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Monday, October 24, 2005
Peñaflorida: Pinoy Big Brother
By Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida
On The Spot!
UNPRECEDENTED. Phenomenal. Sensational. These are just some of the amazing adjectives that can aptly describe the latest craze that has hit this nation. Indeed, Pinoy Big Brother is the biggest thing that has emerged on Philippine television.
I am not saying this because I am with ABS-CBN. For who can dispute the reality that the entire country is practically talking endlessly about it, day, afternoon and night, cutting across all economic classes and encompassing all age and gender groups. Why, even my 3-year old kid is singing and dancing the Big Brother theme with gusto and does not mind listening to it over and over again?
Truly, ABS-CBN's gamble has paid off. While the formula has worked in many countries, it was still a big risk, investment-wise and ratings-wise to bring in a totally new concept that may not necessarily sit well with the more conservative Filipino audience, especially with an over-zealous MTRCB. Today, Pinoy Big Brother has become the undisputed highest rating program in the country, giving a big boost to the station's bid to recover its number one spot.
I must admit that I, too, was surprised to be writing about this topic, which I'm sure some people would dismiss as trivial. I was toying with some "heavy" issues - Ramos demand for Arroyo to cut her term, the Supreme Court's final go-signal for E-VAT, the continuing challenge against the government's CPR, the joint manifesto of El Shaddai and INC's top honchos, and many more.
But I must admit, again, that like the majority of our people, the developments in our political and economic fronts have become increasingly suffocating and nauseating that we feel like screaming: enough is enough! No wonder Pinoys, including this writer, are turning to any form of entertainment that can divert their attention, even temporarily, away from all the maddening issues and hard realities that they must deal with every day.
That's why watching and following the lives of a dozen ordinary people have becoming more interesting stuffs to many of us than the shake, rattle and roll of many of our political leaders, whose antics have gone from interesting to hilarious to pathetic. I'm sure that if SWS and Pulse Asia would conduct a nationwide survey today, even evicted housemate Racquel would earn more votes than Gloria and perennial favorite Franzen would beat Kabayan Noli by a landslide.
Very clearly, Pinoy Big Brother has demonstrated the enormous power of media and what it can do to transform and magnify lives. Who would think that these 12 individuals, who were largely unknown three months ago, are now household names and have attained celebrity status?
Indeed, media is such a forceful tool that can influence and even change the perception and opinion of people. Thus, it is a continuing challenge to media entities and personalities to take serious responsibility over what they do and what they show to the public. For the message is so far reaching and so powerful that if the medium is abused, it can be detrimental, especially to young and innocent minds.
Pinoy Big Brother has also stirred the debate on many social and psychological issues affecting people. Critics have pointed out that the program has promoted voyeurism. The dictionary defines a voyeur not only as somebody who watches for sexual pleasure, but also a person who is a persistent observer of misery and scandal, somebody who is fascinated with or persistently observes distressing, sordid or scandalous topics or events.
Undoubtedly, the program has capitalized on the Pinoys' never-ending passion to look into and talk about other people's lives, especially their neighbor's. "Chismis" has always been the Filipinos' favorite past-time and now they have more talking points with their friends--who else but the Big Brother housemates?
At the end of the day, even its harshest critics cannot deny that if there is at least any good that Pinoy Big Brother has done for this country, it is the fact that it has given our people a welcomed relief to keep both their sense of humor and their sanity intact. The program enables all of us to have a good time and a hearty laugh at the end of a heavy day.
But I am sure that this country would benefit more and our people would certainly enjoy more if ABS-CBN can invite some of our politicians to join Pinoy Big Brother in its next season. Could you imagine what a relief and a riot it would be if the next housemates would be carrying the names: Gloria, Noli, Frank, Joe, Erap, Jamby, Johnny, Loren, Eddie, Ping, Raul and Miriam(!). Who would be the first to be nominated and evicted? Your text is as good as mine.
For comments and reactions, email at attyjobertpenaflorida@yahoo.com
(October 24, 2005 issue)
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