Harsh line or respecting boundaries

The viral video of Ms. Lea Salonga being approached inside her dressing room by a group of fans after her performance has become the talk of the town in the world of show business, particularly in the theater performances.

Although the situation is prevalent, it is especially common among devoted fans to go to great lengths to get in and meet their favorite actors so they can have their pictures taken. And although some artists would comply with this particular request, others have portrayed themselves as protecting and upholding their private spaces.

After the curtain call, when the entire cast and crew have taken their bows to express gratitude to the audience, as has been customary for decades, we entertain a brief time of reaching out to the audience to thank them, either collectively or individually. This is also a time for us to learn from them and receive critique before heading to the dressing room for a moment to ourselves to catch our breath and start getting ready for the next performance.

I understand Ms. Salonga's position as well as that of the fans'. Some people are fervent fans of the artists, viewing them as idols that are very capable and eager to go above and beyond for their followers because, after all, their popularity owes so much to their large following. So they would feel terrible if they weren't given this opportunity. The distinction between the artists' private and public lives has thus been muddled.

Ms. Salonga bluntly stated that a theater or concert ticket's price does not guarantee all-access; rather, it is paid for the performer's art, and that is the extent of its value. We can talk about a large and devoted fan base even though it is not as easy as it first appears. It is particularly challenging to change Filipinos’ psyche as they regard their idols as extensions of themselves because this is a long-standing cultural practice that appears to have the support of this industry. It would take much education to recognize that creative people require their own private areas, boundaries, and breathing room.

Each and every one of us has personal limits, and when they are crossed, there are repercussions. The boundaries and guidelines we establish for ourselves in relationships are known as personal boundaries. The ability to say "no" to others when necessary allows someone with healthy boundaries to be at ease with intimacy and close relationships.

To have wholesome relationships, one must have personal boundaries. Personal boundaries are crucial because they establish the fundamental principles of how we should be treated. The issue is that those who cross boundaries don't understand what those lines are. It is our responsibility to teach them about the boundaries we set for our own physical and emotional well-being.

Boundaries establish the acceptable behavior of others around us with a few straightforward, respectful standards. Perhaps we are attempting to determine how to respond to strange feelings we may be experiencing toward someone who may be pushing our psychological, physical, or emotional boundaries. The way we feel will tell us if we are being violated; pay attention to it and believe it, it's probably real.

Setting limits requires practice. It entails selecting what behavior is acceptable and what is not, as well as how to react if someone goes beyond our boundaries. Ultimately, after all, we aim for relationships that can be mutually respectful, acceptable, and loving by establishing clear limits.