Celebrities and Scandals

The recent celebrity scandals (involving sex videos) have put most of us Filipinos in a sort of frenzied roust – perhaps even those in some parts of the world who happen to know these celebrities. Well, in some countries, this is really not such a big deal. It’s quite ordinary for some celebrities to be involved in scandals in various forms – sex videos just one of them. Even the late King of Pop was not exempt - may he rest in peace (he will be greatly missed).

The thing is, we Filipinos are generally a conservative lot. Although we may have been exposed to liberal ways, there will always be a part of us that’s conventional. In many ways, it’s an advantage, yet in some ways it’s not. For instance, it’s an advantage because being conservative enables us to guard our dignity, honor, and integrity which are a very important part of us. On the other hand, it is a disadvantage because we would tend to linger on a scandal longer than necessary. I mean, I find it ridiculous that we would talk about it for days. We tend to pass our judgment without really knowing the person or persons well.

Generally, most people anywhere in the world would have the same reaction. People talk about other people all the time, especially those involved in scandals or controversies. But Filipinos, I observed, based on what I see and hear on television and my interactions with others, are quite ‘lookers’ of the past. I observed that it’s hard for them to move on and let go of what was. I don’t know if this is one reason why we are where we are now, economically and politically. Well, these are just my thoughts and observations. One thing is clear for me, though, we are fighters… Now, back to celebrities and controversies.

My point is, we do admire celebrities (I do too, but I’m a bit anti-social). We laugh with them, we cry with them and we loathe them, perhaps, whenever they do something foolish. It’s like we know them so well from the roles they play and from their personality profiles on showbiz news. But are they really who we believe they are? Actually, I admire Katrina Halili’s resolve to fight back no matter what. But I’m annoyed at her at the same time for blaming it all on Hayden Kho. I believe it takes two to tango.

Surprisingly, I approve of Maricar Reyes' choosing to be quiet and calm (I would suppose she is) amid the controversy. She probably figured if she reacted, it would just fuel up the issue all the more. May be it was her, may be it was not. She never admitted it, I think. It makes some wonder why and say she’s wild. Well, her reaction or lack of just goes to show she didn’t care what other people think. May be she knows herself well, her limits, and where she stands. She is after all, responsible for her actions. I would say she carried herself well. Or maybe she’s keeping it all inside, waiting for the right opportunity to tell her story. Whatever it is, I would say she’s a professional (undertones or without). I give her that.