after importing dramas from our asian neighbors taiwan and korea, filipinos are now witnessing yet another tv drama heavyweight. im talking about the j-dorama, japan's answer to our local hackneyed tv soaps. needless to say, j-doramas here are relatively unknown, except for the kapuso viewers of course, who tune in everyday to watch gokusen.

gokusen, my friends, spearheads GMA's very clever ploy of introducing the j-dorama mania to the unsuspecting pinoy couch potato. ( i for one endorse it, the main reason being the cute japboys starring in the dramas. hehe. ) by the way, for those still oblivious of the new tv hit, here's a quick synopsis...

based on the manga turned anime with the same title, gokusen chronicles the daily struggles of neophyte math teacher kumiko "yankumi" yamaguchi. unfortunately for her, she happens to be teaching the notorious section of 3d in shirokin high; a motley crew of mischievous and trouble-seeking teens. as if that wasn't hard enough, she also has to guard her deepest, darkest secret: she is the only heir to the yakuza clan of ouedo.

i've really grown to love this show not only because of its entertainment factor (not to mention the very cute and lovable shun oguri), but also because of the knowledge yankumi imparts to her students. yes, i know it sounds cheesy especially coming from a person like me. but as an aspiring teacher myself, i really find it helpful identifying with yankumi. i mean, being a teacher is no walk in the park you know. but seeing her satisfaction with the job and the fulfilllment she gets from it, more than encourages me to pursue my teaching career. i only hope i get through college, because if i don't, then this heartfelt entry would be the butt of many jokes. and yours truly would look like a jackass to the readers.

.....

and believe me, that wouldn't be pretty.