Revenge

                               (photo: abs-cbn.com)

When the lights subdued, confetti started to fall. Then, a hush came when power returned and a woman clad in gold gown came down the stairs. Everybody’s attention was to her and when she reached the steps, fireworks commenced on cue. She proceeded to the governor and his daughter whose mouths were agape. Then, the woman who rose from the dead said: I’m back. Ivy Aguas is dead. Lily Cruz is alive. You could never destroy me. I’m indestructible! Ironically, music inspired of Spandau Ballet’s “Gold” was played on the background as the main characters eyed each other with hate and deception. The local cyberspace was then full of the tag line Black is Out, Gold is In.

This was the much talked about scene of ABS-CBN’s telenovela “Wildflower”. The program catapulted to fame as a woman started to make revenge as her breakfast, lunch and dinner. She also dashed and garnished her persona with hatred to the point that the sole purpose of her existence is to get even with the people who made her inferior inside and out.

The formula of the TV program was easily picked up by the Filipino audience due to the numerous backgrounds of the viewers. One could admire the research conducted by the production team on what would tickle the minds and interests of the majority. Most of the people who view TV on these time slot are women who prepare the family’s dinner, so why not place a strong character which could suit the fantasies of the weakling? A woman who topples domineering males could be a potent one to fill the air time.

There are also those who are waiting for the evening news to be aired who are expecting rape victims, abused women and the weak as the prey to be aired on the national current events. So, why not put a reversal of such dreary mood by showing women who fight back and politicians who could be manipulated by them?

We see the power of the women being heralded on the show to the point that the male characters seem to play supporting roles only. With the coming in of Zsa zsa Padilla’s Red Dragon, the weak wives could now wait for their revenge on their dominating husbands as they marvel and feel the seething rage over Ardiente: the epitome of their pain and insult.

But then, one could wonder why do we feed on hate and lead to revenge? Isn’t this a negative thing to dwell on? People who constantly plan for the destruction of their enemies are not at peace. Their anger destroys their relationships, their careers and their capacity to serve others will be hampered since their prime motivation is to hurt and get even. We could not judge them since we did not feel their pain yet being grabbed with peace due to past pains could be counterproductive. The present holds their children, their friends and their will to serve. If these things be put at stake due to past hurts, life could be miserable.

The drama series is rated SPG (Strong Parental Guidance) since the kids might see the presented scenes as the ideal ones in real life. The viewers are expected to be adults who just see this one a pure entertainment. Yet, could we be assured that all people who view the show as mature enough to draw the line of what’s real and not? What if we like the thought of dressing up and proceed to our archenemies in full regalia and announce our vengeance?

In art lessons, we are being told that movies and other works of fiction are reflections of our culture and beliefs. It is a bit alarming seeing our kids spend time viewing shows just like these with hate as themes. We must reflect on the type of culture we are projecting for the future generation. We are sometimes lenient since we are caught in our own battles.But responsibility is attached to us so with our efforts to be and become.

Yet there are those of us who could be stubborn. We stick on our twisted beliefs. We are weak enough to confront our inner selves with the truth. We are already made. Some of us do not adhere to the belief that changing for the better is a continuum.