These past few days, as I watch Asian dramas from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, I have realized how these countries appreciate and preserve their traditions and culture. They use the art of creating TV series to insert the idea of nationalism and also, to boost their tourism. It is their own way of showing the beauty of their country.

Korean drama Heartstrings is not only about the union of love and music. The story is not just about how Nicole and Kevin found true love through the rhythm of their musical instruments - the electric guitar and the classical Gayageum. At the very beginning, the scenes were taken at Jeju Island in which it is also one of the candidates in the New Seven Wonders of the World along with our very own Puerto Princesa Underground River. Even though the scenes in that captivating island were only shown for about 10 minutes, it is still a strategy to promote their tourist spots.

Who can ever forget the invasion of F4 with San Chai? Meteor Garden, Hana Kimi and Hot Shot are some of the famous Taiwanese dramas aired in Philippine TV. The way the dialogs are translated into Filipino language makes it a mixture of two countries. But then, the original Taiwanese culture dominates more.

Of course, J-dramas are always on the long list of Asianovelas shown here in the Philippines. Almost, if not all, the scenes are about their traditions. One can notice that in every Japanese drama or even in Anime, there would be a scene wherein the lead goes to a public bath, attends Moon Festival, wears a Kimono, drinks tea with friends and enjoys the beauty of cherry blossoms. For high school setting, the traditional lunch box arrangement known as bento is always present. Indeed, these scenes signify their undying traditional practices even in the modern day of technology.

I admit that I cannot resist watching them. However, Filipino blood still reigns in my veins that I wanted to see the change of Philippine teleserye from the traditional bucket-of-tears to a much more sensible drama that shows our own traditions and promotes our own scenic places. Independent films showing the realities of Philippine society are rising and so Philippine drama needs a make-over.

A good drama does not need to have more than four-months stay by making roller coaster scenes in which when the story reaches the climax, they will add another character and built up another problem, making the denouement predictable and annoying.

As a pure and proud Filipino, I am looking forward to see themes in our soap operas that show remarkable tourist destinations with historical value. The wonder of blue sea in Batanes, the breath-taking Casaroro Falls in Negros Occidental, the captivating Biri mangroves in Samar, or even some forgotten museums and not so famous spots would be a good setting for drama series.

Let us not forget our own identity before K-pop and J-drama fully invades our country. I am not saying that watching Asian dramas will do no good, but this must be a stepping stone for us, especially teenagers, to realize that we are lagged behind in terms of nationalism and tourism. This is one way of watching Asianovelas in a wider perspective and by not just experiencing “kilig” factor.

In line with the Department of Tourism campaign, drama would be more fun in the Philippines if added with nationalism and tourism flavors.