My cousins, titos and titas in the US watch the show. Some love it so much that they say they are likely to join the studio audience of Wowowee the next time they visit the Philippines. (I found out that subscribers of The Filipino Channel (TFC) get free passes and exclusive seats to Wowowee when they come to the studio).

My Tito Bodjie and Tita Bodjette are all praise for the show. They explain that Willy Revillame is a good person. They continue to rave about how the show helps so many poor people. It’s instant reward and gratification glorified on TV. It’s also concretely shows how lives can be changed with the whiff of Willy’s finger.

And that Pinoys abroad can take part in helping Pinoys in the Philippines by giving directly to Wowowee (so that’s the story behind all these Fil-Ams going to the studio and giving Willy dollars).

The show gives Pinoys abroad a vicarious (or sometimes direct) experience in helping out Pinoys at home. This is a feel good TV show. That’s what it is.

On the other hand, it breeds a mentality that placing your bets on a TV show or another person’s whims is the way to achieve your dreams. The mentality we should be breeding is for us to take fate into our own hands, making good for ourselves through discipline, creativity, hard and smart work.

In the meantime, my Tita Bodjette will continue to watch Wowowee and dream of joining the studio audience one day, give a couple of hundred dollars for a good cause.

Perhaps it is *some* help. But is it the help our countrymen need?

ka edong
wowed

I’d chat with fellow-pinoys, usually OFWs. One was traveling with her “amo” in a train in HK, another tending the cashbox in an Aremenian resto in LA’s Farmer’s market, another taking a break from their set at the hotel bar in Chengdu, while yet another was retailing some souvenirs in Toronto.

Then they’d ask: “Ikaw, dito ka ba nag-tatrabaho?”

Then I need to explain that I’m on tour.

Here’s where the common remark comes bugging me (get ready for this).

The OFW says : “Buti ka pa, pa-tour-tour lang…”

It puts me in an uncomfortable situation where they compare my leisure travels to their lack of it. I usually manage to just smile sheepishly and give a grunt or something. I haven’t figured out a more appropriate response to this remark.

Have you gotten this remark in your travels? What’s a good way to respond that isn’t offensive nor boastful?

ka edong
discomfort in your words