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Affilliation
The Explainer (ANC)
It’s a show from ANC. At first, it seems like a letdown since the title feels so uninspired. Seeing the host try to position himself correctly on the screen and the display behind him doesn’t help. But if you hold on to your patience just long enough for him to start presenting the issue at hand, you’ll quickly find out how well the show’s title describes the essence of the show.
“The Explainer” discusses various issues involving the Philippines, commonly political or economic issues that commonly is the “hot topic of the month”. As a TV host, Manolo Quezon (”The Explainer” himself) appears somewhat ill-at-ease with the camera recording his every word. It’s visually quite awkward. The things coming out of his mouth, however, at top notch. Skipping the visual aspects, you’ll notice that the issues are typically very relevant to the times, the facts are well presented, and as many sides and complexities of the issue is explored. If ever there are guests, the guests (the ones I’ve seen, at least) are highly knowledgeable with the issue and are typically willing to present all sides as they are, regardless of their personal position on the topic. This, plus the fact that Manolo knows how to keep things in track and to ask proper questions to dig deeper or clarify the discussion, makes for a very intelligent show.
Yesterday, the topic was about the “strengthening” of the Philippine peso. Most Filipinos know that currently, we’re experiencing an economic boom, stocks are at a record high, and the peso hasn’t performed this well against the US dollar in years. How does this affect exports, OCW remittances, and alleviating poverty? Is a good Philippine peso versus the US dollar a straightforward indicator of progress as many Filipinos believe (or are made to believe)? The show manages to give a good introduction on this, looks beyond the Philippines and how we fare compared to other countries in the region (is the phonomenon unique to the Philippines? how does our growth compare to the others?), and the guest is very careful with her answers (she even qualifies which of what she says are opinions). Manolo also manages to bring up typical questions the layman may want answered , which makes the whole discussion actually quite accessible to laymen (assuming a certain level of English proficiency).
The show’s title feels uninspired. The host gets occasionally gets awkward, particularly when beside the blue screen. But, by god, it’s a helluvan informative show. Anybody who actually cares or wants to know the different sides, aspects, and complexities of various issues the Philippines is going through would greatly benefit from watching The Explainer do what he does best… explaining.
The Explainer is aired every Tuesday, 18:00 (6pm GMT +8) at ANC (Philippines) with replays on Tuesdays, 23:00 and Saturdays, 10:00.
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