In Defense Of Showbiztocracy?

By Author: Nicole Limos
Total Articles: 3
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Just before the 2004 Presidential elections, when the FPJ's-going-to-run hype was still at hype, my hyper-observant self managed to grasp what many of my fellow middle-classers have been yakking about: Migration as soon as FPJ sits his hind end on the presidential chair. So many have dreaded that day when the so-called non-discerning masses of Filipino people would triumph in electing such a showbiz creature (okay, may he rest in peace). Many have feared that democracy would soon be media-slash-showbiztocracy.

There are a lot of actors-turned-into-politicians in the present Philippine government. And I argue that their presence in politics is not really highly injurious or destructive to the country's democratization. Their high profileness or attention-catching beings make them more prone to public criticisms and denunciation. The traditional politicians on the other hand, most of the time, afflict more damage as they are less visible, unknown and unreachable to their constituents. Many have long been expressing abhorrence towards Philippine traditional politics, as it is marred by elitism, political dynasties, ...
... oligarchy, and patron-client relations. But isn't the emergence of such showbiz personalities in the Philippine government a sign of somehow untraditionalizing Philippine politics? Doesn't this show that the privilege of ruling and possessing power is not exclusive to the trapos of the Philippine society, as one distinguishing trait of democratization?

This expansion of democracy up to the TV Democracy level (Zafra) is a good sign that democratization is going pretty well in the Philippines. The participation of all sectors of society is necessary for a real democracy. And it seems like media and showbiz personalities recognize their role, and how they could participate and impact society with actions, which somehow helps in the efficacy of other sectors in promoting democracy, as well as development. I will have to side with Zafra and say that the media, TV in particular, has become a surrogate government. People seek help from them through many of the public service programs they offer. In fact, many air out complaints to them and have not just their cousin's friend's sister know about their dilemmas, but as well as the millions of kapusos and kapamilyas glued on the tube. This public-airing mandates government agencies to take action, to participate in enhancing and sustaining democracy. Media, in this way, fulfill its role in helping promote democracy. Now, if showbiz people work well in their public service through media, there's also a chance that they'd also do well in public service through government.

I have enough belief that the Filipino people are a thinking, discerning people, despite, I assume, the low level of political discourse among many, which media could partly be held responsible for--it cannot be denied that it influences people's thinking. But the fact that it also reflects what people think should not be overlooked. As media consumers, people choose whether or not to consume what is being offered, basing their preference on their standards.

Saying that the celebrity politics of the Philippines is not detrimental to its democratization may sound deviant in this society where many opt to think otherwise, especially when most of these I'm-done-with-showbiz-so-I'll-dive-into-public-service personalities are designated to such stereotypes as no-brainers, lacking of practical experience or just plain obtuse to the dos and don'ts of handling government. But when I think about it, the fear of many does not really lie on the election of showbiz creatures in government. What they fear is the election of dumb creatures in government. It's just a stereotype that showbiz people are dumb. Here is a clear illustration: Mr. Trillana is an intense Political Dynamics professor who has hyper-great brain powers in politics and government. He decides to enter and use showbiz as a gateway for his political career. My theory is that, if people knew what he is capable of, and that he is not dumb, they would vote for him even if he is in showbiz.

As a thinking people, we choose what meets our standards. And with the results of the last elections, I could say many still had good standards. Well, not mediocre, at least. Otherwise, we would have elected a no-brainer, inexperienced, simply obtuse creature as president. (And then many of my fellow middle-classers would have deserted this land.)
About the Author: Nicole is a Communication Arts major who, at the moment struggles to comprehend everything about her Political Dynamics class. Source: www.isnare.com