JUANA CHANGE: WAKE UP NA, BAYAN!
January 2010
By Pepper Marcelo
A new star on the Internet is born. Though not quite on the same level as British singer Susan Boyle or local sensation Charice Pempengco, a new heroine, Juana Change, has emerged on the video site YouTube. Juana's growing popularity among Filipinos stems from her vocal criticism of our political leaders and biting commentary on current issues.
With her rotund physique, colorful personality and in-your-face humor, Juana Change is spewing her forthright opinion on a number of topics in a dozen videos (and counting); from the always controversial subject of Charter-Change, the upcoming 2010 elections, as well as the plight and sacrifice of the overseas Filipino workers, among others. In "Christmas Offering", for example, Juana rattles off the personalities involved in anomalies and controversies -- from Virgilio Garcillano to Jose Pidal and Benjamin Abalos.
The woman behind the Juana Change character is Mae Paner, an accomplished commercial director, theater actress and comedienne. In an interview with Planet Philippines, she explained the impetus for the creation of Juana Change stemmed from a profound concern over what is happening in today's scandal-ridden political environment and the desire to do something about the situation.
"One of my friends said, 'Why don't we come up with video materials where we use you as the actress?'" she recalled. "We can do that, but we don't have money."
To cut cost, Paner volunteered to play different roles and characters. "That way, we didn't have to pay other talents, we only have to deal with me. So we did."
A talented group of writers and directors from advertising, lawyers, students, and a gifted pool of theater actors make up the Convergence Team, which produces and uploads the videos.
The first Juana Change scripts, written by screenwriter Rody Vera, were more daring than what Paner had originally intended, but now says that was the key.
"Rody said, 'Mae, this is the only way we can have the edge. There are a billion people doing something on YouTube. They will not know what we're doing unless we give it an edge.' That's the edge -- the truth, the boldness, the humor."
Paner describes Juana Change as a one-of-a-kind, very daring figure. "She speaks her mind, she doesn't mince words. She says exactly what she feels. I think that's what's very good about the character, and the use of humor to make it more interesting, I think it's something that makes this Juana Change have its own advocacy."
There are many layers to Juana beyond her outrageous physical appearance and mannerisms. Even the name "Juana Change" could be interpreted two ways: To "want a change" (calling for action), or "wala nang change" (to give in and resign to what's happening).
So far, Paner and the Convergence Team have produced a dozen videos, with their most popular one, "Fixer", which touched upon corruption and bribery, gaining more than 60,000 (and rising) viewer hits.
"We were shocked that people were responding," she said. "We were hoping that people were watching, but we didn't realize that it would be this fast."
Juana Change's popularity is nearly phenomenal. Paner has she been featured on the local news and gets invited regularly to symposia, school events and other gatherings. A crew from Germany had traveled to Manila to interview and feature her for a German news program.
"We realized, wow, this change thing is something so needed and responding to the soul of every Filipino," said Paner. "You're able to say what they want to say. Or like the way it's said because it's funny or the boldness of it. There's something about Juana that they can relate to."
CONTINUE READING....
http://planetphilippines.com/people/juana-change-wake-up-na-bayan/
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PRES. NOYNOY AQUINO VS. SEN. BONGBONG MARCOS: PHILIPPINES COULD HAVE BEEN SINGAPORE NOW?by PINASISM656,092 views
Wrong sense of Catholicism! Nakakalungkot na ganito na ang mga Pilipino, na naturingang only Catholic nation in Asia. Hindi lisensya ang relihiyon mga sa mga maling gawi. Our Lord will judge those people rightfully.
studentquestor 10 months ago