The power of a simple 'thank you'

Thank you.

These are two words that some of us take for granted especially in this age where we do multi-tasking and are preoccupied with so many activities in our dizzying world.

In 2002, I wrote a piece on how a simple thank you can warm the cockles of a writer’s heart if a subject who had received a positive write-up responds even with a text message to say thanks.

Of course, there is no law requiring celebrities to do that. But there will be a lot more peace in the world of entertainment if people in this profession learned to perform such gracious gesture.

Perhaps esteemed movie journalist Mario Bautista would have gone easier on Carla Abellana had she bothered to thank him for all those wonderful reviews he showered on her in the past. I myself read those write-ups and maybe Carla could have gone out of her way to thank Mario even for just one of those pieces.

Had she done that, I’m sure Mario would have continued nurturing this soft spot in his heart for her. The communication flow between them could have been more fluid. They could have easily resolved whatever issues they have between them. Mario would never have reached boiling point had Carla shown appreciation earlier. But it’s too late now.

The truth is, I’ve always had this fondness for Carla since her grandmother, Delia Razon, asked me to look after her in GMA 7. Carla, in turn, would be pleasant and sweet whenever we see each other within the network vicinities.

However, she never really was the type to say thank you for positive reviews heaped on her. And I was particularly generous with my praises for her performance in the Punerarya episode of the last edition of Shake, Rattle & Roll.

In a way, I am not completely blaming her for not showing appreciation. Maybe she doesn’t read and this is one defense TV and movie stars resort to in order to avoid getting emotionally bruised every time there are negative issues pertaining to them.

This trick actually works and those who don’t want to get hurt are advised to avoid reading nasty tabloids and Twitter accounts of people who have nothing nice to say about showbiz stars.

But they should require the people handling their careers to do the monitoring for them. Irrelevant issues that will only ruin their day  they don’t have to know. Serious concerns  those should be addressed, especially if it is for the betterment of their careers.

If something positive had been written about them, they should be told to say thank you to the writer. Really, a text message would suffice. Unfortunately, even their managers and handlers  even those assigned in the corporate world that run their careers  do not know any better.

This is the reason why I salute Marian Rivera. She knows how to say thank you even for the littlest nice thing you say about her.

I’ve been asked a hundred times by people outside of showbiz if she really is difficult  as she was often pictured by her detractors. Oh, she definitely had bad press. Why do you think showbiz outsiders never tire asking me if she truly is quarrelsome?

My answer to that? I never experienced anything unpleasant in any of my dealings with her  as in never. On the contrary, she is the most approachable and accommodating among the young showbiz stars today.

If ever she got into any fight, I suspect that she had been provoked. Maybe patience is not one of her virtues. But neither is she the type who would allow herself to be trampled on. It is her right to fight back.

My fondness for Marian began when I saw her audition for Marimar. I wrote about it and she in gratitude sent me a token with a little note. I no longer remember what was in that tiny package and what became of it, but I treasure the note that showed not only appreciation, but also respect. In return I also showered her with respect.

I can’t categorically state that we are close friends, but my respect for her will always be there.

It all started with two simple words: Thank you.