Who knew these endearing creatures could also be inspiring?
I grew up watching National Geographic documentaries. I remember it ran for some time on ABS-CBN’s afternoon block every Saturday when I was in grade school (after Coney Reyes on Camera—God, I feel old!). In high school, I happily welcomed more choices when we subscribed to cable TV. When our long-time cable TV provider ceased carrying NatGeo channels, we knew it was time to cease subscribing as well.
Good thing Disney+ carries NatGeo, which continues to produce some of the most spellbinding documentaries on nature, rivaled only by the equally enthralling BBC Earth. One of my favorites is the Secrets series which previously followed whales (2021, narrated by Sigourney Weaver) and elephants (2023, narrated by Natalie Portman).
On the eve of Earth Day, April 21, National Geographic premiered a new installment on Disney+, one that I eagerly anticipated because it follows one of my favorite creatures: penguins.
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Produced by the legendary James Cameron, hosted by award-winning National Geographic explorer Bertie Gregory, and narrated by Blake Lively, Secrets of the Penguins is breathtaking. At times it is also heartbreaking as it looks into the extraordinary challenges endured by penguins. The three-part series took two years to film across three continents.
I know nature documentaries don’t get as much love as dramas or reality shows, so here’s a little something to convince you to give them a try, starting with five reasons why you should watch Secrets of the Penguins.
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1. You’ll know more about penguins and the impact we have on the planet.
Being a NatGeo documentary, it’s a given that Secrets of the Penguins is a treasure trove of information on mother nature. Through Bertie Gregory’s lens and engaging hosting, it gives us an up close look into these fascinating creatures, all of which have to learn to adapt to an increasingly warming world.
The documentary followed several species, among which are the gentoo, Galápagos, magellanic, rockhopper, macaroni, African, and of course, the majestic emperor penguins. I’ve always adored penguins and read up on them when something new pops up. After watching Secrets of the Penguins, though, I felt like I’ve become a true blue penguin expert.
I’ve learned that interspecies mating is possible (more on this in item #4), and that penguins are so hardy they can thrive even in the desert!
For non-penguin geeks, however, the most captivating species would have to be the emperor penguins of Antarctica. ICYDK, male emperor penguins spend two months incubating their eggs balanced precariously atop their webbed feet and shielded from the cold by a flap of their abdominal skin that forms a “brood pouch.”
Females, on the other hand, make the long and often perilous journey to the ocean to hunt for her family. Upon her return, one more challenge awaits: transferring the egg from dad’s feet to mom’s in under a minute, because a second longer puts the unhatched chick at risk from the blistering cold.
I can go on and on about fun (and times distressing) penguin facts, but why would I if it’s much better for you to find out on your own by watching the series.
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2. It is surprisingly packed with life lessons.
Penguins are known for their cuteness but they’re so much more than that. All three episodes highlight the intelligence, resilience, and bravery of these amazing creatures who inhabit some of the most inhospitable places on earth.
The emperors show us the power of working together to overcome even the most formidable of challenges, like minus-50 degree storms in the heart of Antarctica and fierce leopard seals waiting in the shallows. They also impart to us a valuable lesson in this age of overconsumption: to take only what one needs.
The Galápagos penguins, which are the only equatorial penguins, show us that learning how to adapt ensures a species’ survival amid constant man-made threats such as oil spills and overfishing.
Over in South Africa, African penguins show us that with a little bit of creativity and lots of courage, we can beat the odds, and in the penguins’ case this includes extreme desert heat and predators like wily jackals.
All penguin species, despite learning how to innovate in the face of climate change, benefit from wisdom passed down from one generation to the next. This, too, we can take away something from. Elders’ wisdom, coupled with our own, culled from our life experiences, could make us all the wiser.
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3. The cinematography is out of this world.
Despite being only 30 years old and having been active in the business for only a decade (as opposed to his older peers), Bertie Gregory has already established himself as among the best nature documentarians. Proof of which are a slew of awards, including two daytime Emmys and a BAFTA on top of two acclaimed shows on Disney+, Animals Up Close and Epic Adventures, both of which I also highly recommend.
Secrets of the Penguins is yet another proof of Bertie’s talent not only in cinematography but also in storytelling. The series takes us from breathtaking Antarctica, with its snow capped peaks and icy wilderness, to sultry South Africa, Argentina, and the Galápagos islands, with their wild coastlines and towering cliffs. Each frame is a postcard, and every frame tells a story.
Bertie’s affable voice adds to the series’ charm. Even in the few brutal moments, his genuine love for animals and respect for the circle of life shines through his kindly narration. Lively’s voice over was good, but nothing stellar. The series would have been perfectly fine with just Bertie doing everything.
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4. It will take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions—in a good way.
Who says only TV dramas could make you feel all kinds of feels? Secrets of the Penguins spans every genre imaginable, from family drama to romance, suspense to comedy. Every episode was a roller coaster ride through different emotions.
The second episode, which follows an African penguin as he makes his daily waddle home to a secret cove in suburban Cape Town, is no different from a thriller. Will he get hit by a bus? Will a stray dog chase him? I let out an audible sigh of relief (mid-flight to Cebu!) when he made it in one piece to his partner and young chick who had been waiting for his return.
The last episode, which follows the love story of a female rockhopper and a male macaroni, made me giggle like I was watching a romcom flick. I wish their rockaroni chicks, a rarity in the penguin world, are doing okay.
Also in the last episode, gentoo penguins risking their lives to get to the safety of the open ocean for a better catch made my heart ache from the suspense. Will they make it past the scary leopard seal? Which will they choose—settling in the relative safety of the ocean, or going back to feed their chicks but risk facing their powerful nemesis again? The stakes are always high for these little penguins and you can’t help but root for them.
The most emotionally charged episode (and the best), however, would have to be the first. Penguins have it hard, but none have it harder than Antarctica’s emperors. Many of us are familiar with the harsh environment they must navigate, thanks to films like Happy Feet and March of the Penguins. But Secrets of the Penguins introduces us to a most unexpected little hero who has the biggest heart and the most unshakeable courage. I won’t spoil, because the tiny chick’s journey is the heart of the series and its most unforgettable storyline. He won my heart; he will most certainly win yours, too.
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5. It has penguins galore.
If you need any more convincing, I’m pretty sure that telling you how Secrets of the Penguins has an overload of penguins would be enough reason for you to give the series a try. It’s three episodes and 134 minutes of adorable and gigil-worthy penguins who will make you smile, laugh, and maybe cry a little—but even the tears are worth it. The series is that beautiful.
Secrets of the Penguins is now streaming on Disney+. Watch the trailer here:
