In your opinion, do most Filipinos tend to gossip?

Rowena Remiendo, QUEZON CITY: Yes, most Filipinos are more interested in gossip rather than knowing the truth. That’s why the Philippines is like one big movie industry.  

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: Most Filipinos’ tendency to gossip is minimized by their being too busy looking for food these difficult days.  

It’s our favorite pastime

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: We need not ask this kind of question. We all know that gossiping is our national pastime.  

Imee Aglibot, USA: Oh yes, gossiping is the best pastime for us. It is one effective way to ward off boredom and hunger. It is the best weapon to combat envy and hatred. It may come off as negative and unproductive or it could lead to destruction. But from the high and mighty to the most miserable slum dwellers, it seems that we won’t last a day without gossip.

Nap Cinco, Rizal: Well, I think so. We Filipinos know fully well that gossiping is our national pastime, thus from showbiz to politics, gossiping is quite exciting.  

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Yes, it is the favorite pastime in the neighborhood to get the latest news that will awaken our curiosity and imagination.  

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Yes, this is our favorite pastime. We tend to share and spread information, whether it is true or fiction.  

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Just switch to all prime time local TV programs and you’ll have more than ample reason to believe that we relish this favorite pastime.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Gossip is the favorite pastime of idle Pinoys, as it’s free of charge. People argue about almost everything; they can make small issues appear bigger.  

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Yes, gossip is a national pastime of Filipinos. Without daily gossip, most would find their lives boring and without meaning. Let’s admit this sad fact.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan City: I agree that Filipinos are generally rumormongers. They gossip for breakfast, lunch, and supper, and merienda in between. They smirk and jeer among themselves as friends on the hypocrisy they see in lives of the celebrities and controversial personalities in their localities. Gossip, to most , must be an educational form of recreation.  

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Yes, because gossiping is our favorite pastime, handed down from generation to generation. Today, it’s a source of intelligence or newsgathering.  

Filipinos love to gossip

Jayce Rodnie Hachero, Laguna: I think Filipinos are fond of gossip. They tend to gossip for many different reasons. Some for personal gain, some for revenge, and others just to make fun of other people. Gossip, good or bad, can sometimes be true and important information, especially to the media.  

Glen Reyes, Quezon City: Yes, almost all Filipinos gossip, from the housewives, employees, tambays. Even politicians gossip. It has been part of our culture and always will be.  

Louella Brown, Baguio City: Yes, most Filipinos tend to gossip. Gossiping is popular everywhere  in the workplace, in media, barber shops, jeepneys, etc.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Ang Pinoy  from plain housewives, istambays, showbiz personalities, to crabminded politicians  likas na tsismoso. We have all sorts of gossip.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Of course naman, Filipinos love to make and hear chika. There’s no exception. It’s our way of life.  

It’s only our politicians

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I disagree that most Filipinos tend to gossip. This is highly insulting to Filipino people. But, I agree 100 per cent that the majority of Filipino politicians have the penchant to make mountains out of molehills. Politicians are overly engrossed with innuendo and gossip, on speculations and rumors for their own selfish agenda. Let us take the recent brouhaha over PGMA’s health. Politicians claim that the public should know the true health condition of PGMA. The truth is, it is the politicians who are interested to know, for them to exaggerate and sensationalize their gossip to get media attention and make it to the front page.  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: Only senators tend to gossip, especially during investigations allegedly in aid of legislation.  

Gossip is the spice of life

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: Having a dense population, most Filipinos love to gossip as their entertainment during mealtime, for without it, life is lacking.  

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: It is not only a propensity among Filipinos to indulge in gossip. It is ingrained in most Filipinos to talk behind each other’s backs with holierthanthou pleasure. Contrary to popular belief, gossip is more common among men, especially during stag parties, where the topics of conversation always center on someone else’s romantic adventure. It’s gossip done the macho way. Why do you think would TV talk shows rank high in the ratings game? What has it to do with us if Ruffa and John Lloyd are cozy with each other? But they click with the masses who are always hungry for gossip to lighten up the drabness of everyday living.  

Jose Parco, Kalibo Aklan: Absolutely! I heard that through the grapevine! As one of the happiest people in the world, we tend to gossip whenever we can. After all, life would be a complete bore without it. As most subjects are from the movie industry, its intimate nature is a sure sellout. Most major AM radio stations in NCR have a gossip hour. This simply means it gets a very high rating. Even the government is not wanting in gossip material. And remember, rumors have an iota of truth in them! So enjoy!  

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: For most Filipinos, gossiping is an ingredient of a very sumptuous meal that serves to lighten and brighten the day. However, it also shows the negative and easygolucky nature of Pinoys in their daily life struggle. This is worsened by irresponsible journalism that seeps through news and commentary in media.  

Jae Delos Santos, Muntinlupa City: Mostly, but not all. It adds spice and makes life more exciting for gossipers.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: Yes, and how we enjoy gossiping!  

Gossiping is negative

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: Yes, I think many tend to gossip. But I also think that many know better and therefore control their gossipy tendencies. To me, gossip is a negative activity better left undone. It hurts other people oftentimes without any solid basis. It makes the gossiper feel good at the expense of the gossip victim. Gossip is the opposite of empathy. Instead of talking about what is not so good about others, people should try and see what is good in somebody, for there is always something good about somebody, no matter how imperfect he or she might be. Gossip tends to pull people down instead of uplifting them. It antagonizes instead of unites people. It is not healthy for relationships. I think a lot more positive results are achieved by assuming a neutral position when people talk ill of others. It’s better not to say anything or take sides.  

We have too much idle time

Ishmael Q. Calata, Paranaque City: While gossip is a universal phenomenon, the propensity of people to be tattlers of idle talk depends on how much free time they have for gossip. Here, in our country, even during office hours, people still find time to talk and usually, such talk gravitates to the usual interesting topics of the day: Other people. Housewives left at home to tend to the children while the husbands are at work also have much time to chat with each other and there they go for tsismis!  

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: Because of lack of education and of things to do, Filipinos would rather talk about people instead of significant events and ideas.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Ayon sa nasagap kong tsismis, ang mga Pinoy ay mahilig sa gossip! This is because we have too much idle time in our hands. Pastime na ng mga walang magawang matino. When we lived in San Juan, my nutty brotherinlaw greeted the ‘tropang tsismosang dagat’ on his way to work daily, “Ano ang latest news sa atin?” They would reply, “Si Jess talaga, puro biro!” Even all kinds of meetings become chika sessions for Pinoys.  

Medel Verzosa, Ilocos Sur: Laziness caused by hot summer days and a cold rainy season invite Pinoys to group and indulge gossip. For them it’s a luxury.  

Misery loves company

Norberto Robles, Taguig: Yes, most Pinoys take perverse pleasure in the misery of others (schadenfreude) and in pulling people down by gossiping. The proof: We’re the world’s texting capital.  

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: Gossipers think they are perfect and they find joy in gossiping about other people. There is a saying that goes, “The monkey laughs at the cow’s long tail, but to see his own, the monkey does fail.”  

We’re a nation of rumormongers

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental :Yes, namana natin kay Eva. Gossip is the original sin.  

Felix Ramento, Manila: Yes, we are a nation of rumormongers. Gossips thrive everywhere and make minced meat out of friends and foes alike. We even have celebrity gossips that wallow in the misfortunes of their kind.  

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Whether it’s about the good, the bad, or the ugly, things in life are passed on. Gossiping relaxes the mind through the tongue.  

All nationalities enjoy gossip

Aldo Apostol, Quezon City: Not only Filipinos, but all nationalities: “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” James 3:56.  

Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City:  No more or less gossipy than other nationalities of other countries, although I’ve heard some pretty vicious ones in ours.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: I believe most Filipinos tend to gossip, one way or another, but that is a normal habit of many people anywhere who are curious to know about the lives of others. Reading gossip or blind news items is gossiping. Others do it by listening to the private conversation of others or peeping into others’ private activities then passing on what they know to others, discreetly or openly. It is also normal for many to deny being a gossip as gossiping often leads to trouble.  

Yes, to an embarrassing extent

M. Sunico, Caloocan City: It’s not only a pastime for the majority of Pinoys; it’s a way of life. Actors/actresses, newspapers reporters and editors, lawmakers, government officials, doctors, lawyers, priests and street people would rather believe in gossip than in the Bible. In fact, questions like this should never be asked in a public forum like Inbox World since it degrades the global image of the Filipino people.  

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Too much.  

Bits of news snowball because of gossip

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Oh yes, most especially the housewives and tsimays, which usually results in delay in their work routine. Phil. Star’s ‘Funfare’ and TV’s ‘The Buzz’ are gossips.  

Charese Margaret Chua, Bacolod City: Yes, I think most Filipinos do gossip. Why? Because of what we see on TV, hear on radio, and read in newspapers and magazines. Not only that, we also see a lot of gossip on the internet. Even a little issue about a celebrity would reach the entire country. Scandals have been a very common form of gossip. A simple statement started as something little, yet it ends up as a big false testimony. Many Filipinos say they hate gossiping, yet it is one of the most common things we do. Sometimes, we get too blinded or get overly engrossed in a subject that we forget what we are doing is wrong, or would affect others.  

Noel Banias, Makati City: Most Filipinos, men and women alike, gossip. Whenever there is a group huddled together, the topic being discussed will inevitably be spiced with whatever juicy tidbits are coming from the grapevine. Politics, showbiz, economic matters notwithstanding, the Filipino is expected to share the latest with his friends. Eventually, as time goes by, bits and pieces are constantly added to whatever a group started discussing. Lo and behold, chismis starts and begins to snowball.  

Females tend to gossip more

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: Since females in this country outnumber males, we can safely say that most Filipinos tend to gossip.  

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Gossip is the national pastime for most Pinoys. If you want fresh gossip, go to church everyday, then watch and listen to the manangs.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Going with our culture, gossip has become endemic to Filipino women. Though men tend to indulge in it, the macho’s unwritten ethics dictate discreetness.  

Men also gossip

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Yes, and I am the best example. My curiosity in finding out details in some people’s activities without regard to sensitivity made a number of people regard me with contempt. That was in my younger, aggressive years, though.  

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Even in a macho culture, Filipino males also tend to gossip. From the barber shop, coffee shops and in any drinking session, they also indulge in discussing other people’s lives, whether they like to admit it or not.  

We love hearing news about others

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: Yes, a lot of us Pinoys tend to gossip as we love to hear any news, good or bad, about others and we tend to pass it on to friends and acquaintances.  

Carolyn Coquia, San Juan City :I think Filipinos just want to be aware and updated of the news happening around them.  

Romeo L. Coloma, Ilocos Norte: A lot of us claim that we hate gossip but one thing for sure, the majority of Filipinos enjoy gossip.  

Gossip is all too commonplace

Tino Abella, Masbate: Unfortunately we are fed with negative news that is sometimes gossip. Obviously, we are used to it and it has become habitual. Gossip is often groundless.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Yes, I agree. Filipinos tend to gossip, male or female. We tend to do a lot of rumormongering especially when it comes to tsismis sa showbiz!  

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: Filipinos have the perennial habit of trying to interfere in the affairs and lives of others. Thus, gossip is the most common and effective way to do this.  

I don’t gossip

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Not me. I don’t start crap. I don’t want to be caught in the middle of crap. And I most definitely don’t want to get in trouble because of crap.  

Gossip as constructive criticism

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna :Yes, most Filipinos tend to gossip, but more on the positive and optimistic side of things. They gossip about things which tend to produce “constructive criticism” about certain matters of national interest.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Yes, I believe so. For every ten persons who talk about you, nine will say something bad, and the 10th will say something good in a bad way.  

Gossip is now a profession

Avelino Falcon, Saudi Arabia: Generally, no, and that’s because most of us Filipinos are too busy looking for the next meal. Tingin ko uso lang naman ‘yang tsismis sa show business at ito ay dahil diyan sila kumikita. Sa ibang profession, it is more of an exception rather than the rule.  

Chaley Lazaro Jr., Ilocos Norte: It has become a tradition that Filipinos tend to gossip. Too bad, gossiping has also become a profession that others could earn from.  

It’s human nature

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Yes, small talk, chitchat and conversation are only other terms for gossip. This interests many of us, rich and poor. It’s a part of human nature to be curious about other people’s life, the good and the bad.  

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: It may be very unfair to some people, but it’s a daily habit that we can’t get easily get rid off. It’s an infection that will spread to everybody in just seconds.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: People are interested in matters pertaining to the lives of others. What is not good is given emphasis. I believe this is all part of human nature. Entertainment news sells like hotcake. The word usi was coined because of the inquisitiveness of Pinoys. On second thought, mas maigi may alam kaysa sa walang alam and let’s admit it, that’s the spice of life.  

Sweet revenge

Loi Castilo, Davao City: Yes, Filipinos tend to gossip, especially if an issue did not work in their favor. They will do everything to ruin the lives of others just to get what they want.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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