Months before "Oras Na" -- an upcoming environmental documentary produced by GMA News and Public Affairs – was pitched to the network’s bosses, it already had the backing of one of the network’s most popular actors: Richard Gutierrez.
"He was already with us during the brainstorming process. Nakikipagpuyatan siya sa amin," recalls Anj Atienza, program manager of "Oras Na." “Richard even participated in the pitch, para lang ma-approve yung topic because he was passionate about it."
"Oras Na" will be the fourth environmental documentary hosted by Richard Gutierrez for GMA News and Public Affairs following the success of "Signos" in 2008, "Planet Philippines" in 2009, and "Wildlife For Sale" in 2010 .
"Parang sanay na rin siya sa 'public affairs style' na on-the-go lagi," said "Oras Na" executive producer Richelle Figueroa about Gutierrez.
"Alam na niya kung paano mag-handle, for example, ng mga interviews with case studies," says Figueroa, adding that Gutierrez would often ask for advice from the producers about what types of questions he should ask.
The producers of "Oras Na" hope that having an influential celebrity on the team will help get the documentary’s message across: that the planet is facing a number of deadlines far more pressing than those we face on a day-to-day basis. Many experts believe that at the current rate of human consumption, some of the most important resources to our survival, such as seafood, freshwater, fossil fuels, and forests, may run out in just a matter of decades.
"We want to draw attention to the deadlines of nature," said Atienza. “Everyone has deadlines in their lives, individual pursuits. But there are bigger and more important deadlines for humanity and for the planet ," she said.
And what are some of these environmental deadlines?
Scientific experts expect the world's forests and fresh water supplies to both disappear by the year 2025, while fossil fuels and seafood stocks may be depleted by the 2030 and 2050.
Gutierrez and the crew of "Oras Na" travelled around the country to document how these deadlines are already a reality in some places.
In Tawi-Tawi, a province surrounded by ocean water, residents are already feeling the effects of having to live without stable access to freshwater. In Surigao del Sur, forests that have stood for hundreds of years are being cut down at a devastating pace. In Sarangani, fishermen who once were able to catch tons of wild tuna are now going home empty-handed.
To more vividly illustrate these realities, the producers used timelapse cinematography techniques, sometimes filming single scenes or shots for hours at a time. "Dito, makikita nila ang effort at time, na dinevote to each story," said Figueroa, recalling the 14-hour timelapse they did at Navotas Fishport to show viewers the huge volume of fish that are bought and sold at the market. Gutierrez even sampled the life of an average fisherman, spending three hours at sea.
“After noon, parang na-feel daw niya yung hirap ng (pagiging) mangingisda. Parang mas nabigyan niya ng importance dahil na-experience na niyang (mangisda). Mas papahalagahan na daw niya ang pagkain ng isda," said Figueroa.
Atienza says that "Oras Na" will also aim to educate audiences about how to be proactive and have a positive impact on the environment.
"Sabi nga ni Richard, he wanted to something ‘uplifting’ at the end of it all. He wanted the people to feel empowered, not gloomy and hopeless after watching," said Atienza.
"Hopefully after (watching the documentary), everyone would want to make better use of our time for something more positive," said Atienza.
"Oras Na" will air this October 30, 2011 at 10:30 P.M. on GMA-7.
