The word war between two opposing camps or groups on social media about gender issue, social status, talents, skills and what have you grown toxic everyday. Their verbal squabble already spilled beyond the walls of decency and propriety like using the most mean and foul language which obviously cannot escape the eyes and ears of the young generation whose daily activities are anchored on their cell phones. Some obscene videos like the show of a certain Toni Fowler showing her naked breast and butt and shaking it like the kid’s toy “Lato-lato” is to me an assault to the inherent decorum and graciousness of Filipino women.
In the olden times, there were also burlesque shows featuring female dancers in skimpy attire but the same was being done in a place exclusively “for adults only”. Minors were normally prohibited from entering or watching such shows because the elderly believed that it corrupts the spirit and destroys the moral fiber of the young. With the advent of the internet, the proliferation of cell phones and the availability of various applications the use of which is not controlled by the net server, unguarded children can see the ugliest, the meanest and the vilest shows that suddenly pop up on the screen.
We cannot go back to the olden times because the world and the people have changed drastically. A lot of life-changing incidents happened, modern gadgets were invented, men have traveled the space and discovered many things in the universe totally unknown before. But those are not licenses for us to forget our humanity and simply embrace what’s new. There are matters we should maintain and preserve like our human dignity and respect for other people’s rights and beliefs.
One need not be a degree or title holder to understand what is right and what is wrong. What is needed is simple common sense, which sadly is not available in the market. Social media is good because it provides us with information not normally provided by the mainstream media but we should always be cautious and smart to detect what is authentic and what is fake. We should take hold of our sanity and not be easily influenced by the so-called “social media influencer” whose main target is fame and money out of their chosen platform – YouTube, Tiktok, Facebook.
Use the internet wisely and refrain from following applications and personalities that corrupt your morality, and destroy the inherent goodness of your character. Stay focused on being good “even if others do not, cannot, and will not.” Always bear in mind that life is short; that nobody lives forever; that there is a time for every season under the sun. One may earn millions and travel the world using a particular platform but as the Good Book tells us, ”What does it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul?”
Melinda Bagsic Evangelista
I was born to write and I believe that’s my calling. I love writing because it brings me to the realm exclusively of mine. It is also my opinion that “immortality” can be achieved not by searching for the Holy Grail and drinking from it but by living your life worth-writing or writing something worth-reading. Since I cannot promise you a life worth-writing, I keep myself busy writing something worth-reading. I am thankful to God for giving me the talent and skill to see life in different perspectives not seen by many and the courage to share it to my readers. This first ever Tutubi Digital News Magazine is a perfect avenue to bring you the many facets of life that you can ponder upon in this time of the pandemic. Enjoy reading all the articles.
