What Philippine show business lacks

Like a frame of a movie, the local entertainment industry, generally, is apparently full—fun and laughter, parties and socials all over, projects in all stages, fame and fortune, actions, not necessarily victories but downfalls as well and everything in between.

Unlike a movie, though, the social field of the show business community lacks if not falls short of a strong commitment to its goals and aspirations of bringing—in various levels and degrees—truth, honesty, transparency and objectivity not only to oneself but more so, to the public.

It is because the public deserves to know better as the audience (read: market) of their products and artefacts as conduits to the development of an individual person, in particular, through valuable and responsible influences and lessons to better life, and of the nation, in general.

Awards, for instance, abound in the scene with confusing and ambiguous orientations if not directions that usually end up on personal and promotional motives.

Everything seems anchored on consumerism.

Awards, first and foremost, must enlighten the public no matter how indifferent and gullible they might be and the recipient itself, about the ideals and purposes of the projects, institutions and persons being awarded to serve as models.

Critical thinking if not dissent must also be encouraged without biases and reservations.

As a writer, how many times have I been warned not to rock the boat or comment negatively on my subjects or any relevant issues or else my world gets smaller and opportunities won’t knock at my door.

The line of media language in entertainment journalism must also be toed otherwise multimedia outlets won’t entertain them precisely because they violate the norm that entertaining stories

Words like “lipunan (society)” or “naghaharing-uri (ruling class)” in the vernacular—directly translated in English—are strange if not “eyebrow arching” or square pegs in round holes even given the right meanings and contexts.

In the Filipino showbiz writeup, the words are considered “heavy” or “incomprehensible.”

Yet in the colonial English language, terms like social or established order are commonly used.

Double standard?  

Entertainment language must be light as dictated by the powers-that-bee because as they say entertainment beat is lightweight and only for diversion.

Bull…

***

While Barangay Matinik in Lopez, Quezon is still recovering from the erosion it recently experienced, one of the members of the Villasanta clan in the town has shared his relief efforts to the victims of the landslide.

Arch. Isidro “Sid” Villasanta donated food items, bottled water and other daily necessities to the hapless residents of the village.   

Incidentally, Arch. Villasanta is the President of the 2024 Villasanta Clan Reunion to be held on December 30, 2024 at Mom’s Backyard in Lopez, Quezon while this writer is the Vice-President of the org.