Ang Pagdadalaga ni Nanay DionisiaLeonor Magtolis Briones
Everyone knows who Nanay Dionisia is. She is none other than the mother of Philippine idol Manny Pacquiao who has become a media icon in her own right. If he is Pac-Man, she is Pac-Mom. The public agrees that “Kung wala si Mommy, wala si Manny!â€
As a celebrity, her every utterance is duly quoted; her gowns (one costs P30,000 ) and designer clothes counted and faithfully photographed; and the price of her Rolex wristwatch (P 300,000) transmitted to the avid public. She is captured by TV cameras laughing and talking on the phone, wearing eyeshades with the brand name “Dior†for all televiewers to see. Amidst smiles and titters, one media outfit excitedly reported about her lovelife and her suitors while Nanay smiled coyly.
During her birthday bash in General Santos City, national and local celebrities were invited. Guests watched her change her gowns a number of times and dance the night away. The event was covered by national multimedia.
At the tender age of 60 years she has come into full bloom and is enjoying every minute of her “pagdadalaga.â€
And why not? She richly deserves her “pagdadalaga.†She probably had no time for the fun things that young women enjoy, what with early marriage, two husbands who deserted her, and several children to raise by herself.
So why do I feel a twinge of uneasiness at the sight of Nanay Dionisia in her finery—clothes, jewelry, dancing shoes— in her new house surrounded by fans and admirers?
Why am I disturbed by this transformation which many say is well deserved and rightfully earned?
Transforming Nanay Dionisia The public knows that her son Manny and daughter-in-law Jinkee have lavished gifts and money on Nanay Dionisia. Like all celebrities, she attracts those who seek to bask in her glory and benefit from her newfound status. They see in her not only an object of adulation but also a possible source of profit.
One can imagine the number of “admirers†who volunteered to tutor and mentor her in her journey to the ranks of celebrity and high society. What gowns to wear, which jewelry to buy, and which beautician to patronize? What blingblings to give away? What furniture, décor and bric-a-brac to decorate the new house? What businesses to invest in?
The media has joined the fray. Behind amused smiles, they ask inane questions which elicit inane answers, in the name of “human interest.†They exaggerate aspects of her personality to amuse the public. Someone cleverly superimposed Nanay Dionisia’s face on the creations of international fashion designers to illustrate how she would look like in haute couture.
At the rate the media frenzy is going, she is in danger of becoming an object of amusement instead of an object of admiration.
Where is the real Nanay Dionisia? I am terribly afraid the public will lose the real Nanay Dionisia. It will be difficult to find her under the layers of frothy ball gowns, thick make up, stiletto heels and bouffant hairdos. One cannot easily find her behind the studied poses and the celebrity smiles.
I miss the plain-speaking, forthright, no-nonsense Nanay Dionisia who taught her children to pray, fed them, and brought them up all by herself. I miss the Nanay who scolded her son and declared that she did not want him to run for public office.
I hope she does not disappear.
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