Gossip lies everywhere. At home, classrooms,
offices, barber shop, not to mention in the mass media. Nobody can exactly tell
the 5W`s and 1H of rumor mongering. Nor do I have any idea of its evolution and
destination. Of course, gossip either true or not can lead one to fame or
shame. In politics, it could destroy ones political agenda. In show business,
however, a box-office hit. In a churchgoing public, notoriety and extreme
ridicule on the victim`s part.
I just wonder whether
Filipinos love for spreading rumors has been with us since the Spaniards set
afoot unto our shores, or an offshoot of Spaniard-induced Filipino indolence,
or Filipinos inherent talangka syndrome. Or of these three combined.
We often call them `mga
taong walang magawa,` pakialamero, inggitero, or tsismoso`t tsismosa. Of which
our kapitbahay`s are of no exception. Thus, we name-tagged one as Aling Maring
CNN, or Besing ABS-CBN. Both busy themselves of making pulutan talk-of-the-town
headlines and issues such as the mayor`s newbabe, the principal`s daughters
bearing a child out of wedlock, or a certified playgirl`s new bf. With all of
these and more over a cup of coffee, or while nibbling hair lices. But guess
where have their sons and daughters have gone. From a pot sessions or from
their rendezvous. These happen, really, ironically.
Over the years, I do
not know what lies beneath the human psyche of these “idiotes.” Not until I
have read from my favorite writer a very nice explanation about this. He
explains gossiping as a mere expression of ego-tripping, which means a pitiful
strategem of exalting oneself. Take the lines like “I`m not like her or him” or
“I won`t ever do that. Never.” All in an effort to raise ones morale which is
actually encapsuled in a thick jacket of insecurities. This is their only way
to solicit praises and assurances at the expense of the subject. How awful to
tie their untiring tongue on a knot.
How to get unaffected
with rumors and intrigue?
Methinks, the best way
is to do the right thing so that gossip will not advance an inch in ones life.
Intrigues are always there so long as we are moving imperfectly. It is just a
pity why people complain about their own limitations yet attack one another`s
weaknesses and vulnerabilities. To the rumor-mongerers, let them eat their
hearts out. They should realize they are what they talk about when put in a
similar situation. Why can`t you just simply love people than love talking
about them?!#Rodel C. Cuyco(written on Aug. 2000)
