Baduy-ification

Are we Pinoys really baduy? As much I hate to admit it, I think we are. Watching the most popular noontime variety shows and listening to popular radio stations, made me realize this. Just listen to this: "Kelangan bang i-memorize yan?" I rest my case.

Now, the question I've been asking myself is, can we un-baduy ourselves? When people say there is hope for this nation, whether financially or politically, I think of it in a cultural sense. Filipino pop culture is just not what it used to be.

Despite my easily admitted hatred for Lito Camo and his "songs", he's not the only one to blame in our current situation. After all, the reason why he gets to roll down the streets in his Hummer is because the mass media tolerates and unfortunately, even enjoys the "music" he produces.

Have we stopped caring? Have we just accepted who we are and what we have become? Whatever happened to art?

It's safe to assume that Filipinos in general are inclined towards the arts. After all, it's difficult to find an area in this country that ignores music and the media, no matter how impoverished the place may seem. The irony is that despite what God given talents we may have, to fully utilize these skills could be tantamount to going hungry. It's a tragedy in its own right. People won't pay for something they don't want, so why not just give in?

Although there still are certain artists who continue to create and promote out-of-the-masses'-norm Filipino art and music, it's sad to see that a lot of them just seem to sell out. It's not hard to understand why, after all, artists need to eat too. But it breaks my heart to see how much our national standards have declined.

I truly hope that someday, we can reinstate the original Pinoy culture that we deserve and stop this baduy-ification once and for all.