ABS-CBN reaches agreement with CHED, IP leaders over ‘Bagani’ term

ABS-CBN Corporation finally reached an agreement with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and leaders of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) on the use of the term ‘Bagani’ as the title of the network’s newest fantaserye. (Photo: Bagani/Facebook)

After having a dialogue on the issues hounding the topic, ABS-CBN Corporation finally reached an agreement with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and leaders of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) on the use of the term ‘Bagani’ as the title of the network’s newest fantaserye.

In the discussion witnessed by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), all concerned parties were able to have an opportunity to explain their positions on the issues raised on the program.

“After hearing all sides, all parties have come to an understanding that the use of “Bagani” is in good faith. In continuing the use of “Bagani” for the teleserye, all have agreed to be partners in further educating the Filipino audience about Filipino culture and its roots from Indigenous Peoples (IP),” ABS-CBN said in its statement.

The media entity said that there are real Baganis among Indigenous Peoples, describing them as the IPs’ warriors who secure whole communities and ancestral domains from external threats and armed intrusions.

“They are looked up to by IPs as armed vanguards willing to die for communities to thrive and live in peace. They are among the inspirations used by ABS-CBN in coming up with the fantaserye entitled “Bagani,” it added.

CHED Commissioner Ronald Adamat, a former representative of the Indigenous People Sector, earlier announced that he would like to seek “immediate clarification and explanation from ABS-CBN as to how and why the term ‘Bagani’, which is an Indigenous Peoples terminology and endemic only to IPs [Indigenous Peoples], ended up used in a teleserye that I suspect is devoid of real meaning and substance.”

He further said that the show’s writers and producers may have “overlooked and neglected” the cultural sensitivities of the country’s IPs, and that it is not enough for the team to arrive with such concepts, titles, and characters that would make blockbusters yet carry with them “half-truths and lies that destroy and negate the real essence of an IP terminology.”

ABS-CBN, however, defended that the production team did an intensive research “to determine a distinctly Filipino term that embodies a champion who fights for the common good of his tribe or family.”

“Bagani,” top-billed by actors Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano, first aired on March 5. Before the airing of this program, ABS-CBN has been showing a disclaimer, emphasizing that the story is purely fictitious and takes inspiration from elements of Filipino mythology and folklore.

ABS-CBN also reiterated that the program recognizes the importance of the Bagani to the culture and history of IPs in the country, and never intended to malign or disrespect their beliefs.