| 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝘇𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗚. 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗼, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗛
There are pure souls who would grab every opportunity to rise from the hardships that they have to go through with their family. Meanwhile, they are forced to accept the fact that not every opportunity is for them. The reason is none other than the competition—the competition that the elites started. What is sad about it is that the poor and innocent cannot even stand a chance.
At this point in life, admitting that money can buy happiness is not even too debatable anymore. Money is not just currency, handed through paper bills and metal coins. Money is someone's key to survival, and my own experience is more than enough evidence of it.
I grew up as a child who related with other people on television, not the ones with glitz and glam, but those who shared their sad backstories on documentaries and reality shows. I knew at a young age that having a life with no financial worries can't be acquired that easily; it is something you have to truly fight for.
I wonder what the true definition of 'fight' is for other people. As for me, it can simply be seen everywhere: the rivalry between content creators with different purposes, the tension between students of different social classes applying for the same scholarship, and the drama between TV personalities of varying backgrounds in a reality show with hefty prize money.
I'm sure almost everyone has heard of Pinoy Big Brother's Celebrity Collab Edition. All of them have different motives which makes it hard not to look at the show as a battle between breadwinners and mere fame seekers.
At some point during the beginning of the show, one of the housemates made it clear that their reason for joining was to never let her family's series of debts happen again. As I look back on it, I am dumbfounded how that cannot be enough to appeal to some people's hearts. Does having money take their hearts away from them? Mine was shattered as the housemate reflected me in some way.
I start to think, are the netizens not in favor of that housemate because of her personality? Well, to be frank, she is more hardworking than others, humorous yet does not cross the line, and most importantly—true to herself. So, why do financially challenged individuals have to be constantly misunderstood by those with closed minds and a huge stack of cash?
There is no point in denying that others can be entirely brainwashed by their favorite personalities. They do not realize that their idols, whom they paint as innocent, can be silent manipulators who tug at their heartstrings—making them look as deserving as ever of whatever the grand prize is. In the show business industry, a notable amount of actors and actresses would do anything to get a shot at increased fame. Is this recognition of theirs worth it for a breadwinner in the industry to fall? I don't think so.
As someone who lives in a low-income household, I treat a lot of things as a luxury. With this, I learned to be careful with handling money and even find myself overthinking about it. My mind does not go at ease when I find out someone else's economic status goes beyond what I can even dream of. I do not overthink because of envy; it's simply out of perplexity. I ask myself how the rich choose to do this and that with their huge wealth. But most importantly, I ask myself how it is possible that their wealth and standing are not enough to satisfy them.
Some of those who we consider elites still stand in the way of others trying to achieve a comfortable life. It is all because life is a competition and it is utterly sad that this is how everything works now. As I said, I live a life far from comfortable—and I believe it's the reason why I developed an empathetic attitude, especially towards people like me. Even when life revolves around competitions, no one should ever hold it against me that I support the side that is close to 'home'.
For a few individuals, making themselves known to the world is something to live for. But for ordinary Filipinos, letting their family know that they are debt-free is something to die for.
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