AI-generated videos portraying the Sierra Madre mountain range as a guardian shielding the Philippines from recent typhoons have gone viral, sparking a mix of amusement and concern online.
The videos, which began circulating on social media amid typhoons Tino and Uwan’s devastating impact across several regions, revived public discourse about the Sierra Madre, often dubbed the country’s “natural shield” against Pacific typhoons.
Clips of this theme first appeared on Facebook and TikTok before spreading to other platforms.
In the videos, the Sierra Madre is personified as a woman draped in forest greenery, while the typhoons, particularly Uwan, was depicted as a monstrous entity with a thunderous voice. The two are shown in dramatic confrontations, with Sierra Madre defending her people and the calamities boasted of their strength while accusing her of not being protected by those she safeguards.
One of the most popular clips has amassed over seven million views and more than 35,000 shares on Facebook.
Online reactions to the videos have been divided with some users praising the sentiment of protecting Sierra Madre, while others mocked the dramatized portrayals, calling them “cringey” and even making parody content out of it.
Several commenters also voiced concern about the environmental impact of AI-generated content, noting the irony of using energy-intensive technology to advocate for nature.
“They just killed 1,559 trees on Sierra Madre just for that video,” one comment on X read.
“Ironic how much longer lasting damage this AI video does to the environment than the storm itself,” a user wrote.
“The irony of using AI to advocate for nature, when AI literally harms nature,” another added.
Still, some netizens defended the videos, saying that their popularity helps spread awareness about the importance of preserving the Sierra Madre.
“Well maraming engagements ang ganyan. If that could work para mas mahighlight not to destroy Sierra Madre, then we could take it,” an X user pointed out.
As discussions surrounding the mountain range intensified, weather experts and agencies stepped in to clarify misconceptions about Sierra Madre’s role as a “protector” against typhoons.
“Many folks are posting misinformation about the Sierra Madre Mountains in the Philippines. Let me set the record straight: The Sierra Madre chain weakens typhoons after they make landfall on the east coast of Luzon. These mountains do not protect the east coast of Luzon, which regularly experiences some of the strongest tropical cyclone impacts in the world,” explained storm chaser Josh Morgerman.
Weather presenter “Kuya” Kim Atienza also offered a scientific explanation.
“Ayon sa DOST, maaaring makatulong ang Sierra Madre Mountain Range bilang natural na panangga na bahagyang nagpapahina o nagpapabagal sa lakas ng hangin ng mga bagyo, lalo na sa hilagang-silangan ng Luzon. Pero ayon sa mga eksperto, hindi ito nagbibigay ng kumpletong proteksyon laban sa matinding epekto ng malalakas na unos,” Atienza wrote on Facebook.
“Batay sa pag-aaral nina Dr. Gerry Bagtasa at Dr. Bernard Alan Racoma noong 2023 na inilathala sa Philippine Journal of Science, mas malaki pa rin ang pinsalang dulot ng matitinding pag-ulan at pagbaha kaysa sa mismong malalakas na hangin ng bagyo. Kaya kahit may epekto ang Sierra Madre sa pagpapahina ng bagyo, hindi nito napipigilan ang malawakang pagbaha at landslide na dulot ng extreme rainfall,” he added.
