Rossana Hwang’s digital drama series “Pipol of da Barangay” has earned a nomination for Best Original Digital Drama Series at the Asian Television Awards.
Rossana Hwang of Kapitana Entertainment Media, an independent producer of films and TV series, is thrilled that her digital drama series “Pipol of da Barangay” has been nominated for Best Original Digital Drama Series at the Asian Television Awards. This recognition places her production alongside major international projects like “Imperfect Victim”by iQiyi of China, “Se0fis” by Tonton of Malaysia, “Secret Ingredient” by Viu Philippines, “A Journey to Love” by various companies in China, “Kaala Paani” by Netflix India, “Kill Sera Sera” by August Pictures and Mediacorp of Singapore, and “Last Madame: Sisters of the Night” by Ochre Pictures and Mediacorp of Singapore.
Notably, “Pipol of da Barangay” stands as a “David among Goliaths,” with Rossana, fondly known as “Kapitana,” competing against established companies and streaming platforms. Kapitana Entertainment’s first film, “The Women of Tonta Club,” premiered online in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Pipol of da Barangay,” meanwhile, is a sitcom that stars Julia Clarete as Kapitana Miriam, a newly elected barangay captain who does her best to fulfill her duties amid opposition forces and community challenges. John Medina is one of her councilors who brings a dynamic tension to Kapitana Miriam’s already demanding position. Rossana is not only the producer, she is also the writer of the sitcom.
The series can be seen on the Kapitana Entertainment’s YouTube channel.
Rossana elaborates, “‘Pipol of Da Barangay’ is a spin-off of ‘Barangay Mirandas’ featured in Net 25, retaining 75% of the original material while incorporating 25% new content. This blend of familiar and fresh elements offers a new perspective, giving viewers both the essence of the original and some new sequences to enjoy.”
The special series got the attention of the Asian Television Awards. She shares, “They invited me and I decided to join come what may.”
When the shortlist and guidelines for the awarding day were sent to Rossana much later, she was pleasantly surprised. “It was surreal,” she says. “I was having lunch and I saw the email (from the Asian Television Awards) and the first thing I did was to scroll the nomination list. There were many categories and my category was towards the end. So it was kinda a drum roll thing.”
Having been a long-time barangay captain of a barangay in Makati, Rossana knows the inside stories in the barangay government. She explains, “I felt it was important for people to understand how a barangay functions. I’ve always enjoyed weaving a compelling narrative, as this isn’t meant to be a documentary. Even though the incidents are fictional, it draws inspiration from real events, making it relatable and meaningful.”
The Asian Television Awards nomination affirms that Rossana, as an independent producer, is on the right track, and it drives her to create more stories that reflect the Filipino experience. “This nomination inspires me to level up my craft as a visual storyteller and highlight the Philippines as a hub for quality content. It motivates me to strive for excellence and share our rich culture and stories with a wider audience.”
This former “Kapitana” sees the changing entertainment landscape as an opportunity for developing players such as herself. She declares, “I agree that TV and cinemas are facing challenges as streaming becomes more popular. However, there’s another side to this story: many ordinary creators, like myself, now have opportunities to showcase our work through self-publishing on various platforms. My dream, though, is to reach a wider audience and have a stronger platform than just self-publishing. Being nominated for an Asian award and standing alongside esteemed creators from other countries makes me feel like a winner already.”
The winners of the Asian Television Awards 2024 will be unveiled at a ceremony on November 30, 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
