EDITORIAL - Willie, the other side

If Willie Revillame committed infractions pertaining to his handling of a show in which a young boy broke into tears while being egged on to perform a sexy dance number, then he should be investigated, and punished if found guilty, in relation to those infractions alone.

But let us stop moralizing and pontificating on the issue. The show of Willie is about entertainment. And if in the eyes of his critics Willie exploits the poverty and need of people to fuel his show, then these critics better ask the "exploited" themselves if this is true.

There are as many meanings as there are people contemplating anything. And from where other people sit, this is a free country where it is neither a sin nor a crime to join a Willie show for the chance to earn a little quick cash they otherwise could not earn anywhere.

Sure it does not teach a good work ethic nor teach the value of hard work to simply rely on chance and luck. But this is the Philippines, where the opportunities for a good work ethic and the value of hard work to be tested are few and getting even less. Go ask our OFWs.

So, to where the possibility of bringing food for the table is, there will go the many who never had the chance to prove their worth in better circumstances, and lucky are those who are quick to pass judgment for they never have to exchange places with them.

Do the critics of Willie believe that if they shut down his show, the hordes of poor people who flock to it will just go away to become better persons and more productive citizens in their eyes?

At least the Willie show is attracting some of those who, in desperation, could have become greater problems to society than just people aching for a little luck. They never bothered anyone by just being in the show, so why should they be begrudged for such a little diversion?

It would be interesting to find out what many of those who criticize the show of Willie and look down on his crowd have done to make this country a better place to live in, a country whose people do not have to pawn their dignity for a little fun and earn at the same time.