Sometimes, poverty means power

I grew up believing in the principle that "Pov-erty is not a hindrance to success." I'm sure you can't count with your fingers the successful people out there who have the rags-to-riches tale. Still, there are others who failed to rise above their sad plights because they are convinced that in this country the "rich become richer, the poor poorer." So, they are burdened with "what ifs" - what if they were born with a silver spoon, what if they were rich today, so on and so forth.

And then insecurity and self-pity will come into play. Some would curse their parents - and even the Lord for coming into this world destitute. To them, poverty is nothing but bad luck. But again, everything happens for a reason and when we don't get what we want, it only means God has prepared something bigger and better for us. And because nothing is permanent in this world, there are times when poverty becomes a blessing.

Take the case of "Pinoy Big Brother" housemate Franzen Fajardo, the Valenzuela City native, who cries recounting their destitute way of living every now and then in the ongoing ABS-CBN reality-based TV show. He may not have publicly acknowledged this, but I'm sure he was thankful he was born poor after my bet, Rico Barrero, was voted out last Saturday - to my surprise. And should Franzen be thankful? Of course! He must have understood by now that why he wasn't voted out was because the "masa" backed him for they could relate to his story.

I was not able to watch the voting out ceremony last Saturday that was why I was so surprised when I learn about the result through the Kapamilya's website. I expected it was Batangueño Racquel Reyes, who is the oldest of them all. She seemed so arrogant to me; a miss-know-it-all. I don't like her and majority of the viewers, for sure, feels the same way as I am. Last Saturday, Franzen and Racquel were recommended for eviction by their own housemates. Rico made it to the circle after Big Brother himself made the decision, citing the latter as very "pasaway."

Eleven housemates were in favor to let go of Racquel and seven for Franzen. They reasoned out that they wanted Racquel out because they couldn't relate with her, while they wanted to let go of Franzen so he could be reunited with his loved ones since he was already missing them so much.

Honestly, I was confident Rico would stay, thinking his inclusion on the possible evictees as intentional so as to hype up his popularity even more. Rico, after all, has the charm, the body to die for and the confidence. He was star material. But the public had spoken, giving him the lowest number of text votes. And I have no business contesting the judgment. I believe there are already projects lined up for Rico as he was as popular as Uma among the housemates. In fact, rumor has it that he'll be part of the upcoming ABS-CBN soap, "Gulong ng Palad."

I was never surprised that Franzen got 79% of the total number of text votes cast. That was because I knew his life story was a hit among Filipinos who have a flair for melodrama. His being an underdog drew empathy as he is like the majority of the Filipinos in many ways.

Remember Sandara Park? We fell for her for being an underdog in the first "Star Circle Quest" talent search what with her vulnerable face and she being the only foreigner. How about the "champorado story" of grand questor Hero Angeles? Oh, how we loved the revelation that Hero and his family had to settle for champorado for their noche buena because times were so hard. And for that, we kept our fingers crossed that Hero would win over Joross Gamboa. Now if Hero has the "champorado story" that endeared him to the "masa," then Franzen has his "lata ng sardinas" tale that he can bank on for drawing viewer support.

Actually, it is this "canned sardines" story - of how his whole family would have sardines for breakfast, lunch and dinner - that hooked my attention to Franzen. He would then reveal in succeeding days how his very own mother didn't love him, but he could not find in his heart any hatred towards her, how he was a battered child, and how hard life was in general. These were heavy revelations, but he has that look of sincerity and loneliness in his eyes every time he shares that you'd sense he wasn't making them up. Let's see how his story would work to his advantage. Will he survive? The power is in our hands.

After scanning their diaries in the show's official website, I was amazed reading about Franzen joking to JB that should he be voted out he hopes Big Brother has already prepared a contract for him that same night to be cast in a sitcom. A joke it may have been, but reading between the lines, it was clear he aspires to succeed. A devout Catholic, he only has his prayers as his fighting tool in a challenge that could make or break him forever. The initial feat of Franzen last weekend was actually a victory for us, poor people. It was an inspiring development that tells us that if we could only get our acts together, we could be the most powerful persons in this country. In the same breath, only if we unite for the common good, instead of indulging in political bickering, will there be a better future for the Philippines. Now, who says being poor means bad luck? Ah, there is power within us waiting to be unleashed if only we learn to be patient and optimistic - and couple it with prayers.

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Now that we're at it, here's a chance for the underprivileged but deserving individuals, age 18 to 23 years old, to attain a better future for themselves and their family. Be a Philippine National Police Academy cadet. Once you pass the exams, you will automatically receive education and training pay allowances.

To qualify you must be a natural born Filipino citizen, of good moral character; single and with no legal obligation to support a child or children; stands 5'4 for male and 5'2 for female; weighs not more or less than five kilos of the standard weight measurement corresponding to height, weight, age and sex. You should also be physically and mentally fit for cadetship training, no derogatory records, not a former cadet of PNPA or other service academies separated for cause or by reason of resignation and must pass the cadetship qualifying examination. For a free application form, drop by The FREEMAN office and look for Joy Bautista. Examination for Cebu applicants will be on October 30 at the Cebu Science and Technology Campus.

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Well, well, well. We surely have a lot of birthday celebrations within The FREEMAN this month. Happy natal day indeed to copy boy Roel Labrador (September 6), copy editor Rolex Olmedo (September 8), editor-in-chief Jerry S. Tundag (September 15), general manager Bhoy Mendoza (September 16), writer Jodybon Largo (September 17), reporter Liv Campo and Kidstuff editor Jad Conde (September 20). React at [email protected].