Media and Stardom

We are in a global and digital informational age where newspapers, radios, televisions and computers will always be there to provide reports or news. The word media came from the word medium which means mode or the effecting or conveying of something (Merriam Webster Dictionary). The tasks of media are to entertain, inform and educate people. It helps us to be aware of the current issues in the society. So, the media plays a vital role in strengthening the society because it has a strong social and cultural impact on them. And because media has been treated with almost equal importance with food and clothing, it then became a tool to carry out messages or opinion to the public.

When I was a kid, the sky is the limit to my dreams. Like most of the people dream about, I also dream for fame and from fame comes the money. And the most possible way to fame is to be well-known in terms of your career especially in the field of talents such as singing, dancing and most especially acting.

When I ask any one to name as many celebrities as he can, I think a whole sheet of yellow pad paper would not be enough.  I think the media constantly pay great attention to celebrities and I think it is because one of their tasks is to entertain or pleased audience taste and gossips are one of the favorites of some people. No wonder sometimes we feel we just know more than those famous people than themselves.

People of different races and status in life seek for fortune tellers. Do you know that politicians and celebrities consult fortune teller?  The article that I’ve read is entitled “Filipino Celebrity Predictions of 2012” by Edumbao. In this article, the famous Boy Abunda of the talk show “The Buzz” interviewed Filipino soothsayers Bro Mon and stargazers for the predictions of different Filipino celebrities and famous personalities. This includes Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Piolo Pascual, and many others.

Those predictions mentioned will only serve as precautions for the celebrities involved to take care of themselves and should make important decisions in life.

I am certain that you know Kris Aquino, the queen of all media and the youngest sister of the Pres. Noynoy. An article entitled “Psychic: Kris Aquino will tie a not in 2012”. Kris reveals that a Thai fortune teller’s prediction is she will have a boyfriend by December 10, 2012 and will be married on April next year.

According to the article, To make this prediction a reality, though, Kontong urged Aquino to take more trips abroad since she will meet the next man in her life in one of her travels”. Aquino believes Kontong’s predictions are possibly “more accurate” given that he doesn’t know her personally which means “hindi niya ako pwedeng bolahin.”

Well, I find it like reasonable or common sense that if you have many trips outside the country, you will meet many foreigner because even you just stay here in the Philippines, you may encounter many foreigners. But in the other side, there is really what we call destiny, if it is for then it is really for you.

I don’t think this is not a good explanation for Kris to reason out that because he doesn’t know her personally which means “hindi niya ako pwedeng bolahin.” Yes, many fortune tellers are saying what the client wants to hear—that the loved one also secretly loves her/him, that the lost loved one or property will ultimately come back or be found, that good fortune is just around the corner, just be patient, etc., etc., they give the client hope and he/she does not fall into despair or sadness. Considering as well that we are in a highly advanced computer world where one can search or investigate about you and your personality online with so much information and opinions of other people especially if you are in stardom.

In conclusion, media especially televisions, newspapers and magazines need these celebrities to attract people. Otherwise, they cannot survive. They give so much publicity to predictions of celebrities; people might get used to forecasting their favorite celebrity and might think that it is the right thing to do and will also want to consult fortune tellers like what their idol is doing.

Media also give so much publicity to different prophecies of people such as war, tsunami, earthquakes or even the end of the world. For me, they are all in general terms and can be interpreted in the way you wanted to. I think to provide fear and panic should also be included in the tasks of media. J