Dionisia Pacquiao is having the time of her life. From being just the mother of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, she has become a celebrity of her own. Famous personalities grace her parties and she is appearing in a number of television shows. She may star in her own movie soon.
But what really makes her, in the world of celebrity, a diamond in the rough? Nothing, actually. She is not, by any stretch, pretty. She dances well but is not exceptional in it. Her singing does not make her stand out. And her humor is not something you have not heard elsewhere.
So she goes back to being just the mother of Manny Pacquiao. As such, and for doing what she does, she has become a curiosity. She may be a celebrity, but still a curiosity. And that is pretty sad, especially since she has absolutely no inkling that she is.
It is sad because the consequences of being a curiosity in this country, where showbiz is as influential as religion, is to be used, exploited and manipulated. Pray tell, would Dionisia draw a second glance had she not been the mother of Manny and thus a curiosity.
Of course Dionisia is being paid handsomely from the huge profits the showbiz, media and advertising moguls make out of her being a cheerful curiosity. So in a way she is also exploiting the exploiters.
But just because everyone walks away happy does not detract from the fact that Dionisia is being made the centerpiece in the curiosity circus where decency and good taste, and thus respect for human dignity, always come at a price.
Dionisia may only seem to be enjoying it because the poor woman, who knew only hardship all her life, never had it so good than now. Like her son, she has become very recognizable. People would call out her name at every public appearance. Nothing melts like a name called.
Yet seeing her on tv having a good time, you just cannot fully have a good time with her. The inherent honesty in all of us eventually pricks our conscience and makes us feel guilty and uncomfortable. What is sick society doing to this least of God’s creatures?
