Families of Philippines

The acclaimed and affordable series Families of the World (reviewed most recently in VL-7/11) is back, and this time it takes viewers to the Philippines, with the tried-and-true formula of showing a day-in-the-life from the point of view of two children—a boy and a girl; one rural, one urban. The familiar format stays fresh with an interesting script that manages to pack quite a bit of national culture, history, religion, and other facts into the everyday lives of typical families. Khim, 13, lives on the island of Cebu in a rural area with his extended family. Although he sleeps on the floor in his small, raised bamboo house, and cooks outside with gathered wood, Khim is also shown navigating the Internet at a local arcade, working with a microscope at school, and labeling a DVD. Shahani, 7, lives in Bulacan, north of the capital city of Manila. Although her life is definitely urban—with big malls, a computer at home, and competitions at a dancing class—she takes non-motorized transport to school, doesn't seem to have running water at home, and resides in a simply furnished cement dwelling. A winning addition to an excellent series, this is highly recommended. Aud: E, I, P. (E. Gieschen)