Fame and Power

Fame. Popularity.

Waw. Surely everyone's dream. Who doesn't want to be known anyway? Fame is not only achieved with your face flashing on the television screens. It can be depicted on many other "avenues". Like a sibling trying his best to get his parents attention. To be the family's favorite. In a way, he yearns for fame. In a classroom, wherein a certain student always recites at class. It is not only because she knows the answer, but maybe because she wants to be recognized as not another face in the crowd. In a team or a club, wherein someone tries his best so that he will be praised. AND, can also be in the world of blogs. Wherein everyone bloghops and visit other sites to establish friendship with other people. To be KNOWN by other people.

All for fame. Fame is good.

Our NSTP class this afternoon talked about the INFLUENCE of MEDIA. The INFLUENTIAL list now goes on like this:

1. Media
2. Peers
3. Family
4. School

It's no wonder, "artista" search and pageants are attracing many teeners nowadays. The Showbiz aura is sipping in our culture. In our blood. It has sweeped off the world of politics. What's next?

If the traditional Nationalist Economist Perspective is Wealth = Power, it is now FAME = Wealth + Power.

Fame is good. But basing it on the Philippine context, it only highlights the major issue of CRAB MENTALITY among Filipinos. Everyone wants their piece on the cake. But can they just have a bite and at least leave some for others.

Fame is good. But how you use it defies its essence. Like a lightened match perhaps. You can either put the flame on a candle to light the dark. Or build a fire just to watch the appalled faces of the victims.

Fame is good. But most of the times, it can be quite irritating.

PACQUIAO vs MORALES

Yeah. The much-awaited bout. I heard some Filipinos were hoping that Pacquiao would lose. Why? Crab mentality? Maybe yes, maybe no. Maybe because they are tired of seeing his face on every advertisement there is on TV. I once joked that I wish he would lose. So that, there would be lesser Pacquiao pictures in every nook and cranny.

But, if we would dig down to the nitty-gritty of the said issue, it is the Filipino race that was upheld in his victory over Morales. Pacquiao is fighting for our country. It may sound very cliche-ish and "bakya", but it is true. He gets the sympathy of the mass.

People blabbed about teaching him a lesson for it seems that his inflated head grows larger with every advertisement he endorses. But then again, to highlight the issue, is it really him?

I think not.

Looking through a larger lens, we can see the bold power of MEDIA behind everything. The Media can manipulate EVERYTHING. Politics, society, norms... The media has the power. The media can MAKE or BREAK you. Because it controls FAME.

The Media is very powerful. It is good. But like fame, it must be put to GOOD use. As mere citizens of the community, the least we can do is STAND UP for our beliefs. Societal norms are given to act as GUIDE. They are GUIDES, and are NOTHING but guides.

We are measured through our INTRINSIC values and not according to norms set by whoever. We CONTROL our lives.

We, afterall, are the ones more powerful than anything else.