My Stand Against Filipino-Dubbed American Films

Recently I tweeted about the use of Filipino dubbing on American films that are aired on the big networks such as ABS-CBN 2, TV5 and GMA 7, which I staunchly declared 'sucks'. Here's the reason why: Filipino dubbers couldn't match well the accents used by the American actors. An American actor such as Brad Pitt can sound brilliantly and clearly, but if a Filipino dubber used his dialogue and placed his voice instead, it doesn't sound too well, or rather too deep and gravelly for a first-class Filipino with a deep knowledge of English. Of course the main reason the three big networks dub them in their native tongue is for the mass audience to understand, but then again, who wants to watch them anyway if they had already seen the films in a theater with popcorn on hand?

History says that the three big networks originally aired American films in their original form, without the use of dubbers. Yes we're talking about GMA 7's SNBO, ABS-CBN's Sunday Family Cinema, and ABC 5's (now TV5) The Big Night. Of course RPN 9 used to air movie blocks such as Saturday Night Playhouse and Sunday's Big Event back in their 90s heyday. But digital technology such as the use of torrents for downloading, 3D and piracy has made it difficult for them to air them originally. Not only that, internet has added the hype towards an upcoming film soon to hit theaters. In 2010, TV5 began airing American films through their 5 Max Movies in Filipino dubbing. Soon after ABS-CBN and GMA followed suit, thus shifting their attention to the C, D and E classes.

Here's the thing. The only reason they air them today is to fill programming hours on weekdays, mostly during the afternoon, somewhat boring at best. In fact TV5 airs too many movies (and reruns of now-defunct programs) in one week that what ABS-CBN and GMA do. The American films in Filipino dubbing don't mean a thing, because as I mentioned, they sound pretty bad and pathetic. I'm ok for Filipino-dubbed Koreanovelas, Latinovelas or Japanese anime so that they can understand well, but Filipino-dubbed American movies? They suck like eggs.

If you want to watch really authentic American films without going to theaters (if you're willing to endure the delay, of course), better hook up with a cable provider (e.g. SkyCable, Cignal or Destiny) and watch on Star Movies, HBO or CineMax, or download from torrent with internet connection from your Mac or your laptop. That's way better than watching sucky Filipino dubbing.