Earl Angelo D.

Acuña BAB-1B
Science, Technology and Society

A Reaction Paper on Buhos: An Environment Awareness Documentary

The documentary started with a scene of a family in a picnic near a waterfall whereas the
two children went running and one of them throws a plastic wrapper. For most people, it is just a
small piece of trash and nothing to worry about but it is the narrative of the documentary Buhos,
giving emphasis on what we thought as just small things but in reality, it tolls a great deal in our
environment and to our planet in general.

Former Senator Loren Legarda which prides the Climate Change Act of 2009 and took an
initiative in the form of Luntiang Pilipinas which conducts tree planting project, is the presenter
of 'Buhos' which sets it on the lighter mood of informing and raising awareness among the
people as compared to the likes of the GMA 7's docu 'Signos' that resort on giving an alarming
feel. The approach of Legarda was complemented by soft music scores accompanied by footages
that describes the points being unveiled. This approach can be translated as an encouragement
on the part of the viewers to make something for the benefit of protecting and slowing down the
effect of human abuse on the environment.

As with many environment centric documentaries, the formula was to explain the cause
and effect of climate change and/or global warming together with the definition of it. Also
included are the things that we can do to curb the things that cause damages to our surroundings.
In this particular docu, it can be observed that it highlighted the importance of plants and
planting trees which can be linked to Luntiang Pilipinas project of Legarda.

Self-sacrifice prevailed as the theme in the latter part which resonate the idea that even
though we are living in the modern times and new technologies and lifestyle became part of our
life which cannot be changed, we must at least do something to minimize its impact citing
examples like becoming a wiser consumer, saving gasoline and electricity and to recycle. Buhos
ended with facts and figures of the effects of climate change and it leaves a message that "the
time to act is now".

Given the sea of documentaries and films that has the main goal of informing the general
public about the shortcomings of our planet due to human careless acts, Buhos differentiate itself
Earl Angelo D. Acuña BAB-1B
Science, Technology and Society

with a soft approach to educate rather than a chilling horror of our environment revenge, this
may not be the most effective technique but surely it will not overwhelm and cause panic to the
general public.

One thing is for sure, our planet is one of its kind (at least for now but not until a
habitable planet is discovered) thus the need to take extra care and having a responsible lifestyle
to sustain this sole planet that we live on. As said in the documentary, we are in a critical time,
our planet is in great danger, surely the damage has been done but the idea is we still have the
chance to change the seemingly dark fate of the earth.

It is easier to say than to actually do, but if we make gradual changes, we can be able to
reduce or curb our contribution to the deterioration of the resources and environment.