(This blog adheres to a policy of a free flow of ideas, transparency, accuracy and a no-holds-barred airing of opinions. Comments must be signed by their authors in order to be published. Views are by their authors and as such, responsibility rests with them. Commenter's opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the blogger and editor of Currents & Breaking News).
The Miss Manila story elicited a number of comments from our readers. Here are some:
From Imelda Suzara, broadcast journalist and videographer, Toronto, Canada:
Romy,
Thanks for writing an intriguing update. I think there is a generation gap between the youth and middle aged.
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From Jacqui Conclara, former editor, Manila Bulletin USA, San Francisco, California:
Hello Romy,
As always, wherever you are, you never fail to come with thought provoking and insightful pieces that represent how we have evolved in the Filipino diaspora worldwide. Can I share this story in my Facebook page? I am curious how my friends who are all over the world as well, will react to this "cockfight" of a pageant.
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From Ms. Tess Cusipag, managing editor, Balita, Toronto, Canada:
When I talked to her (Ms. Marlou Tiro), I mentioned that there is no comparison between the young audience here in Toronto and in the Philippines. When she joined the Binibining Pilipinas, those people who could afford to pay and watch those pageants are middle class if not richy rich. YOU DO NOT EXPECT THEM TO SCREAM AND JUMP UP AND DOWN. DO YOU? I forgot how she replied.
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From Ms. Wilma F. Ventura, business owner, San Diego, California:
Dear Editor,
I'm always asked to allow my youngest daughter to join one of the beauty contests here in San Diego. Well, I refused all the time, knowing how it could evolve into a cockfight of sorts. I basically agree with Ms. Tiro. Our young women are reduced to a commodity. Thanks for this nice story.
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From Jesse Jose, retired US Navy journalist, Seattle, Washington:
Pareng Romy,
Good story. Thanks for sharing it. I enjoyed reading the two different views that came from Tess Cusipag and Marlou Tiro that you presented. That beauty pageant seemingly sounds like a "cockfight" to me.
But then in any kind of event of that nature where young people are the majority in the audience, it's always boisterous, lively and noisy . . . well, like a cockfight. Like for instance in high school or college basketball games, or in rock concerts, or in homecoming queen events. The energy coming from those young people can be overwhelming, especially to "old people" like us. You know what I mean?
Beauty pageants are not exactly church services, where everybody, young and old alike, must behave in a "traditional way."
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From Marlou Tiro, print and broadcast journalist, Toronto, Canada:
The question here is not the cheering and energetic response of the crowd. To cheer in this kind of contest is understandable. I agree that it is not a church service.
But to incite a rowdy behavior is another thing - which the male host was doing. In between intermission, this male host was shouting, "who will vote for no 7?" then followed by wild cheers, whistling, stamping, etc., adding, "who will vote for no 8?".
I considered his behavior totally disrespectful. What made it more disgusting was the chairman saying she even gave an extra $100.00 to the male host (who happens to be her son) "for a job well done and for entertaining the crowd". If she wants to entertain the crowd, why didn't she let her singers or dancers perform once again?
And by the way, the cheers for a rock & roll concert is highly different from a beauty pageant. The main issue here is NOT to compare a beauty pageant to a cockfight entertainment because these young girls were not there to entertain the crowd. They were not there to serve as entertainers. The organizers hired entertainers and that was their job - not the job of the contestants.
The essence of a beauty pageant is a selection of a beautiful lady that embodies grace, beauty and intelligence. Having these qualities in mind, then they are looking for a respectable lady; a princess and a "dalagang Filipina" as per their website. Don't you think these ladies deserve due respect? If these young boys need to see only ladies for entertainment then there are numerous bars in town.
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Jesse Jose responding to Marlou Tiro:
Dear Ms. Tiro,
All women, young and old, especially the true "Dalagang Pilipina," deserve utmost respect and admiration. BUT, in beauty contests, those Filipina BEAUTIES become "entertainment" when they show off their beauties and their bodies. That's what beauty contests are for, isn't it? The showing off how beautiful a woman is, and that includes showing off their bodies, right? To me, Ms. Tiro, that's entertainment at its best.
Now, to "incite rowdy behavior" as you said, "is another thing." I agree with that. But was the host really inciting "rowdy behavior"? What is a rowdy behavior to you in an event like this one? Whistling? Stamping their feet? Loud cheering? It seems to me, Ms. Tiro, that that was a happy, successful, joyous, fun-filled event.
Cockfight-like, perhaps, to you and many others like you. But to those people there, the young people who attended, it was clean, exhilarating fun. Their "rowdy" exuberant display of appreciation proved that.
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From Tenny Soriano, columnist, Balita, Toronto, Canada:
Pre Romy,
What a hullabalo! Could be a question of, like one of your readers said, "generation gap". And she's right. The young ones express themselves much more differently from us older generation " boomers ". It's not out of disrespect that boisterous, noisy or rowdiness that these people have for the contestants but could be their own way of expressing support and rootings for their candidates.
Whether we like it or not, beauty pageants are here to stay in the Filipino community, whether to highlight the so-called "beauty or intelligence " or for pure and simple commercialism (which is more often the case).
Let's just celebrate and maybe we make some people happy and proud for having a beauty queen in the family. And of course, making a few people fat in their wallets and a few sponsors sell their products. It's summer, so let's be happy!
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From Jay Caedo, San Francisco, California
Dear Mr. Romy,
I think the difference in beauty pageants is like the difference between "tupadas" and "derbies". Who wants to waste time and money on backyard tupadas where the entries are just "patakbuhins" and "pipitsugins", when the real games are at the derbies where the entries are imported or Island-born which are pure bred and great fighters?
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Stories and other comments are also posted in the Los Angeles, California-based www.mabuhayradio.com website, per this hyperlink: Miss Manila Pageant Provokes Debate in the Filipino-Canadian Community in Toronto
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