Do They Really Need To Brag?

I was watching the news the other night, and for some strange reason my wife and I always watch GMA 7’s “24 Oras“.  I remember when I still live in my parents house we would watch The news programs of ABS-CBN.  Any way, so there I was listening to the news anchor deliver the news when I suddenly realized…… that politicians and Television Networks here in the Philippines have one thing in common.  They love to brag!

Think about it.   When politician suddenly had the urged to fix a road, or put street lights up.  There’s a 100% chance of seeing a banner or a billboard next to that project with the damn politician’s face smiling and with along with it an announcement which usually starts with:  “A Quality Project of Hon. Mayor Juan Dela Cruz with the participation of Cong.  Juan Tamad“.  Am I right or Am I wrong?  Hell, even the President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can’t stop plastering her ‘noggin everywhere.  Specially if the street lights (which will last only a until the lights burn-out, then being forgotten until the next election) were put up because of her own initiative.  And this is a person who’s not running on the next election anymore.  Imagine, what will happen during election time.  But the worst grandstanding of all are the Tarpaulins used during the wake of some unfortunate dead person.  You’ll see it there on the side of the large tent-like tarpaulin “Tulong ni Konsehal Juana Katamara“.  Now, that really makes me puke.

In the case of the T.V. Networks here in the Philippines of course.  (Where else, really?)  The grandstanding is made by the news anchor, normally the female anchor.  They would show and tell how they have helped a hundred or so indigent school children, by donating a schoolbag complete with papers and pencils, maybe a box of crayons thrown in for good measure.  Of course the damn school bags won’t see the light of day if it doesn’t have the Networks logo, boldly emblazoned on the bag for the whole world to see.  I ask again, do they really need to brag about it?  Even the feeding programs can’t deny T.V. coverage.  So what if they feed a bunch of school children a bowl of rice porridge?  Every time I see this kind of segment I can’t help but turn off the television, or go to the restroom for awhile until their announcements of their heavenly acts are broadcast.  I say Bullshit!

Let’s get something straight, I am a kind person.  I’m happy for those kids.  I’m happy for those people who are being helped by their elected officials.  But what I can’t stand is the grandstanding of these officials and networks who gave their “help” to these poor people.  I remember what my mother taught me., “If you help a person, do so without expecting any reward or praise“.  Now that’s what I’m taliking about.  Why can’t they just give something, without broadcasting it to the whole world?  Of course they need it to get re elected and raised their ratings. But it’s way too much. It’s not helping anymore.  It’s bragging, and grandstanding to the lowest degree. Showing off their kindness, so that most people will elect them or tuned in to their network instead of the other.

Why don’t they try to help people, without those announcements?  It may not be good for them, politically or it will not make them more famous, but it will be great for their souls.

Just Thinking Out Loud!