IM A SELF-CONFESSED T.V. ADDICT! [kaya nga Masscom Student ako.]

I was a High School Sophomore then, when our teacher in Filipino started a weekly debate among us. Being opinionated as ever, I always tend to lead my group and be the spokesperson. Unfortunately, my team always gets the doubtful and uncertain side. Indeed we are unlucky because there are times when we are just arguing and fighting for our side even though we know we cannot win for the sake of the debate. So why am I telling you this? It’s just that one of the topics we’ve discuss always hits my mind whenever the subject matter ‘television and radio’ is raised and that was “Ano ang pipiliin mo? Ang mamuhay noon kung saan di pa laganap ang teknolohiya o ngayon na laganap na ang teknolohiya?”. At last, we’ve picked the winning answer for my group then has to defend the side, “Ngayon na laganap na ang teknolohiya…” and as a practice I am again the spokeswoman. I find my opponent’s answers full of hypocracy. He said that life is so simple and plain back then unlike now that’s why it would be better to live at those times where technology is not yet introduced to mankind. Hello?! Who would wish that he had lived before Alessandro Volta discovered electricity? No one perhaps, every one of us is enjoying the luxury of technology’s gifts. I’m starting to be annoyed with their safe pleas when I cracked a joke and said, “Ah basta, di ako mabubuhay ng walang T.V.!”. That’s when my teacher told us to stop the squabble.

My last retort was true; I am indeed a T.V. addict especially when I was still in High School. I can name every Kapamilya, Kabarkada or Kapuso shows at that moment. I even watch MARTIN L@TE at NITE and The 700 Club every midnight (proofs that I really am a nocturnal person). It may also be other people’s influence to me but I really enjoy watching television shows. One of our television set at home even has PIP (Picture in Picture) features. As for those reasons, I really enjoyed watching the documentary about the History of Philippine Television for I’m such a great fan. I’m very showbiz-oriented and that maybe one of the underlying principles why I took up Mass Communication. On the other hand, I almost forgot the other film which tackles the History of Philippine Radio. I don’t usually listen to the data lines but the documentary triggered my interest as it brought me into the waves. It oriented and edified me that radio is as important as the television that’s why I try to listen even to FM Stations in my cellular phone every night. It’s as amusing as the television, how can sound travel through waves? More over, how can this sounds produce unity in diversity? These means of communication really helped people to amalgamate for it has a larger scope compared to telephone lines and print media. Admit it, not everyone knows how to read but everyone knows how to speak. With the aid of broadcasting, equality among Filipinos came about. Everyone has been given the proper information not to mention the analogous entertainment.

Furthermore, we can’t deny the fact that Broadcast Media has a significant role in our society. We get informed, entertained and many more. Envisioning it ten years from now would be so difficult because of abrupt changes in the technology today. People may invent cellular televisions, micro-chip sized radios and many more… who knows? However, radio and television will always have the same function amidst innovations and that is to be a means of communication among the human race.