The problem with the recent wave of one-shot soap opera wonders on Philippine television today is that it is exactly that: one-shot. It is in this sense that their creators market upon the short attention span of the Filipino audience, thereby affecting the essence of story.

Everything about the production value of the 'fantaserye' (as they fondly called it) Marina is admirable. The costumes and locations may be considered excellent in Filipino standards. However, behind the height of the production value, characterization and story essence suffered greatly.

Basically, the story of Marina revolves around a mermaid and a beach resort. Sounds laughable? Not entirely. The writers have tried their best to insert a drama-romantic storyline that might help to pull audiences to it. Then again, the plot line falls down into the mediocre category: Anyone can guess what will happen to the story next. The storyline is all the same with all of the soap operas ever shown on TV and the only twist is that the whole thing is set in a semi-fantasy environment.

The only big thing that came out of this program is the character of Dugong, a supposed evil character named after a gentle sea creature. Because of Dugong's popularity (i think even more than the main heroes and heroines) the parent TV network had again blown the character into epic-proportions.

It is still a big mystery why Filipino screen writers cannot make up a story which try to touch the hearts of ordinary persons? Imported TV shows like NYPD Blue or Chicago Hope can be converted into local shows, and I'm sure these programs will be seminal and unforgettable. It is high time for a higher audience mindset in the Philippines. It is exactly for this reason why local movies are easily bombed by international releases.

It is sad to say that Dugong and the fantaserye Marina will suffer the fate of her Philippine TV counterparts: a fad which will soon be forgotten in due time.

The sea adventure subgenre features narratives set primarily on the sea or other bodies of water. Sea adventures often revolve around characters who embark on journeys, explorations, or quests involving ships, boats and capture the challenges, dangers, and discoveries that come with life at sea.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The fantasy genre features imaginative and often magical worlds, characters, and events. It explores realms beyond the boundaries of reality, featuring elements such as magic, mythical creatures, supernatural powers, and fantastical settings. These stories can take place in entirely fictional worlds or blend fantastical elements with real-world settings.

Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

A Filipino fantasy series centered around a cursed girl whose curse transforms her into a mermaid.

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Marina

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