Promising start for ‘teen pregnancy’ series

AGUAS. Pivotal portrayal.

The first telecast of “Bagito” last Monday, Nov. 17, was a promising start for the potentially controversial “teen pregnancy” series, because it was brisk and focused, “subliminally” assuring viewers that the show would not excessively exploit its “hot” topic and theme just to generate top viewership.

In just one telecast, its 14-year-old protagonist (played by Nash Aguas) was shown dealing with the first stirrings of post-adolescent sexuality, getting smitten by his late-teen tutor, and ending up having to take her home after a drinking binge—with potentially “horizontal” consequences.

Now, that’s efficient storytelling—none of the usual and tedious “generational” back stories, etc. If the new series is as focused and viewer-friendly as this, we could end up watching it on a regular basis.

On point of performances, Aguas’ pivotal portrayal provides the show with a solid center, partly due to the fact that he isn’t teen-idol handsome, just an ordinary Everyteen who happens to end up, definitely without planning or wanting to, as a very young dad!

Also turning in credible and creditable portrayals are his parents (Angel Aquino and Ariel Rivera), who all too soon realize that the global crisis in teens’ galloping hormones isn’t just an abstract fear, but has come to roost and, stork-like, deposit its tiny human package at their front door!

Sexuality

To be sure, the show is hamstrung by its predictable use of the stereotypical, loud and uncouth teen barkada to keep the action lively in group scenes, and its depiction of early intimations of tween and teen sensuality don’t offer much that’s fresh, edgy or new.

But, we’re prepared to give the show more time to find its own dramatic sea legs, so it can tell its provocative and topically significant tale its way.

“Bagito” is potentially important because it could break new ground in the use of TV as an aid in young viewers’ sex-ed information—and, hopefully, cautionary enlightenment. There have been “teen pregnancy”-themed productions in the past, but they have tended to focus on young mothers.

“Bagito” chooses to zero in on their male “impregnators”—a contribution that could be significant, not just on point of information, but also in furtherance of attitudinal change, because most of the time, the male partner in teen pregnancy cases is let off the hook to breezily skips out of town, etc.

Since “Bagito” won’t allow its main protagonist to do that, but instead require him to manfully own up to his responsibilities, the series’ value could be even more significant than previously surmised. Let’s hope it lives up to its responsibilities!

Another major issue is how parents and educators will “take” the new show. Will they end up thinking that a 5:50 p.m. telecasting slot is too early for such potentially controversial viewing fare? Or, will they allow the show some time to prove itself and its capacity for self-regulation before alarm bells are nervously sounded?

Finally, what about the series’ target audience, male and female teen viewers? Will they find value in its revelations and intimations, or will they giggle and snigger and find its information all too obvious, gauche, and even passé?

Lots of key questions to answer, so we hope that the people behind “Bagito” are up to their obviously daunting, complicated, “walking-on-eggs” tasks!