A convergence of infatuation with Hollywood's movies and creeping culture of corruption, which seeds were sown by the Marcos dictatorship, have personified the moral degradation of Filipinos. Star-struck mentality swept the rich and famous, the political elite and all levels of society. It began when the government itself allowed the construction of the eventually ghost-haunted Manila Film Center where explicit and sex-oriented foreign films uncensored by then Board of Censors were exhibited to record-breaking crowds.
In due time, local film producers followed suit by producing movies where bare skins were the primary attraction rather than exceptional story lines. Thus, the shy and demure Maria Clara-type film stars were replaced by daring and baring sexy bombshells whose allure and exploits later on extended beyond the silver screen into real life.
In a post-Marcos real life drama, the nation was gripped with amusing or critical interest when the youngest daughter of the country's first lady president became a movie star where her films found moviegoers' acceptance. Later on, the nation was greatly shocked when she bore a son out of wedlock with a movie actor, which improper conduct was the more exceeded by her cohabitation with another married actor.
This dalliance was concluded in a highly scandalous and embarrassing washing of dirty linens before the prying eyes of national tri-media. Life is said to be stranger than fiction as played by her uncle who dumped a legal wife in favor of a strikingly beauteous film star fresh from a seven years living-in arrangement with a cage athlete. This latter incident can be considered as an example of incipient vogue of taking a trophy partner among the rich and powerful personalities, a modern tale of Helen of Troy in the present settings.
Reflections of dysfunctional inclinations of Filipinos certainly relate to the widespread deference and approval accorded to political figures whose sources of wealth were said to be highly controversial. In the not so distant past, a top provincial government official was reported to rise from being a lowly fisherman into accumulating riches under questionable circumstances. This episode seems to be replicated in many places on and on in our country as reported on and on until such time no one can imagine.
Another easy way to the top, of fame and wealth, preferred by so many seems to be the entertainment venues, viz; the movies and television. Thus, many aspirants are endlessly flocking every competition imaginable everywhere, in town, barangay or district fiestas, be they sing, dance or join beauty contests, but most important of all, television shows.
Beauty contests of national reach have enticed more participants since winning the top positions may open the door to international fame which can translate to possible movie offers. As it happened before, many beauty contests winners managed to snare rich and powerful people either as legal or illicit partners in life. When this moral decay existing nowadays with apparent tolerance of the church and state will persist or desist, no one can predict with certain accuracy but not in this writer's lifetime, so sad to admit.
0 comments:
Post a Comment