Have you heard about…?

 Gossip lies everywhere. At home, classrooms, offices, barber shop, not to mention in the mass media. Nobody can exactly tell the 5W`s and 1H of rumor mongering. Nor do I have any idea of its evolution and destination. Of course, gossip either true or not can lead one to fame or shame. In politics, it could destroy ones political agenda. In show business, however, a box-office hit. In a churchgoing public, notoriety and extreme ridicule on the victim`s part.

 

I just wonder whether Filipinos love for spreading rumors has been with us since the Spaniards set afoot unto our shores, or an offshoot of Spaniard-induced Filipino indolence, or Filipinos inherent talangka syndrome. Or of these three combined.

 

We often call them `mga taong walang magawa,` pakialamero, inggitero, or tsismoso`t tsismosa. Of which our kapitbahay`s are of no exception. Thus, we name-tagged one as Aling Maring CNN, or Besing ABS-CBN. Both busy themselves of making pulutan talk-of-the-town headlines and issues such as the mayor`s newbabe, the principal`s daughters bearing a child out of wedlock, or a certified playgirl`s new bf. With all of these and more over a cup of coffee, or while nibbling hair lices. But guess where have their sons and daughters have gone. From a pot sessions or from their rendezvous. These happen, really, ironically.

 

Over the years, I do not know what lies beneath the human psyche of these “idiotes.” Not until I have read from my favorite writer a very nice explanation about this. He explains gossiping as a mere expression of ego-tripping, which means a pitiful strategem of exalting oneself. Take the lines like “I`m not like her or him” or “I won`t ever do that. Never.” All in an effort to raise ones morale which is actually encapsuled in a thick jacket of insecurities. This is their only way to solicit praises and assurances at the expense of the subject. How awful to tie their untiring tongue on a knot.

 

 

How to get unaffected with rumors and intrigue?

 

Methinks, the best way is to do the right thing so that gossip will not advance an inch in ones life. Intrigues are always there so long as we are moving imperfectly. It is just a pity why people complain about their own limitations yet attack one another`s weaknesses and vulnerabilities. To the rumor-mongerers, let them eat their hearts out. They should realize they are what they talk about when put in a similar situation. Why can`t you just simply love people than love talking about them?!#Rodel C. Cuyco(written on Aug. 2000)