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showcase Philippines to foreign audiences in Prime Video series

By nAthAlie tomAdA Philstar.com

KIM Chiu and Jake Ejercito turn the spotlight on Filipino fashion and Manila as a destination in their Prime Video series, “Fit Check: Confessions of an Ukay Queen.”

Produced by ABS-CBN

Entertainment and Dreamscape

Entertainment, the Amazon Original romantic-comedy/ drama is now streaming in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Worth noting is how Manila and its old charm — not the usual grime and grittiness — become a character of its own in this series.

“I’m very happy and very thankful of course, we’re able to show the Philippines in other countries. I think this is also going to be the start of a great partnership between Dreamscape and Prime Video,” Kim told The STAR in a one-onone chat recently.

“And of course, ‘pag ikaw nanonood ka ng mga pelikula ng mga banyaga, mga foreigner, parang gusto mo rin pumunta sa Italy, US, Los Angeles… You want to feel (what it’s like to be there). And we want the same experience for our viewers. We want to make them feel na kahit hindi sila Filipino, maganda sa Pilipinas.

According to Jake, the production was able to film at the Manila Central Post Office, one of the capital city’s iconic heritage landmarks, before it was severely damaged by fire last May. They also shot in Quiapo and at the Manila Hotel.

“Different parts of Manila really,” he added.

But why Manila?

“Because Manila, para siyang New York or the U.S., na andun lahat ng opportunities… Parang dun mo mabubuo yung dreams mo ‘pag sumabak ka sa Manila,” said Kim. She also said that they’re very proud of the shots. Clearly, she added, they were well-prepared for. Even during the taping period itself, they couldn’t help but be impressed by the “beauty of Manila.” The series could help bring in tourism.

Sa location namin, pinakita talaga namin ang ganda ng Manila. So, pagkapanood nito ng buong mundo, parang uy, ganyan pala sa Manila, Philippines, maka-visit nga,” Kim said.

Besides the setting, “Fit Check” offers a glimpse into the fashion industry in the country.

ABS-CBN content development head Nathaniel Arciaga said, “It’s showcasing Filipino culture kind of series and we zeroed in on fashion because everybody loves fashion. But also with the angle of ukay because ukay is something that’s distinctly Filipino.”

“In fact, we have to explain to the Amazon bosses — we talked to the bosses in the U.S. and Singapore — the concept of ukay, which is to rummage… thrifting. They were very interested, they thought, wow, that’s so interesting because (of the idea) yung mga tinapon ng ibang tao, napapakinabangan pa ng iba

“And for me, personally, it speaks to the repurposing and redirection of things that have been thrown away, and finding new purpose for them. That’s what we latched on as a theme and a concept.”

In “Fit Check,” Kim plays