Bitag
| Bitag | |
|---|---|
| File:Bitag logo new.jpg Hindi ito drama! Di tulad ng iba! | |
| Created by | Ben Tulfo |
| Starring | Ben Tulfo |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Production | |
| Running time | 1 hr |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC, IBC, UNTV-37 |
| Release | September 14, 2002 – present |
Bitag (Trap in Filipino) is an investigative program hosted by Ben Tulfo that originally aired on television network Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 14, 2002 before moving the following year to its present TV network Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC). During its launch, Ben described it as an investigative show like no other that strays away from the "packaged" aggressive image that the Tulfo clan is known for by adopting a more cut-throat, in-your-face approach. These unique elements earned the show rave reviews and a large cult following despite its limited exposure. Its success also spawned a recap show that airs during weekdays on UNTV-37.
Format
An episode usually contains 3 different cases set to stock film music and industrial sound effects sardonically narrated by Ben before wrapping it up with an educational segment sponsored by PAGCOR. Bitag operates semi-autonomously, conducting reconnaissance and surveillance and deploys their own agents as undercovers. When enough intelligence is gathered, Ben coordinates with the local authorities to plan the manner of arrest and rides with them, bringing along a camera crew to document the entire procedure and its aftermath.
The program's segments are classified according to their nature:
- Operations, which document actual Bitag operations in coordination with law enforcement elements.
- Updates, or follow-up reports on the status of successful Bitag operations.
- "Kilos Pronto" Segments, which showcase immediate action or assistance on complaints or concerns.
- "Akto" Segments, usually depicting irregularities or "questionable" situations unexpectedly encountered by Bitag (caught in the act)
Bahala si Bitag
In 2004, UNTV-37 provided Ben with his own daily morning show, Bahala si Bitag (taking its name from his bi-weekly newspaper column of the same name) where Ben fields questions and complaints from callers in addition to showing re-runs of cases for the purpose of alerting the public.
BST went through a series of changes lately in conjunction with their tagline of "continuous change for the better", incorporating their Kilos Pronto segment (from Bitag) into their show as a live help line and updated the stale set with a more modern look - most noticeably their use of a Plasma TV backdrop.
Unique elements
Although the concept of investigative and public service programs are hardly new on local television, there are still differences between the show and most of its rivals. While their peers are restricted entirely to the confines of their studio/shooting location or function exclusively as "hosts", Ben considers himself as an "investigator" (not a media personality), and is on the field most of the time while still regarding his prey with the same unabashed contempt, regardless of proximity. Most importantly, the show doesn't discriminate and has handled cases both small and large and is nonchalant with regards to the background of the felons they pursue - be it the child of a network executive, high-ranking police officers, government institutions, city mayors, foreigners, relatives of influential entities or huge crime syndicates - as host Ben Tulfo always says, "Walang sinasanto't walang sinisino ang patibong ng Bitag!" (Bitag's trap recognizes and discriminates no one!)
The Host
Perhaps the show's main draw is its host (and also producer and director) Ben Tulfo who subscribes to the adage "it takes a wolf to catch a wolf" which, more often that not, leads to precarious situations that he immerses himself with gusto. Each case, Ben finds himself getting in the face of his subjects, be it ordinary suspects or policemen - sparring verbally (often laced with profanity) and at times, physically. Being the show's producer as well, he prefers an approach and presentation that lets the viewers see the true face of reality, no matter how grim or disturbing it is - the lack of a formal script means no dramatizations or re-enactments, as said by the show's tagline, "Hindi ito drama, di tulad ng iba!", and guarantees audiences of raw, documented footage of events as they happened.
Controversy
As a result of his brazenfaced exploits, Ben has received generous praise from supporters who find his brand of crusader's zeal efficient when dealing with the scourges of society, and also jeers from those who consider his behavior repulsive and inappropriate for a media personality. His abovementioned recklessness has also led to several tension-filled incidents that range from minor physical confrontations to an actual firearm being pointed at him and his staff, prompting many to speculate if he will ever tone down his approach in the interest of his own public image and safety. These gripes are regularly brought up by furious viewers in his radio program, Bahala si Bitag, to which Ben contends that as long as his actions are for the greater good, he will continue to press on with his methods regardless.
Principles
Tulfo's guiding principles are plain and simple, which he iterates at the end of the program:
Makikita ang katotohanan kung sumbungan ang pag-uusapan sa Bitag. Ang pagtitiwala'y nakakamit dahil sa resulta - GAWA, HINDI NGAWA. Dito nakakamit ang salitang RESPETO. If you're talking about complaints and public service, Bitag addresses and reveals the truth and reality. Results earn you trust - walk the walk, not talk the talk. Not whining on the problem, just acting upon the solution. It is through this that you earn respect.
Catchphrases
Tulfo also has innovated a series of catchphrases/terminologies through the show namely:
- Ang bawat kasamaan, may hangganan, at may katapat na patibong, "Every evil deed has an end, and its corresponding trap", usually said during the planning phase of operations.
- Ayaw magtrabaho ng patas, "doesn't want to work fairly", usually refers to swindlers or goons (referred to as Dorobo below) who make a living forcibly extorting other people's hard-earned money.
- Butangero, physically abusive, specifically pertaining to parents or guardians towards their children.
- Dorobo, a swindler or thief, specifically one who uses force or authority for monetary gain.
- Dupang, greedily cunning in an extreme sense, and usually, along with Dorobo, operates in a systematic manner, or modus (Tulfo's term for modus operandi).
- Gustong mabuhay sa pawis ng iba, "living on other people's sweat", which is a more direct variation of ayaw magtrabaho ng patas.
- Ipot sa Bunbunan, literally meaning "bird droppings on the fontanelle", it figuratively refers to a figure of authority who has either no knowledge or simply tolerates the illegal activities of his subordinates under the guise of feigned innocence, with which Tulfo addresses the concerned authority figure after falling into his tricky line of questioning.
- Kahit gaano mo pa takpan, lalabas at lalabas din ang baho, "no matter how you cover it, the stench will eventually come out" used when someone tries to cover up a wrongdoing.
- Kaya naming isagawa ang lengguwahe sa mundong ginagalawan ng..., "We can do and speak the language of the world in which they move", which epitomizes BITAG's signature "fight fire with fire" approach in dealing with suspects, particularly those eliciting fear on their victims (like Butangeros or Dorobos) - Ben Tulfo believes in the adage that "a terrifying person would only listen, understand and learn if you speak to him in his language - terror."
- Kulukoy, an "imbecile" in Filipino; his general term for an individual that has catched his ire.
- Pasintabi na lang sa mahihina ang sikmura, literally "Our apologies for those with weak guts", his usual warning for squeamish viewers before watching segments tackling foodstuff irregularities.
- Napitikan, a colloquial term for "being candidly caught" or informed and usually refers to the clandestine action of a concealed camera recording "sensitive" materials.
- Pinendeho, treacherously cheated or fooled; refers to the vile act of a subordinate's betrayal of his superior's trust.
- Putim, the Filipino words "puti" (white) and "itim" (black) joined together and used by Ben to eschew the term "gray area".
- Putok sa Buho, generally pertains to agents of corruption which he promptly refers to as "rotten apples" (literally "an abnormal growth").
- Timbre, sounding the alarms; used whenever an operation fails after a crooked cop (usually within the team) alerts the targets of the impending operation or which he more commonly refers to as Natunugan (made heard to).
- Tutuldukan na ang maliligayang araw, meaning "to put a period (.) on their happy days", or to end the reign of unlawful elements.
Taglines
- "Pilit na ginagaya. Pilit na pinepeke. Walang katapat." (Always imitated. Incessantly faked. Never equaled.)
- "Hindi namin kinukuwento kung hindi namin dokumentado!" (We don't tell stories unless we have it documented.)"
- "Hindi ito drama, di tulad ng iba!" ("This is not dramatized, like the rest!")
- "The REAL Reality TV!"
Awards
Bitag swept the Best Public Service Program category in the 2005 Star Awards for Television, winning Best Program and Best Host for Ben Tulfo. [1]
Episodes
Characters
Trivia
- Bitag was originally pitched to other TV networks but an unidentified "Tulfo" was opposed to it [2]
- For safety reasons, the Bitag strike force is fully-armed (including Tulfo) and comprised of well-trained security personnel. They are also allowed to carry their firearms in airplanes and vessels provided they surrender it prior to departure. However, the team still makes it a point to request assistance from the local authorities when dwelling in unfamiliar territory in accordance with the law.
- A rival network, ABS-CBN, launched an investigative show of their own earlier this year called XXX that airs at the same timeslot. Ex-Bitag operatives comprise most of its staff and the show's title lampoons the suffix "X-treme" in Bitag.
- In a surprising move, ABS-CBN permitted Erwin Tulfo, a contracted but underused employee, to join forces with his brother Ben to form Bahala sina Ben at Erwin and was allowed to use the rights to the Mission X motif in his segment. The pairing didn't last long and Erwin left the show to team up with his other brothers' Ramon and Raffy in the show Isumbong mo sa Tulfo Brothers on RPN-9. The latter aired its final episode on August 12, 2006 [3]