The Social Significance of AlDub

Beautiful comment from the abovementioned blog:

"I only started watching after I noticed my son’s laughter late at night when he would come home from work. i believe it helped him de-stress and when I saw the videos I noticed the lessons being taught and started following the “kalyeserye” too when I had time at home.

Read the comments posted here and I see various perspectives and levels of acceptance. A person has opinions based on how he / she filters information. A business person sees the commercial value of a thing, a romantic values the “kilig” factor, another would focus on its effect on modern day society, etc. I, as a parent and teacher nearing my senior years see it as a welcome change from the graphic violence bombarding us daily through newspapers and TV news programs. It helps us balance our view of human nature and of the Filipino soul. That instead of fear, we can have faith.

I personally do not see it as my need to escape from reality: I watch documentaries and news on local stations and cable TV, read biographies and other books which will add to my knowledge / understanding. What I find refreshing about this noontime segment is that as a baby boomer with a millennial son, there is something new that connects us despite our age gap.

Multi-generational families are now watching TV together and enjoying the same thing, interacting verbally, discussing possible scenarios to come. Young people are getting the chance to take a peek at how previous generations of Filipinos lived and loved. The effect is similar to a lesson in history minus the classroom, presented in a high-tech manner that reaches today’s generation.
It has bridged 3-4 generations easily, enabling people to appreciate and accept different views without them being forced on one another. The characters “speak” for whatever age group is represented. We are given the opportunity to watch and listen, think, then change how we treat one another.

The humor allows us to accept whatever hard truths may be presented. We Filipinos can laugh despite our troubles. It is a decision we make, an attitude that has enabled us to live through years of colonization, oppression, dissatisfaction. Not because we are blind, but because we resolve to see through the darkness and believe there is hope when we pursue what is good.

Parents do not have to preach as much anymore when reminding their children to be careful about relationships, to show respect. I read the comments also on various twitter accounts (my psychology background compels me… need to know what people are thinking, how they are affected) and find it so encouraging that young people are reflecting on their family relationships, what their parents / grandparents have been telling them, how important it is to follow good role models, be patient (“sa tamang panahon”), etc.

Sure beats sermonizing and enduring generation gap drama – “whatever” … rolling eyes… nonstop arguments…outright rebellion. (Feedback from parents / grandparents I have counseled).

So thank you, sirs, for writing and posting the article. it was informative, analytical, well-stated and most importantly written from the heart. God bless you for taking the time to speak for those who see this ongoing series for its value – bridging generations as well as different segments of our society, reflecting on our essence not as people from different regions speaking different dialects, but as a nation of Filipinos.

And if the network is benefited because of this, good for them – consider it a blessing – at least they are making effective and positive use of media."