Erosion of Filipino Family Values
Gretchen came out in the late 80s as a bombshell. She was the epitome of the seductive sexy beautiful Filipina actress. (Man, I could remember a centerfold which would be tame in todays standards.) She started with teen movies alongside Nadia Montenegro. Later, Seiko Films featured her in sex-themed films which may have paved the way for the trend dominated by Rosanna Roces in the 90s. Marjorie came into the limelight much later. She was quite chubbier. She didn’t hit that same level of popularity of her sister’s. Nonetheless, she starred in a considerable number of mostly more wholesome action movies and some comedy and horror ones. What struck me about her was her unlikely marriage with comedian Dennis Padilla who isn’t exactly someone expected to end up as her husband. It was like a message to all tambays in the kantos that said, “hey, man. Dreams/fantasies come true.” I felt bad that they eventually parted ways; but that was a pretty long marriage. In almost the same time in the 90s, Claudine broke through in that youth oriented TV show every 4:30 in the afternoon, “Ang TV”, along other first time teen and child actors and actresses, a group with which, she did not stay long because she would separately trace her track in sitcoms and later in soap operas. I often wondered why Rico Yan’s family would not let her visit in the actors wake despite her being in tears. Later, she gained weight. She got involved in that brawl with columnist Ramon Tulfo (which was all caught in tape) along with husband Raymart Santiago from whom she would have a messy separation. Then, there’s Julia.
According to the article, “Traditional Filipino Family Values that make us Distinct among Others”, “majority of Philippine population is bonded together by common values and traits that are first taught at home and being applied in our day to day lives”. It goes on with “Filipinos are known for having strong and close family ties. They place high regard and put importance on their family before anything else. They work all day and do all they can to feed and provide for their family.” “In the Philippines, they value their family so much that they keep them intact through the years.“ “One of the precious things Filipinos have is that they are respectful. Young, youth, people in all ages know how to show respect and courtesy. Some ways to show them are the use of “Po at Opo”, “Pagmamano” or putting the back of an elder’s hand on your forehead, and calling our older siblings or elders Ate or Kuya.” “Filipinos get along with different kinds of people. They can easily adjust to any situation and are flexible. This trait fosters cooperation, good and helpful deeds. When their neighbors are in trouble, they will help them in whatever they can. They also do not let their family members go through hard times alone, instead, they help each other.” “In a Filipino family, our parents usually cook for us, that’s what one of the ways on how they show their love. Also, through good and bad times, Filipinos always find a way to smile and be happy. Whatever the problem is, we are always reminded that our family’s always there to love and support us no matter what.” (https://medium.com ›)
Is this already a subject of history?
Why do families feud among each other? Inheritance? (I don’t think so with the Barrettos) But it was with the Ilusorioswhich pitted mother and three children versus three children, an internal family feud which involved qualified kidnapping, disinheriting, and separate funeral services among others. (https://www.townandcountry.ph) Is it politics? (still not so with the Barrettos) But we have one right here at home. Remember the Villafuertes? Remember when it was L-Ray and Migs versus patriarch Luis and the rest of the family. Now, they’re all together again which sometimes makes me wonder if it was all for real or for show. So, what’s the deal with the sisters and other family members? What is it all for? Popularity? If they look at it the positive and entrepreneurial side, the sisters could actually cash in on this. Who’s up for “Keeping up with the Barrettos” a la “Keeping up with the Kardacians”. Imagine whose show business careers would be revived.
The sad thing about this is that this is a big slap on the face of the Filipino family values that we hold in pride of. The research “the present and future of the family “ by Stella P. Go blames the disintegration of the family on urbanization and industrialization or perhaps its kin, influence of Western culture. (https://www.jstor.org) Whatever it is, the question remains, where is the Filipino family?
“Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins”
Proverbs 10:12