Note: This was originally written as an addendum to a Facebook post by a person I look up to, i.e., a senpai. I edited the screenshot of the OP’s post for privacy purposes and to translate some phrases to English. This is mostly aimed at Filipinos. For context of OP’s post and all the ruckus going on lately in PH social media, kindly read this and this.
I might as well add some of my thoughts to this…
The media we consume don’t automatically define who we are as people, as humans. That’s unless we let the media we enjoy define us, which is probably some people unknowingly do.
These people tend to accept the things being portrayed in films/TV series/books as they are, mostly not realizing what possible messages the creators/writers/directors/etc are trying to convey through their works. They see entertainment as, well, mere entertainment.
There’s a scene where the protagonists fight the bad guys with guns? A scene where the heroine avenges her father’s death by slicing people with her mighty katana? Lots of blood? Lots of violence? Lots of sex in between? Lots of cussing? Lots of excitement and enjoyment? I like all these?
Am I what I consume? Or, am I how I think of and do with what I consume?
Perhaps the fact that the Philippines has one of the highest numbers of porn site visits says something about us–that our society condemns topics such as sex and sexuality. (And, no, I’m not talking only about people’s sex stories.)
We don’t allow such subjects to permeate our everyday discussions. They are forbidden topics. So instead of addressing them in public sphere we hide ourselves through anonymity in the internet and fulfill our curiosities. How ironic it is that sex is seen both as a taboo and sacred thing.
But, maybe, people simply don’t want to talk about sexuality. It’s causing them discomfort.
And that’s the key–(all about) sex is stigmatized in our country. You mention “sex” out of the blue and people will turn their heads to look at you.
“Rascal.”
“His parents didn’t raise him properly.”
“What a whore.”
“Is she in heat?”
Our word association game is truly left behind. Can we really move forward with this kind of mentality?
I dare hope that we’re slowly changing, that we’re learning to accept and talk about “controversial” subjects, that we’re starting to do actual thinking, and that we’re eager to learn more about ourselves and accept who we are.
Let me close this with a food for thought:
Owl Memoria 