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Date Posted: 09:42:34 12/05/04 Sun
Author: NEWS ON LINE
Subject: Viewfinder : National fetish for gossip

Viewfinder : National fetish for gossip

Updated 09:36pm (Mla time) Dec 02, 2004
By Nestor U. Torre
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A2-5 of the December 3, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


WE WERE finally able to watch Jessica Soho's new GMA 7 show, "Kapuso Mo," last Sunday. We were glad that the episode opted to focus on the topic of gossip, since we feel that Filipinos' obsession with poking our noses into other people's business is one reason why we're in such a mess.

This is because, when we bitchily concern ourselves with other folks' private lives, especially with their seamier and smellier aspects, we dissipate our energies and don't focus on what we can do about our own problems.

Also, we assume a holier-than-thou attitude that is actually a cover-up for our own misery loving other miserable people's company!

So, it's healthy for a TV show to explore the various factors and issues related to gossip, especially in the Philippines, where chismis has become a major draw on TV.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that local gossip has expanded from its original base in show business, to now include chismis about other aspects of society,
like politics and Manila's 400.

In fact, TV's fascination with gossip now includes even the sordid lives of non-celebrities, all the way down to the barangay or neighborhood level, as long as their sins and excesses are vile enough to both shock and titillate the TV audience.

In the light of these developments, Jessica Soho's show did viewers a distinct service by throwing its spotlight on our national fetish for gossip.

However, after a while, the show frittered away its initial advantage by tackling too many sub-topics, and consequently not devoting enough time to any of them for them to be worth our while.

Among other sallies, the episode debunked the hoary rumor about Rizal being Hitler's tatay, the presence of a woman-eating snake in the ladies' room of a big department store, and a town in the south notorious for its resident aswangs.

The show conducted an "experiment" that consisted of a fake scandal staged in an FX taxi, after which the other passengers were encouraged to gossip about what they had just witnessed.

What were the "experiment's" findings? That the gossip about the scandal was predictably know-it-all, misinformed, speculative and bitchy. And that, contrary to general belief, men could be as bitchy as women!

Fine, but these were rather slim pickings for a 30-minute show. In future, we hope that the program opts to focus on fewer sub-topics, so that it can really do justice to them.

We would also like to see the show go deeper into topic up for discussion, so that more solid and enlightening insights can be arrived at.

With Jessica at the helm, the refocusing stands a good chance of succeeding.

'Laro'

STARTING Dec. 3, Theater Now, the laboratory arm of Gantimpala Theater Foundation, will stage "Laro" at Studio 2 at the Concert at the Park auditorium, Rizal Park.

"Laro" is the adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's play for 10 male actors, led by Julien Mendoza, and directed by Floy Quintos.

On Dec. 10 and 11, the play will be presented at the CCP's Tanghalang Huseng Batute. Call 879-5745.

'U Gotta Feel Me'

LIL' FLIP'S third album, "U Gotta Feel Me," is a two-disc collection of street-smart savvy mixed with crossover appeal.

The 21-track album features collaborations with hip-hop stars and fresh talents, like Ludacris in "Bring Da Pain" and Cam-ron "All I know."

ABS-CBN shows

BOBOT Mortiz makes his comeback on ABS-CBN with his guest appearance on Dec. 4 in "Home Along D' Airport." Also, see how the Alyssa Gibbs-Camille Prats rivalry affects the whole "Hada" neighborhood. And Aubrey Miles openly admires Carlo Maceda.

And, on Dec. 5 on "Ang Tanging Ina," Ai-Ai exposes the truth as she attends her first Senate inquiry!

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