Judy Ann Santos and Meralco

Personally, I was a bit surprised when I saw Judy Ann doing an infomercial for Meralco. Surprising that such an actress with a generally likeable and “masa” image have gone and made a commercial defending an indefensible issue. Indefensible given the fact that almost all Filipinos are on watch and slowly simmering, waiting if this hoopla about Meralco’s alleged overcharging ever bears fruit and we all can get refunds from our bills. And now they put a face for all Filipinos to identify and channel this irritation, this anger for being “overcharged” by Meralco. It is the innocent face of Juday, unfortunately.

When I saw her in the infomercials, the thoughts going through my mind : “Everyone has a price”… “Juday is going to get it from the Pinoys… too bad, tsk..” Sorry for being somewhat “judgmental”, Juday.

For can one help it if one thinks that Juday has been paid a hefty fee for doing this commercial on something so hot an issue? Did she realize that she is going against most Filipinos’ natural tendency to go refute everything Meralco says on the issue since they (the Filipinos) are suffering stakeholders in the grand (Meralco) scheme of things?

I heard Juday is “devastated” by all the negative reaction from the masses. Did she expect less? Was she coaxed, forced or threatened to do this commercial? Did she think that her popularity can really help diffuse the Pinoys’ demand for transparency (and if possible, refund) from Meralco, without her being lumped together with the company? I am not angry or anything here. I have an inkling that she has been convinced and/or used to do the commercial, without benefit of good advice and sufficient time to think everything over. Hey, this is not a matter of endorsing a brand of shampoo, slimming capsules, nor a set of plastic wares. Not by a long shot..

Pity. I truly admired her, her wholesome “masa” image, and with the latest good film Ploning… tsk, tsk… But nonetheless, for you Juday, remember that this, too, shall pass… Cheer up, face up and defend yourself if need be. Move on and be wiser for the experience.

Now, on the matter of Meralco. It is a good thing that I, myself, is yet incapable of generating my own electricity to power up all the appliances that we have, including this laptop, the dsl modem, the tv, ref, stereo, so on…. For if only I can generate my own (or if I can go back to prehistoric times where electricity is yet to be discovered), siguro nagpaputol na ko ng kuryente. But until then, I must retain your “services”