the PBB syndrome

What I found most interesting about the first batch of blog entries for the class is that while the majority claimed that they feel proud, there is substantial disparity among the reasons given for this pride in their national identity.

For some, being Filipino is closely tied up with the landscape—the beautiful beaches, beautiful countryside, and the beauty of the people themselves (especially the “chicks”). For some, it’s the skill, intelligence and ingenuity of our “exceptional” countrymen, especially those publicly acknowledged already (like the athletes in the recently held SEA games, the scientists and their breakthroughs, etc.).

There are also those who took note of other traits, those that have to do with the heart: i.e., Filipino hospitality, compassion, thoughtfulness and kindness, perseverance and goodness of heart. While I agree with the latter, I do appreciate those who were honest and introspective enough to bring up the negative traits in their country people, and probably even in themselves.

And then, there are those who are entirely unsure what to make of the question: what does it mean to you to be Filipino? They admit they don’t know, or they haven’t really thought about it before, or they don’t really give a piss. They gave vague statements like, basta, we have to be proud we’re Pinoy, but the reasons given don’t really substantiate the stand. I don’t mean to put down these people who wrote that. I give them the benefit of the doubt that they’re just really honest in their confusion and not just slacking off with the first assignment.

I guess what I reacted most negatively to were the frequent references to Pinoy Big Brother and the “nationalistic” theme song that has been aired on TV & radio over and over again—as in to the point of nausea. The first time I ranted about it my sister labeled me a "snob," so I never brought it up with her again. But this time, I just want to clear my mind of it.

I find it hard to accept that many Filipinos feel that the show is actually a representation of Pinoys in general and the condition of our lives today. I think the real values that the show has been promoting are to blatantly meddle with other people’s lives, to violate other people’s privacy, and to exercise power over others by those “privileges”. Sure, these people willingly gave up their right to privacy...for a million pesos. Money talks, talaga.

I wanted to ask my sister: Does the show make you feel like god? Or, okay, does it make you feel like a human psychology expert? Because I bet, for half of the country, it does. She might call it entertainment, but I call it "the pornography of the violation of privacy." Kaya nagbu-boom ang industriya ng chismis at tahasang pangingialam ng buhay ng may buhay sa bansa--kahit wala ka naman talagang mahihita.

Ironically, two of the participants aren’t even Filipino citizens. Lastly, the theme song of PBB is a rip off. They got the melody, the arrangement, everything from a song entitled “Chandeliers” by a UK (?) band called “The Care.” Don't believe me? See for yourself: http://media.putfile.com/pinoychandelierstayo

Sana tigilan na nila. Sana tigilan na ng mga mapagsamantalang galamay ng insitusyon ng mass media, ng mga gatekeepers ng ating lipunan, ang panggagago sa masang Pilipino.