In a world where trends come and go as fast as the next novelty song that plays on the radio, most of us always strive to catch up with the what’s hot and the what’s not of the digital and entertainment scene. Through various media such as print and television, it has become important for every individual to be updated nowadays with the latest trends, gadgets, musical shows, and even perhaps, the latest evictee of the nationwide phenomenon, Pinoy Big Brother. These are, of course, just bits and pieces that add to a long list of fads that make up our constantly evolving Pinoy Pop Culture.
Popular, being the operative word, is apparently the easiest thing to come by nowadays. No matter how simple or bizarre a project is, with the right marketing and the reliable word of mouth among peers, something as simple as a Yu-Gi-Oh card or a Beyblade can generate a type of buzz that can take Manila’s youth by storm. From the latest videogame to the newest graphic novel about town, the topic of "What’s In" inevitably becomes a popular subject of conversation within the youth today.
Being up-to-date with the latest trends and current must-haves, the youth take pride in each acquisition and newfound glory. That is until lo and behold, Nokia comes out with a new phone sporting a different set of features that you’re just dying to check out. Like a predator to a prey, new gadgets and trends seem to capture the youth, with his self-esteem and allowance along for the pain-staking ride.
I, for one, am a guilty zombie who marches towards every fad that lands on our shores. From Power Rangers to Pokemon, I have fallen bait to this endless game of over-indulgence and super saturation until something new and better comes along. Not that all this novelty fanfare diminishes our unique identity, but in a way, trend-seeking becomes a separate culture that has defined who we are throughout the years.
While our bell-bottomed buddies remained glued to Voltes V, our generation continues to patronize MTV and its mishmash of music videos that constantly promote the industry’s "Next Big Thing." Not to mention, there is the obscure evolution of our colloquial language from repapeeps, raise the roof, to an Iya Villania-popularized heller! These F4s and Meteor Gardens may come and go, but the very enigma of trend-seeking lives on, imbedded within the Filipino psyche, yesterday, today and the untellable tomorrow.
Like a race to the finish, trend-seeking has become a grueling competition as to who gets the better cellphone, or who’s more updated in the current mishaps of the loveteam about town. Eventually, we’ll all obtain ownership rights to following the latest trend, that is until our spotlight becomes the very stoplight that triggers new entrants to this never-ending race.
Indeed, keeping up with the latest has become an arduous task for us to undertake. While there will always be this culture of fads and trends, there will also forever be a youth market that chases after it and spends a hard month’s allowance on thrifty or luxurious buys. And just when we’re in the midst of a foreseeable finish line, an all-too-similar race begins in the form of getting the newest iPod or buying the latest Tekken game – something that definitely keeps us coming back for more.
So for those of you who have the thrill for this never-ending race, chase on! And I suggest that you keep on chasing until you perchance this friendly stranger who is running right along and is just as desperate to catch up with the latest goings-on. God knows, you’re probably running the same track.