Word Power

Words spoken can never be taken back. They are like text messages sent to the wrong recipient, one could only hope that technological difficulties would somehow make the message disappear into thin air. Committing a Freudian slip is probably the worst thing that could happen to anyone doing a live newscast. A mispronounced word or a name is not entirely unpardonable. It only shows a lack of preparation on the part of the anchor person. I could willingly let it go. But what is so appalling is when some TV personalities make remarks that are hurtful, arrogant, judgmental and simply idiotic. It is a sad reality that Filipino TV personalities still need to educate themselves when it comes to political correctness. Asking an audience member if she still "works in Ermita" as a joke is totally unacceptable. I was watching Wowowee, a Filipino variety show shown on The Filipino Channel, when I heard Willie Revillame ask one woman from the audience just that. It shows stupidity on his part, which didn't really surprise me, but the fact that nobody seemed to get it, that dumbfounded me. Everyone was laughing as if he told the joke of the millenium. Are Filipino TV personalities so devoid of intelligence that they don't know what is accepted, civilized and decent? I believe that there are smart people out there who are not saying nor are they doing anything. The people who line up for hours just to be a part of the 3 hour show may be poor but they should never be made a punchline. They should never be the butt of anyone's jokes. I'm certain many people share the same sentiment. Please be a little more sensitive.