagros. When he assumes office, he discovers some employees have been making deals under the table. He works hard to fight corruption and remove it from his administration, but the political dynasty of the Rubios are determined to foil his plans.
Alaala
This one isn’t actually a series, but it deserves a special mention. Starring Alden Richards once again, Alaala tells the story of Bonifacio Ilagan, a former student activist during Marcos’ martial law regime who became a detainee and eventually a survivor of the human rights abuses under the Marcos administration.
Which one are you planning to binge first? Tell us below!
