iGMA: GMA-7 airs Planet: Philippines on Sunday

After the success of the documentary Signos, Richard Gutierrez is back in this year's GMA News and Public Affairs environmental documentary titled Planet: Philippines. Considered to be one of the biggest environmental projects of 2009, Planet: Philippines will take viewers on a grand and awesome journey into the country's final wilderness sites. Get to witness the best-kept secrets of the natural world and observe the amazing ecosystems that thrive in this archipelago. Hailed by scientists as a mega biodiversity haven, the Philippines is home to thousands of plant and animal species which can be found nowhere else on Earth. Planet: Philippines travels around Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to examine the diverse Philippine landscape, seascape, and underground terrain. Old growth forests with century-old trees serve as habitats to unique and endangered wildlife. Some rainforest species are so rare that footage of their behavior is sought after all over the world. Planet: Philippines documented several of these rare species, including a bird which only lives on one Visayan island. The documentary takes viewers deep underwater to film the lives of fascinating marine species--from sea grass dwellers, to coral inhabitants, to the mighty pelagic species of sharks and manta rays. It also examines the most unexplored places on Earth: caves. Even in these extreme environments, living beings thrive, proving that in every facet, our world is a paradise that cradles life. But while the Philippines boasts of many marvels, it is also considered one of the hottest of so-called "biodiversity hotspots," areas in the world where species decline and habitat loss are at alarming levels. A report from the World Wide Fund for Nature, Zoological Society of London and Global Footprint Network also cites that the Philippines' ecological footprint or impact on the environment is 50-100% more than its annual biocapacity or its ability to regenerate resources. The documentary aims to bring these realities to the fore by showing what is at stake--a land blessed with natural resources that are ever astounding and yet diminishing. Shot in high definition and produced using world-class nature filmmaking techniques, Planet: Philippines is an impressive compilation of moving images showcasing the country's finest treasures. An experienced team of producers, camera crew and researchers spent months studying each terrain to film every nook and cranny of our small yet amazing piece of the planet. Weeks of waiting on wildlife and being battered by the elements deliver what is perhaps one of the most thought-provoking and comprehensive environmental reports to be seen on Philippine television. Planet: Philippines.points to the connections between human activities and the state of the environment, and provides practical solutions on how we can help save what is left. It is an important, must-see television event airing this Sunday, September 6, on GMA-7's SNBO timeslot.- GMA Network, iGMA