A commentary on Brandon Espiritu's offensive remarks acknowledges the anger but argues the real issue is colonial mentality embedded in Filipino beauty standards, celebrity culture, and class dynamics. The speaker questions whether pageant outrage distracts from urgent problems like flood control and elections.
Can we talk about the Brandon Espiritu issue without losing the bigger picture? Because yes, what he has said is offensive, and yes, the anger is valid. But I also think that the moment exposed deeper issues than one person's words. It exposed how colonial mentality still lives in Filipino society, in beauty standards, in pageantry, celebrity, culture, class, and even how we treat foreigners, especially white foreigners. Let's be honest, the idea of the AFAM as a savior exists for a reason. Many Filipinos have been conditioned to think of whiteness and foreignness as status, escape, and superiority. But that very same power dynamic can also create harm, exploitation, sex trafficking, online sexual abuse, and the entitlement some foreigners feel when they enter our communities. And let's not forget, that superiority complex did not come from nowhere. It was planted through colonization, extraction, religion, media, and generations of being taught that we are somehow less than. So yes, I understand the uproar, but I also don't want us to stop at the identity issue alone. Because Filipino identity is complicated. Mixed-race Filipinos, diaspora Filipinos, local Filipinos, we need a more honest conversation than simply asking, "Who is Filipino?" But while we are all fighting over Brandon, what is happening to the flood control issue? Ilan pa lang ang nakakulong, ang dami nilang kasabot, di ba? What is happening in the Senate? At sa darating na election, Sino ba talaga ang iboboto natin? Brandon is not worth all of our energy. But maybe he triggered something useful in us. Maybe he reminded us that there is still so much to unpack. Colonial mentality, colorism, class exploitation, and the way we choose our national distractions. And yes, I might get cancelled on this, but I think that pageantry is a little bit overrated. There, I said it. But don't get me wrong, I enjoy it too. Baklabanaman ako. What does pageantry materially do for us? How many advocacies have actually created lasting change? How many How many communities have been helped? What are the numbers? What are the results? Now, I'm not invalidating any effort that has been done on this end. I'm not saying there is no value. Representation matters. Joy matters. Pride matters. Pero ano ang aspeto na lipunan ang tunay na iyaho ng pageantry? At gaano ito kay piktivo? Just a thought. I am open to hearing different opinions 'cause honestly, I am ignorant on this. Pero sana, let's choose where we put our energies on. Outrage is powerful, but only if it leads somewhere. Salamat po.
