FEATURE: GMA 7 Artists Espouse Family Values Amidst Post Pandemic Woes

The “Balik-Yuhum” MassKara Festival 2022, while perpetuating the “fiesta mentality” of celebrating at all costs after more than two years of systemic social relapse on all sides wrought by the unexpected COVID-19 and variants worldwide, has some good side to it. The unconscious escapism it brought offers that “one-time-big-time” pleasure to the informal sector of Bacolod City. While “fiestas” seek to distract or diversify from the root causes of a crisis, it cannot be denied that the existential reprieve from the unpleasant realities is its positive consequence.

As families especially in the informal sector bleed, Bacolod City is thankful that four young GMA 7 Kapuso Sparkle Artists visited them, bringing with them uplifting and heartening messages. They are Bianca Umali, Ruru Madrid (Running Man Philippines), Derrick Monasterio, and Elle Villanueva (both, Return to Paradise). In a media conference last October 21, 2022 at the Planta Centro Bacolod Hotel and Residences, they came up with a message for families to revisit their values, be resilient and solidify amidst the slow process of post-pandemic healing.

As the wound slit starts to regenerate, Bianca Umali hit the nail on the head by advancing her message of “humanity, equality and hope”, a dousing of cool water to the present New Normal social conditions that need to be uplifted from increased marginalization, inequality, exclusion, discrimination and unemployment in the medium and long term. “Lolong and Running Man Philippines” star Ruru Madrid, added “prosperity” which served as a realistic asymmetrical balance to what Bianca knowledgeably articulated, owing partly to her stint as World Vision Ambassador for Education. A policy for prosperity as Ruru intimated must be in place for the reduction of quantitative and qualitative poverty, a social vicious cycle perpetuated by the fiesta mentality.

The discourse went deeper when both Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva articulated specifically the family values that their series “Return to Paradise” had offered to people longing for a respite. The storyline appears to be quite symbolic of the grim milestone and disparate impact all had to suffer.

Observed, using the medium of touch, kiss, and feel, the “Return to Paradise” story started with the characters’ “isolation” on an island after tragic sea wreckage and how they have to deal with the issues at hand. Then, came the “socialization” after their rescue coupled with the “permeation” of an unrealized family vendetta. Finally, this is unknown to the audience at this point is the “resolution” appositely referred to as the “return” of Red and Eden (Derrick and Elle) to “paradise”, a notion of pastoral imagery where contentment abounds. Would the resolution be an idyllic ending, a Romeo and Juliet tragedy, or will it use a literary device of a “mysteriously bitin” ending?

Given their limitation to reveal the ending, Elle explained that the audience will “expect the unexpected” while Derrick stressed on character developments, there will be characters that would learn their lessons by choice, force, and circumstances and end up beatifically good.

Gleaning from the thoughts of both Elle and Derrick, “Return to Paradise” is an apt reminder to all that while the surrounding social conditions and the future remained uncontrolled, attitudes and adjustments are within everyone’s control. Dreadful situations can allow family resilience and solidarity to shine through and there are always ways to make the best of even the worst situations.

Watch “Return to Paradise” on GMA 7 every 3:25 afternoon prime time and Running Man Philippines every Saturday at 7:15 p.m., and Sunday at 7:50 p.m.* (Gil Alfredo B. Severino)