Bursting Showbiz Myths

"It is upsetting how we-or those of us who make up 99 percent of the population doomed to be "ordinary" by the powers-that-be in the star-making-slash-selling industry-buy into the myth that makes it difficult for outrageously talented people who aren't, er, as commercially-viable to make it, and puts any pretty, factory-issued face without the least bit of talent on the path to stardom."

Philippine Idol, my current guilty pleasure, issued a heart-stopper Sunday, as host Ryan Agoncillo announced that Maureen Marcelo and Armarie Cruz, easily among the most talented, had gotten the least number of votes.

I promptly descended into this pool of upset against how we-and I mean those of us who make up 99 percent of the population doomed to be "ordinary" by the powers-that-be in the star-making-slash-selling industry-buy into the myth that makes it difficult for outrageously talented people who aren't, er, as commercially-viable to make it, and puts any pretty, factory-issued face without the least bit of talent on the path to stardom.

Mau said it best herself as she was among the last of two wildcard contenders standing, before it was announced it was she who made it to the Final 12. Conventionally pretty Suey lamented her being pitted against Mau, who promptly tearfully and candidly interjected, "Sabi sa iyo hindi ito singing contest (kung hindi) pagandahan."

Happily, Sunday's eliminations were suspended in concession to the havoc wreaked by Typhoon Milenyo. Apparently, a lot of people who wanted to vote weren't able to get through. I didn't even attempt to vote, because texting on my mobile phone post-Milenyo was an exercise in patience that I immediately lost. Last week's votes will be counted for this Sunday's eliminations, though, so Mau and Arms are still at risk. But they live to fight-and campaign for more votes-another week.

It surprises me how I'm still so into Philippine Idol. I initially tuned in to it out of curiosity, having followed the three most recent seasons of American Idol faithfully. I was so ready see it as a poorer version of American Idol, and had done so, in fact, on the first semi-finals elimination night, when one contestant had to endure several minutes without a microphone in the middle of his power performance and Agoncillo wasn't turning out to be as effective as Ryan Seacrest.

It's not always good to compare, I know, but franchises pay for, well, the franchise. Technically, a McDonald's cheeseburger should taste the same in California and in Manila. Starbucks is Starbucks everywhere. Happily, again, Philippine Idol has stepped up on the improvements. The venue has been spruced up beautifully, and no major technical glitches have happened since that first-day semi-finals disaster. Agoncillo has finally found his hosting mojo. Moreover, the hosts, though still a bit wishy-washy and inconsistent at times, are starting to bare their fangs.

I'm also glad to note that there are a number of contestants who, as they say, represent their true selves, chief among them the butch and dapper Pow Chavez, who refuses to kowtow to the public opinion and wear a dress, even if judge Pilita Corrales herself is having a hard-time letting it go. Now, that's something you don't see even in American Idol. As they say, walang ganyan sa States.

I suppose this is what continues to hold my interest in reality television contests: seeing ordinary people getting to do extraordinary things by merely being themselves. And while I know, Filipino viewers being the way they are now (and you would know this by the chorus of criticisms that arise when someone on the heavy side or too dark or too kulot appears on camera), that a lot of us are still going to keep buying into the myths that only the beautiful can be talented and that beauty is only what media tells you it is, maybe someday soon someone out there brave enough to represent himself or herself can show us what we stand to gain for ourselves if we use our power as viewers-consumers to reward true talent.

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