Let’s start off with the presence of politicians, who might very well be actual ‘fans.’ I am referring specifically to Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares. Not far from Colmenares are Lumad children (from the indigenous people of Muslim Mindanao), who are beneficiaries of the Tamang Panahon concert proceeds holding a sign with the words “#ALDUBLibrary4Lumads.
Eat Bulaga’s Ang Tamang Panahon was also a charity concert with proceeds going to the construction of “AlDub libraries” in schools nationwide. This is a good advocacy on the side of Eat Bulaga which is owned by TAPE, Inc. (Television And Production Exponents Philippines) to build libraries that will promote reading and improve the education of students. One who is more politically inclined can’t help but notice some circumstances of political nature.
Most people are genuinely skeptical about the appearance of various politicians in public functions. There is always the perception that politicians will exploit every opportunity for public exposure: from posters bearing their faces congratulating anyone’s accomplishments to paying for multi-million political ads and (celebrity) endorsers.
For those who are informed about Philippine society and politics, one can definitely connect the presence of Neri Colmenares and the Lumad children. Party-list Representative Colmenares has been associated with left-wing politics and has been aggressively addressing the injustices and atrocities allegedly done by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the Lumads. The Indigenous people of Muslim Mindanao have long been caught up in the war between the military and the NPA. The left-wing politicians have always been a staunch critic of the actions by the government (usually condemning it) and its on-going war with various armed rebel groups pushing for their ideologies and territorial claims.
We’ll now talk about the elephant in the room, Sotto hosting Kalyeserye. While there is a certain truth to Sotto’s words that AlDub – MaiDen will not support politicians, his mere appearance and hosting stint on the Eat Bulaga segment that popularized AlDub has already affected the people’s perception of him. In the recent BusinessWorld-SWS January 2016 Pre-Election Survey, Sotto was the No. 1 senatorial pic of respondents.
Sotto topping the surveys is quite contrary to what majority of politically concerned netizens think of him online. Those who picked Sotto as their senatorial candidate probably are oblivious to the issues that is haunting the senator. Are the survey respondents even aware of Sotto’s anti-Reproductive Health Law (artificial contraception) stance, his involvement in the budget cut intended for the implementation of the Reproductive Health Law, his alleged plagiarism, and his insertion of (online) libel in the Anti-Cybercrime Law which is open for potential abuse and the suppression of freedom of expression?
With Eat Bulaga dominating the ratings ‘game’ now more than ever thanks to the influence of AlDub, it seems that the love team’s ‘magic’ has also rubbed onto Sotto.
Although to his credit, Eat Bulaga has always been a big political promotion machinery for Sotto. While most politicians have to find ways to gain exposure on TV, Sotto does this with little or no expense and effort. On the contrary, he even gets paid as an Eat Bulaga host and employee of TAPE Inc. For him speaking on behalf of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza is not helping. It is better if this came from the two other hosts of Eat Bulaga rather than the host-politician.
Circumstantial as the examples given here might seem, AlDub – MaiDen is still being dragged down into politics or used by politicians for their own personal gain even if they don’t want to. As the embodiment of traditional politics, his recent controversies, and his conservative political stance, Sotto might actually be detrimental to politically-informed Filipinos.
There is a reason why most celebrities distance themselves from politics. Most people are generally skeptical and even cynical about politicians and the government. As much as possible, celebrities do things that will win supporters, especially if they are just starting. The last thing that a hot and upcoming celebrity would want is to loose supporters or let people turn against him or her simply because he or she got involved in politics.
There is an exception to the rule that most celebrities follow and that is in the form of the more outspoken politically-charged celebrities. Most of these celebrities are well-established, renowned, and have made a respectable name (or brand) for themselves with a more solid and forgiving fan-base. These celebrities use their ‘star-power’ and influence to push for various social and political advocacies and improve the state of the nation. AlDub is far from this exemption as the AlDub – MaiDen is just starting. They don’t need to be dragged down by the baggage by politics, specifically politicians using them for their political gains. Let’s hope TAPE Inc. becomes wise and know what to do.
