Do you agree that most Pinoys will tend to believe "chismis" more than facts?

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan De Oro City:  “Chismis”, like wildfire, burns people. Pinoys tend to believe in it first then ask later. Never mind if it is false because, anyway, it’s only “chismis”.

Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: Some Filipinos would tend to believe “chismis” more, but a significant majority of Filipinos would tend to believe and rely on facts.

It’s frustrating

Jerry Panela, Metro Manila: It’s frustrating! With all the information readily available and verifiable, some still opt to forward stupid text messages instead of checking its veracity first.

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: I agree, that is why there’s more gossip tabloids which most Pinoys patronize rather than reading broadsheetsand, even in the text messages, they tend to believe every bit and piece of rumor, rather than checking out the news in any website.

It’s in our culture

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: If the reference is to the number of Pinoys who are cheated by the dugo-dugo gang, swindled by illegal recruiters, duped by alluring beauties or macho dancers, being “sold” on movie star reporters’ write-ups, or becoming patrons of products and services endorsed by celebrities, and those who believe in agimat, dwende or tikbalang, yes, most Pinoys tend to believe in “chismis” more than facts. Anyhow, many people around the world also follow what they have been taught without taking time to examine. Just look at the many Christian celebrations and you will be shocked that they were originally pagan and way, way off to the teachings of Jesus Christ and yet they survive to this day.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: It is very evident among Filipinos who seem to disregard cold hard facts and prefer “chismis” instead.

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur:  This is all part of our culture. Yes, I believe that when we hear something, it is channeled to another’s ears without caution and without verifying the real essence of the story. In the barrios, this is a very common phenomenon.

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: It is an old culture that influences most Pinoys to believe in “chismis” and, eventually, it became an industry among showbi people.

I beg to disagree

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: No more, the majority of the Filipinos nowadays are educated and well-informed on what is true or not due to the availability of various forms of media.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: There’s no truth to the rumor that Pinoys believe in gossip. “Chismis” lang po yan. Ang totoo, ang naniniwala sa sabi-sabi, walang bait sa sarili. Truly?

It has wings

Lee Ann Yabut, Metro Manila: Yes, it’s much easier to believe in “chismis”.

Marites Sanchez, Metro Manila: Yes, mas madali kasi kumalat ang “chismis” eh.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Sadly, yes, because Pinoys are too emotional to believe “chismis”, which normally arrive first before the facts.

“Chismis” makes the world go round

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Hay naku, ‘pag tsismis o chika, number one ang Pinoy, lalo na ‘pag showbiz or society people. I tell you, even business personalities like it, too. Stress buster siguro ito.

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: Agree. Whether it’s true or not, to most Pinoys, “chismis” makes the world go round.

Joni Ferreras, Metro Manila: Agree.

Not interested in the truth

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Yes, more Filipinos are interested in “chismis” rather than uncovering the truth. That’s why the Philippines is like one big movie industry.

Mary Anne Bandico, Metro Manila: Yes, kahit ano pa yan “chismis” na ’yan, never naniniwala ang Pinoys sa fact kung gusto manira.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: It is really bothersome to note that people are drifting towards the easy acceptance of myth as truth. We seem to have reached a point where we are overly engrossed with innuendo and gossip, on speculations and rumors. Even the supposed news we read in dailies and hear on TV is perceived as factual, even though it is unsubstantiated. We are dangerously moving towards a make-believe world where myth rather than truth prevails.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: True, most Pinoys tend to believe gossip, and even lies, more than facts. That’s why showbiz “chismis” programs thrive on TV, radio and magazines.

A way of life

Felix Ramento, USA: Oh, yes, it’s our way of life. We even glorify media personalities whose fame is to banter whether true or not misfortunes of other people, especially celebrities.

Adrian Catral, Quezon City: Kung naging pagkain lang ang tsismis, heto na sana ang ginawa kong almusal, pananghalian at hapunan. Tsismis is in all corners of the globe and we are no exception.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: I agree that most Pinoys will tend to believe “chismis” more than facts. It has become a way of life.

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: I would say that about 90 per cent of Pinoys tend to believe “chismis” more than facts because we are born that way. It’s a way of life here, especially for those who don’t have a job and just hang out the whole day. I would say that 80 per cent of these are mostly women, because it’s in their blood, like being suspechosa, usiseras and naggers. The rest of the male “chismosos” are either gay or insecure Pinoys.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: The word “usi” would not have been coined if Pinoys were not such “tsismosos/tsismosas”. In fact, Pinoys are more interested in talking about people. The more devastating, the better; otherwise, it is not sensational. Favorite topics are movie gossip, the personal lives of politicians. The nation’s problems are only secondary, ummp! We’ve gotten so used to difficulty and hardship, probably, that’s why gruesome news, though shocking, becomes part of our everyday lives. What’s wrong with us? No one believes the truth, until it becomes a personal experience. Truly Pinoy.

Janice Nacario De Lima, Metro Manila: He he he, likas na tsisimoso’t tsismosa ang Pinoys. Sabi nga ng mga ibang lahi, “Pinoys like rumors just to have something to say”.

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Most Pinoys tend to believe “chismis” more than facts kasi nakagawian na since time immemorial. Minana na natin yan sa mapamahiin nating mga lolo at lola. Kaya ang dami-dami nating columnists na ang hilig-hilig magsulat ng “chismis” kaysa totoong balita at prank texters na mga Pinoy na walang magawa’t nagkakalat ng lagim sa cellphone nila.

Survey says

Pat Cuilan, Benguet: It seems so, based both on Inbox comments and poll survey results on given issues.

Spice of life

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Believe it or not, I know who is who in our barangay. Though I know their names, I cannot recognize them in person. I just heard of them in some “chismis” when I go to the store, barbershops or have drinks with some friends. Maybe everybody in the barangay believes that “chismis” is just a spice of life they cannot live without.

Nescel Panes, Passi City, Iloilo:  It’s true. “Chismis” is part of our daily routine, from our houses to our workplaces, to the malls, streets, market, and every corner. That is part of our social life. It’s unavoidable because people get used to doing it everyday.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: How else would there be a proliferation of tabloids, an endless encroachment of celebrity people’s lives, a battle of showbiz talk shows, if not for the Pinoy’s penchant for rumors?

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: Sa “chismis”, matakasan man ang katotohanan, hindi ang radiation. Health experts warn that long conversations on cell phones (i.e. “chismis”, superstition, etc.) can damage the brain cells.

We don’t totally depend on it

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: “Chismis” has become a part of our daily lives, whether we’re in the Philippines or outside. We love it but we don’t totally depend on it.

Idle minds

R. Torres, Zamboanga City: Yes, indeed. That’s what Filipinos do when they have nothing to do with their lives. They love to listen to the grapevine rather than contributing by earning a living.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: It is the Filipinos’ preoccupation. Majority have small minds and small minds talk about gossip. Those top-rating TV talk shows are not about the hosts’ ability to attract an audience, but it is their trash-talking ability. Even our politicians use “chismis” to sling mud at their opponents. They hire highly-paid rumormongers to spread rumors. And they are respectably called “PR managers”. Rumormongers and pranksters are twins.

Larry Parroco, Quezon City: Pinoys’ penchant for “chismis” shows in the creativity of their wild imagination. Nagmumukhang totoo ang tsismis. It can be a favorite pastime.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: In the absence of a job and better things to do, there’s always a tendency to turn “chismis” into facts when done repeatedly within a day.

Pitts Hizon, Pampanga: Yes, “chismis” is the favorite menu, lalo na yung walang magawa sa buhay. They thrive on the miseries and misfortune of others.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: “Chismis” or gossip is idle talk about the personal or private affairs of others. It is one of the oldest and most common means of sharing facts and views but tends to be erroneous and malicious. With the advent of modern technology, it has evolved. Gossiping is most prevalent among Filipinos because of the popularity of cell phones and too much idle time. An example of one such irresponsible message is about the Japanese radiation fallout that was supposed to reach Philippine shores at 4:00pm last March 14. Gossip travels faster than light, but it disappears just as quickly.

Dr. Francis Regalado, Manila: Yes, especially, the dumb and happy masses that find solace in such activities. I still blame it on rotten government officials who are much worse than these gossipers.

Where there’s smoke

Alvin Galindez, Metro Manila: We can’t simply downplay “chismis”. There’s a grain of truth in “chismis” that must be uncovered before it becomes big.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Yes, it may be the pastime of most Filipinos, but “chismis”, in reality, can sometimes open a can of worms.

Irresponsible

Kelvin Casamayor, Ilocos Sur: Just take a look at what happened last Monday, a state university suspended its classes and panic-buying of Betadine came as text messages that there will be radiation.

Feeble minds

Ed Gulmatico, Abu Dhabi: Yes, as the old saying goes, “Great people talk about ideas, average people talk about things, small people talk about other people.” Unluckily, we are a country where small people outnumber the great and average people by a 5:1 ratio. Ever wonder why we have political dynasties, hated but evil politicians still being voted upon and lingering onto power till the day they die? Who allowed them? The small people.

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: Because most are illiterate or semi-literate and are not used to critical thinking, Pinoys easily believe in and have a penchant for “chismis”.

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: There is truth to the “rumor” that Filipinos tend to believe in “chismis” and all kinds of information, true or false or unverified, especially if repeated many times. Look at that text message after some nuclear reactors in Japan exploded, which triggered panic in some people and children were sent home early because of it! This tendency of Filipinos is even exploited by politicians during election campaigns, when even facts are treated like “chismis”, because there is a certain technique in the way some people spread “chismis” and the gullible enjoy hearing these!

Claurense Somoso, Novaliches, Quezon City: Yes, Filipinos are easy believers. It’s one of our bad traits that we must eliminate.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Being gullible is in the Filipino psyche. Be it in the nearest corner store or the neighborhood barbershop, Filipinos love to engage in “chismis”. In fact, many marriages have failed because of it.

Norberto Robles, Taguig City: Yes, “chismis” won’t have much impact if only most of our people are discerning. Unfortunately, gullibility rules the day.

Take it with a grain of salt

Elmo Cruz, Manila: As the saying goes: “Ang maniwala sa sabi-sabi, walang bait sa sarili.” But play safe. Let the “chismis” enter in one ear and let it out from the other. Let it, however, register in your memory for your advantage, but be circumspect in having it come out of your mouth.

It depends

Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: It depends on two variables: The probability of the event to happen, and the credibility of the source.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

NEXT INBOX QUESTION: What to your mind is the best argument against the operation of a nuclear power plant in our country?

You may also email your views to: [email protected].

(Editor’s Note: We have just added another channel to reach Inbox World via the growing Facebook community. If you have a Facebook account, add up PhilStar Inbox and give us a glimpse of your views on raging issues of the day. Selected comments will be published in The Philippine STAR Inbox World. Readers may also post intriguing questions for other Inbox friends to comment on. See you there.)