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Monday, October 5, 2015

Of debates on ‘kababawan’, ‘kayo na matalino’, and all-around Pinoy apathy

October 3, 2015
by rsurtida
There’s a perverse type of pleasure people with a lot of time in their hands derive with simply prowling the endless frontiers of cyberspace in search of “worthy” causes as a platform to give people a piece of their valuable opinions on things. Or for some, just grabbing the popcorn and soda to simply sit back and watch an online fray like any other reality TV spectator; flaming/trolling every once in a while to keep the game going.
Just take a look at any forum, web groups, and online comments on any write up and one can immediately see a treasure trove of verbal sparring matches, arguments, and pissing contests that range from the stupidest, outlandish premises to brilliant, well-thought out expositions that can sometimes be a lot more elucidating than the main write-up that the argument sprung from.
pinoy_showbiz_fans
Of late, those types of debates attracted the usual crop of first-time visitors to GRP because of the controversial topics that the writers have presented. As always, when the topic is centered around media and showbusiness—a sensitive spot for most Pinoys that can only be likened to stirring a hive of angry wasps—the predictable knee-jerk reaction of the majority who read them is to cry foul at the perceived slight on their right to enjoy what they want to enjoy.
Valid reactions, of course. One simply has to put himself in that situation and imagine being told by someone that what he likes is utter crap. But therein lies the difference between liking crap and knowing it is crap and liking crap and insisting it is anything but. And the point of the articles wasn’t even about that kind of debate. Sure, examples had to be given, generalizations to be thrown, but at the end of it, the bigger picture is that the discussions were never even about the specific shows that the people were so busy defending to death: But at the type of activities where Pinoys invest time, attention, and even outrage.
Of course everyone’s for a chance to de-stress or have the freedom to enjoy whatever piece of escapist fare one has at his disposal for a brief respite from the abysmal reality that is Da Pilipinas. People need to do that to keep their sanity, and no one is questioning that basic right. The length of time and effort to sustain the escapism, however, is where things get a little dubious. Everything else takes a backseat to the escape, and not unlike a junkie who’s in a constant doped up condition, everything is suddenly a-ok even when things around is anything but.
Several comments on the articles were downright fatalistic and defeatist that they highlighted the points raised by the very authors they were attacking. Like how giving attention to the everyday problems and tribulations the average Juan is facing would ultimately be useless because, well, that’s how things are. But again, as what Ilda has written:
“The good news is, if Filipinos work together towards these common goals, they will find the solution to their problems sooner rather than later.”
One can’t help but compare that type of resolve to the overwhelming capacity of a group sharing one goal like the recent INC movement that brought the administration to its knees because of an organized effort to mobilize its members. But most important of all, is that these were people who shared a single purpose and righteous indignation to whatever cause they believed.
Now translate that very same awareness and outrage to the 25M tweets and impassioned supporters of a love team and aim that type of statistic to the very evils we complain about day in and day out, then maybe we could get somewhere.
It comes down to a simple question: What can we do to rouse the very same passions we have for our favorite showbiz pastimes to elevate ourselves to a better life by being aware and being proactive about our roles in society?

rsurtida

Worker in a private sector hive.

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