Gerald Anderson-led series puts spotlight on Filipinos affected by West PH Sea issue

September 4 ------ The lives and livelihoods of Filipinos living and working along the West Philippine Sea are at the center of “Pusong Bayani,” a new four-part online series featuring actor Gerald Anderson and other personalities.

The series takes Anderson, Pauline Amelinckx, Argel Saycon and Gifer Fernandez to coastal communities, where they meet fisherfolk, soldiers, families and other Filipinos whose daily lives are affected by developments in the disputed waters. The first episode brings the group to Palawan, beginning at the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command headquarters before heading to the Buena Vista coastal community.

The first episode brings the group to Palawan, beginning at the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command headquarters before heading to the Buena Vista coastal community. “Nakita namin yung effect, how their daily lives, their livelihood was directly affected by what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea,” he told Manila Bulletin.

He said the resilience of the communities they visited also stood out to him. “Mataas pa rin yung morale nila. They keep fighting and striving every day. With their humor, their warmth, they keep going,” Anderson said. For Anderson, “Pusong Bayani” is less about the headlines and more about the people living with their consequences. “Nakita namin yung effect, how their daily lives, their livelihood was directly affected by what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

The actor was also struck by the resilience of the fisherfolk and families they met. “Mataas pa rin yung morale nila. They keep fighting and striving every day. With their humor, their warmth, they keep going,” Anderson said.

Amelinckx, a free diver and marine conservation advocate, focused on the environmental impact of the issue, saying she saw firsthand damage to the ocean floor while also witnessing efforts by divers and fisherfolk to protect marine resources. For Fernandez, the people featured in the series illustrate a form of heroism that does not necessarily involve extraordinary acts. “Heroism is not always about doing something extraordinary,” he said. “It is about ordinary Filipinos who continue to be brave, resilient and hopeful despite the challenges they face every day.”

Anderson said he hopes the series will encourage viewers to regard the West Philippine Sea as a national issue. “I hope they stop seeing this as someone else’s issue. Issue natin ’to as a country,” he said.

Source: mb.com.ph