My weeks (months?) of crash researching on Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, has not been for nought. Aside from providing a rich source of material for the Knights of Rizal Central Canada upcoming television special on OMNI Television on June 19, 2022, which I am writing, it gave me a wonderful opportunity to really get to know Rizal and what stuff he was made of. What about him led to his being designated as the Philippines’ national hero?
You have to start with the man first to find out the hero in the man. From reading his biographies and studies on his life and writings, I have came to the conclusion that Jose Rizal was a larger- than- life man. I must admit though that I have never read his books or writings until now, but I have read a lot about him. Just reading up on him is already mind-boggling and thought provoking. Right now, I have just started reading his novel “Noli Me Tangere”, a copy of which, to my delight, my granddaughter had. She is only 20 and came to Canada when she was only 3 years of age. It was heartening to know that a year ago, she wanted to find out more about her roots. And what better way than to read what our very own Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, wrote. “Noli Me Tangere” is purportedly a love story but it is really a novel of a political nature and of social injustice. It gives one an idea of how the Filipinos felt after centuries of having Spanish colonial masters.
On the back cover of Harold Augenbraum’s English translation version of the “Noli Me Tangere” which was originally written by Rizal in Spanish, it is written…” The Noli was the first major artistic manifestation of Asian resistance to European colonialism, and Rizal became a guiding conscience – and martyr- for the revolution that would subsequently rise up in the Spanish province”. The Philippines was then considered a province of Spain having been a Spanish colony for over 3 centuries.
As I read more about Rizal and his writings, I feel proud to have Filipino roots. And to be Asian as well.
Speaking of Asia – here are more finds for C drama fanatics (like me) —
There is a new drama series on Netflix which has me tele-marathoning every Thursday. This series has an airing schedule of 4 times a week in China (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday) but all 4 episodes are released on Netflix every Thursday. By the time this issue is published, 18 episodes will have been released already with 22 more episodes to go. Which drama series is this? What else but “Who Rules the World” with Yang Yang of the “kiligacious” “You Are My Glory” and Zhao Lusi of another series that is “kilig-worthy”“The Long Ballad”.
“Who Rules the World” is a perfect combination, for me, of wholesome entertainment with breath-taking and mesmerizing martial arts moves. Add to these, good looks scattered all over. They make you forget the dark side of the story which, of course, includes, intrigues, schemes, political machinations and the like. Or another way to look at it is that the dark side is in perfect juxtaposition with the lighter side of the story. Like yin and yang. Check this out for yourself on Netflix. Yang Yang is a joy to watch. Just like in “You are My Glory” where he is paired with the equally talented and charming Dilraba Dilmurat, a certified box office Chinese actress of Uyghur descent. The first time you see her, you wonder how she came to be Chinese. She looks more Middle Eastern or Arabic than Chinese.
As it turns out, the Uyghurs are of Turkish origins and recognized as native to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Northwest China. It helps to to read up more on the history of China and, believe it or not, to watch all the good Chinese historical dramas. But going back to “Who Rules the World”.
This Yang Yang drama series is definitely an exciting and de-stressing series to watch. You may want to check it out on Netflix. The title is reminiscent of that best-selling book “When China Rules the World” by Martin Jacques. The latter is of a different genre altogether. And yet is somehow related. The Martin Jacques book was an eye opener for me. He foresaw the rise of China as early as 12 years ago. Fascinating and incisive read. I think a lot of other people saw this coming.
Another C-drama definitely worth your while to watch is “The Royal Feast” which is on You Tube. It stars Xu Kai of “The Story of Yanxi Palace” the most popular drama in China and the most googled drama series around the world in 2018 with 20 billion views within 3 months of its debut on air. And counting at this moment. I would not be surprised if it has now reached over 30 or 40 billion views. Amazing! In the 2022 “The Royal Feast” Xu Kai is now the male lead and does a stellar job of it. You can see how his acting has matured since the 2018 “ Story of Yanxi Palace” where he played a minor role.
What is outstanding is as you can surmise from the title, “The Royal Feast” is an opulent visual feast of food on screen, including how it is prepared. No, it is not a cooking show. But it might as well be one. The whole series is like poetry for me. Including the production design – the outfits, the color combination, the composition of the shots (food or not). It is a different cry from another drama series on the same historical character – Zhu Zhanji, the 5th emperor of the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century. . But “Ming Dynasty” is also an excellent production with an outstanding cast, especially the lead stars – Zhu Yawen and Tang Wei. Tragic ending but exquisite acting and production.
In “The Royal Feast”, more than its riveting twists and turns in the story, the production design is remarkable. Although it featured relatively not so well known stars except for Xu Kai, who is now a recognized superstar, it nevertheless did not scrimp on the production design, sets, clothes (I do not even want to call them costumes, as is the case, in a film or theatre drama show) and accessories. They look like the real thing. The outfits do not look like costumes at all. I think they must have had the fortune of having the same art director or at least the same artistic staff for the series as “Story of Yanxi Palace”. What gorgeous clothes and furniture! Their use of color and texture is what I would call mid-century modern cum Oriental Rennaissance . Like a stylized combination of midcentury modern with the richness of Oriental and medieval colors of the Rennaissance. How they mixed them with exquisite taste is a delight to the eyes. And the focus on the food preparation for the royal family is a veritable visual feast. So good it makes you hungry.
For everyone who prefers to watch when all episodes are complete. Good news! All 40 episodes of “The Royal Feast” are posted on You Tube with English subtitles. So no cliff hangers for those who hate to feel “bitin” when following an interesting series. Like me.
Now, let me recommend just one more Chinese historical/fantasy drama – “Novoland: Pearl Eclipse”. Fascinating story. It was released in 2021 and all 48 episodes are also posted on You Tube with English subtitles. It sort has a funny title. I am still figuring it out. I know why the world “pearl” is there but soon enough I will get to a clearer idea why the title. I will probably have to re-watch all 48 episodes again. But funny title aside, it is another series which kept me riveted on the screen. Unusual but magical. Romantic and exciting story.
Happy Asian Heritage Month as we celebrate the Asian in us!
More from me soon and continue to keep safe.
Tessie O. Taylor