Cross-clarity

agarciat@theguidon.com

Everyone knows who Pacman is.

He is considered the greatest professional boxer in his generation. Often dubbed as the Pambansang Kamao (National Fist), he epitomizes Filipino achievement across the globe. During his highly publicized matches, crime rates drop and the streets become empty, as millions tune in to watch Pacman defeat one top-ranking boxer after the other. Truly, this is a highly remarkable feat for any sportsman.

Back in September, Pacquiao expressed interest in a radio interview to run for vice president come 2016. His plans later proved to be impossible, since the constitution states that vice presidential candidates should be at least 40 years of age (Pacquiao will only be 37 by then). Nevertheless, the congressman is still determined to run for governor of Sarangani in 2013.

People remain divided over Pacman’s political ambitions. His loyal supporters believe that he will not give in to seedy deals and corrupt practices that the mudslinging world of Philippine politics is all too familiar with. On the other hand, critics remain apprehensive about his actual qualifications for the job, sans the celebrity status.

Given Pacquiao’s near-immaculate reputation in the Philippines, there is a good chance that he will succeed. He’s got what it takes to win the hearts of Filipinos: he’s a fierce symbol of national pride, a master of his craft, a devout Roman Catholic, and has a seeming sense of humility and an inspiring rags-to-riches story.

Celebrity politicians are not a new breed. Joseph Estrada, Tito Sotto and Ramon Revilla Sr. have all succeeded in securing government positions—and the amount of controversy they bring with them is also nothing new. It seems that with no greater qualification than their very celebrity, these people just resort to their fame to secure the hearts (and votes) of the masses.

This fusion between showbiz and politics shows that in today’s society, popularity trumps legitimate credentials. This says a lot about our nation’s collective consciousness: we let the idealized reputations and images of showbiz celebrities extend far beyond their actual industry.

In Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno’s The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception, the two philosophers argue that the modern entertainment industry uses stardom and celebrity to pacify the masses. Indeed, more and more celebrities are becoming multifaceted, dipping their feet into different pools of fame at the same time. This dominance of stardom presents real dangers to the social order.

The concept of shared meanings—where the audience develops a pseudo-relationship with celebrities—also applies to the Philippine situation. The masses see Pacquiao as a reachable hero, a source of hope and inspiration to alleviate real-life problems encountered in everyday situations.

The amount of recognition that Pacquiao’s been getting nowadays—as a world boxing champ or as an active partaker in the local showbiz scene—is both his greatest asset and the Filipino people’s foreshadowing to a great disillusionment.

It would therefore be wise for the people to see his popularity as something that should be heavily scrutinized, especially if he does decide to pursue the second highest position in government. Of course, that would be highly difficult, or perhaps impossible, task for many.