Truly unmitigated ‘kababawan’ in ‘Kalyeserye’

NOTHING HAS made the idiotization of our masses more evident than the so-called “AlDub” phenomenon. Judging from the hoopla and hysteria its main attraction (Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, aka “Yaya Dub”) generates, it is fair assessment that the masses prefer being entertained to being educated about the serious issues that bedevil this country. Even Inquirer intellectual columnist Rina Jimenez-David got into the groove and hailed the clowning-around of the duo and a whole caboodle of weirdos in the show as a welcome distraction from the humdrum of life in these parts (“Why we need ‘kababawan’,” Opinion, 10/8/15).

No wonder the poor have become poorer, the rich richer. Not caring a hoot about matters that uplift their plight, but shrieking and screaming at the sight of their idols who do all kinds of stupid stunts to satisfy their constant demand for “kilig,” any poor man’s claim for a better life could be deemed forfeited.

On the other hand, businessmen promoting such imbecilic circuses are raking it in! Even those who are supposed to set a good example are also cashing in. Renting out the cavernous Philippine Arena—supposedly an INC tribute to its members’ religious fervor—as venue for more of those “AlDub” inanities proves the point that money overrides any other considerations.

It’s truly unmitigated “kababawan,” to borrow the expression of Filipino Broadway star Lea Salonga. Is there really nothing else to bestir our great multitude of countrymen into getting more interested in? The country is on the cusp of electing new leaders to chart its destiny, but what do we see? Gatherings held to discuss political, social and economic issues are sparsely attended—a far cry from the jampacked stage shows where movie stars, comedians and the like are brought in tow. It’s nothing different from children’s parties where clowns and two-bit magicians are a must-have attraction.

The contrast was made even more glaring in the Oct. 25 front-page stories in the Inquirer: “AlDub show shakes PH arena, logs 30M tweets” and “US-China tension rising”—“Beijing likely to resist US patrols in disputed sea.” Out there in the West Philippine Sea is a time bomb ticking and 30 million Filipinos care more about “Tamang Panahon” for the two love-sick birdies than what might happen if the country were plunged into a war it has no chance of surviving!

Already, they are calling it “AlDub” nation! With this “kababawan” spreading across the land like cancer inexorably metastasizing, is it really our destiny to remain the basket case of Asia?

—CHIN CHIN KATIGBAK, [email protected]