Why it's called the Boob Tube

These days, nothing is sacred. If people want to watch it, then it’s called television.

When I heard that FPJ had passed away, I was already expecting a massive outpour of emotions from the masses. Once again, the people will troop to the streets to escort the body of their languished hero to its final resting place. Once again, movie stars will be revered as gods and the world will see yet again, how pathetically shallow we are as a people. Not even Jesus ever had it this good.

What I wasn’t expecting was how low the opposition would sink, using even this, FPJ’s untimely death as political mileage. Nothing is sacred these days. And as expected, the media will once again blow this out of proportion, repetitively broadcasting images of Susan Roces, not distraught but furious over the media’s ‘abuse’ of her husband and his aspirations. The media, ‘out of a sense of duty’ I suppose, perhaps learning from the lessons (read: ratings) of Rico Yan’s death, has decided to capitalize on the flurry of emotions, dedicating non-stop coverage to the outpour of uninhibited, unintelligible, and irreverent human emotion (or so our very well trained actors make it seem). In the meantime, dozens more families are rendered homeless due to excessive use of Christmas lights. But we’ve all heard that story before haven’t we? Give us the REAL drama.

Hooray for the people! They’re simply enjoying the roller coaster ride. Call it irreverent but I found it humorous that people were taking photos of FPJ’s casket with their camera phones. At least we’ve managed to grasp technology. Apparently, it’s not as complicated as the intricate inner workings of local politics, showbiz and the lack of logic that flows in between.

Sit back and relax people. We’ve got ourselves another blockbuster this holiday season.

As for the children, we’ve only managed to teach them that the only future in this country is in the show business. Watch them, they’re already donning their miniskirts and tank tops preparing to be the next Sex Bomb Dancer and Ethel Boobas. After shamelessly pimping themselves as sex objects, they will move on to be leaders of the country. If there is one constance in the Philippines, it is showbiz.

Our economy will crumble, our debt will balloon, but by god, there will be movies!