Reclaiming the lost glory

There's no other way but up.

I came across this line when I was still in college. Though I can no longer place where I got it, I was reminded of this line after watching the forced eviction of Franzen in "Pinoy Big Brother" last Saturday night. I also find it applicable to the life story of former sexy star Stella Ruiz, which was featured in "Magpakailanman" last Thursday. Actually, we could all relate to it. True, you win some, you lose some. Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down. But the beauty in life is that there are many opportunities to rise from every failure. We could not possibly linger in the area where we stumbled. And so we get up and move on.

Which brings me to Franzen, who despite being a crowd favorite failed to win in the reality TV show.

Remember when I wrote about how much I wanted him to win because he is an underdog? I used to root for him, but recently, to my disappointment, he had become so full of himself. I guess it was last Thursday when I caught him boasting to Jason and Uma about how popular he had become. Oh well, he could have been joking only, but to me I find it very assuming of him. It's true he's popular, but I'm still not comfortable with that declaration. "If you are really good, don't talk about your accomplishments let others talk about them," my psychology professor would tell us back then. (That is why I'm so careful not to let praises I've received, every now and then, go into my head.)

I still don't understand why Franzen had become so hardheaded lately, violating rules again and again (the most recent of which was mouthing words to Cass during the 6th eviction night). Was it to catch the attention of the public as suggested by former housemate Bob who was also close to Franzen when they were still inside the house? Bob, in a presscon at Casino Filipino at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug last Saturday, surmised that Franzen might be doing all these to stand out. But did he really get the kind of attention he wanted?

As the voting between him and Cass was stopped last Wednesday by Kuya after the decision that Franzen should be forcibly evicted, the figures showed a big difference. Our "kakosa" got only about 13,000 while Cass garnered about 39,000 text votes. Did the public decide to junk Franzen because, like me, it was turned off by his actions inside the house recently? What a waste of opportunity for Franzen if that was the case.

His forced eviction has put an end to his dreams of winning. For the housemate who holds the record of garnering the most votes thrice, not even fans could save him. Now Franzen could only have himself to blame for the lost glory. The biggest question now is would he be able to gain back what he had just lost?

Still, if there was anything good that came out of it, that would be Franzen's acknowledgement before leaving the PBB house that he had learned a lot from his stay, which he would forever cherish. "Maraming salamat po sa mga lessons na itinuro niyo sa akin, sa mga chances na ibinibigay niyo sa akin...sa lahat lahat po," Franzen told Big Brother. I believe that people continue to fail not because they lack in ability or talent but rather because they refuse to accept that their failure is their doing. It is the ego of man that puts him down - not destiny. Now that Franzen has realized where he went wrong, I believe that it is easy for him to get up and continue his bid for stardom.

He appeared sincere in uttering those parting words. However, I have to admit that I have some doubts as I've seen the same look of sincerity in Hero Angeles' face before. But what has become of him now?

Remember how I also wrote last May that it was good that Hero became the Grand Questor in ABS-CBN's "Star Circle Quest" because it was easy to package him with his "champorado for noche buena" story that endeared him to fans? But look at what has happened to Hero? I believe he has become arrogant by declaring on national television that he and his brother could not find it in themselves to forgive TV host Cristy Fermin. Hero's camp claimed that her articles on him were below the belt and were personal attacks, prompting them to file a libel suit. Yet, the case was dismissed for lack of basis. I personally believe that the Angeleses should "let bygones be bygones." Of course, it is not easy to forgive and forget hurtful things done to us, but in showbiz, it is not good to speak with such finality. Yet, Hero did it. That was wrong. The name of the game is finding a middle ground. Hero must learn that while there is still time, lest he becomes a fallen "Hero" forever.

I'm making Hero as an example because deep in my heart I know and pray that he'd become successful. I love success stories and I was hoping Hero would be an addition so I voted for him during the quest. But I'm afraid he has failed me because his actions seemed to confirm that he has been eaten up by fame. That is why I'll prohibit myself from asking you personally to give Franzen another chance because I don't want to feel disappointed again, just like how I felt with Hero. I'll let you, dear reader, to do the deciding.

If there could be someone I'd love to support right now, it would be Stella Ruiz, the former sexy star who at the height of her popularity was so cocksure that she had forgotten about God. She even confronted her mother, asking why the latter kept on praying when it was she who was providing for their needs.

"Bakit Siya ba ang nagbigay sa yo nga pera? Dapat sa akin ka magpasalamat eh dahil ako ang nagbigay sayo nga lahat lahat," she once told her mother.

Oh my what a frightening statement! We have no right to question His will. But God really works in wondrous ways because when Stella's mother nearly died of a heart attack she realized that her wealth is nothing compared to the loss of a mother. That was when she decided to return to God's embrace. It was a feel-good story. In fact, it left tears in my eyes and painted a smile on my face. Now, she's back as a singer. With her positive disposition towards life and restored faith, I sincerely hope that Stella would be able to reclaim her lost glory in showbiz.

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Thanks for all the reactions to my column last week ("Lessons from Wowowee"). Telling me how you were touched by my story humbles me so much. It is good to know that somewhere out there, somebody is indeed reading me. Thank you to ABS-CBN's "Maayong Buntag Kapamilya" host, Rico Lucena, reading Penpoint first before anything else every Wednesday. Makahilak ko actually. React at [email protected] or text me at 09193194947. Also check out ryan_mark at blogs.com.