The Price of Dignity

10,000. That is the price of dignity, at least for a 6 year old boy gyrating in front of national television to the delight of an insensitive host and studio audience.

For the past week, the nation has seen once more another scandal that hit Willie Revillame's game show. As if we have recovered from his other scandals, here is another. The Ultra incident is not yet far from memory, and is not yet far from resolution. But Willie thought that just because he is doling out money, he can do what he wants, much less play with the dignity of people, those desperate enough to join his gameshow.

But that is the ploy of this insensitive, but admittedly cunning host. He doles out money not his own, but from advertisers. From the money he doles out, he gets the loyalties and sympathies of people, mostly poor and economically desperate. He gives money to some, those who will join his games for the fun and the spectacle. And he gives false hopes to the rest. Advertisers like the fact that many watch the show. People who he calls the "masses," but mostly the economically poor and low incomed in life.

Clever ploy. It got him the wealth he wanted. Meanwhile, many in his show remained poor. And as many people remain poor in this country in general, Willie will feed on their desperation to join his shows and remain loyal to him.

Does he care about these people? Sure he gives them money in the show, money from advertisers. And just because he does that, should he have a license to insult them and play with their dignity.

That is exactly what happened to Janjan, a case not unique in Willie's shows. If you watch all his shows, evidence are shouting on how he really feels about these people who he says he is helping. From the jokes, to the sexual innuendos, to the smirk on his face when old people hug him, to the lack of authenticity as evident in his expression.

But people are happy. Just for a moment. Because some of them receive cash. And the other hopes they will also next time.

This Willie incident once more challenges us to think critically to what is happening and decide accordingly what our stand is. To date, Willie has suspended his show for 2 weeks, publicly announcing it in his show, once more getting the sympathy of his audience. But if you read between the lines, something inside you will tell you that maybe it's about time. He has gone doing what he is doing, manipulating the masses, not really helping them in the long term, for too long. And you feel stupid and responsible if you tolerate it further. That's probably why his co-celebrities are angry about it, and their hostility directed on him.

That's also probably why when I heard of this, it left a bad taste in the mouth. Maybe it's the people's fault why Willie is still around. And maybe it will depend on the people if he will stay, doing what he is doing, manipulating the masses.