Eulyza S.

Ilao ARTS 1 X1
2015-09923 October 29, 2021

MODULE 3 Assessment: Minor Paper

Allocating time using television has been part of most of the Filipinos’ routine. We have been
fond of continuously watching episodes of different teleseryes most specially if it’s being played by
our favored celebrities. Statistics shows that in 2018, an average of 4.2 hours has been spent by
Filipino consumers per day in just watching the television. Because of their long exposure on the
media, celebrities became a big part and has major impact not only for us but also in the society.

Being a celebrity in the Philippines, open lots of gates of opportunities. The popularity they
gained automatically means that they can alter once opinions and or thoughts for a certain matter.
Many of these public figures open their own vlog accounts, restaurant, salon, and many other
different businesses expecting that they will be automatically get support from their followers and
fans. In addition, few of them already started entering the world of Art.

Art on its own is very vague. Up until now, there is no one definition that can explain exactly
what art really means. Because of this, many scholars take time, effort, and money in studying the
art. That is why, it is very controversial that a celebrity naturally receives a recognition compared to
those who studied Art for years.

Cultural capital is what shapes the mind of the people to instantly acknowledge the works of
a celebrity. It became part of our norms that the person you idolize can greatly influence your point
of view in life as well as the things you like. An example is when a certain celebrity runs for a position
in the government, many of its fan will automatically cast their vote to them even without analyzing
their skills and capabilities in running a place. The popularity that was already established under
their name is the exact reason why they can easily get a support from the community and create
their own cultural capital.

Being part of the dominant class means having a lot of connection. Making money out of art
is effortless on their end. The commodification of their art is greatly supported by those we called
cultural businessman who help legitimize their work and so was being sold at a higher price
compared to non-celebrity.

The current social milieu that we have right now where technology and social media is top of
the line, it is easy for these influencers who have thousands and millions of followers to showcase
their work and to put it in a trend. A simple post will acquire an immediate patronage and
recognition from its fans. Through this, their art can be easily known. If it receives great number of
audiences, it can also be reproduced through shirts, mugs and other possible things that could show
patronage like of those who are fans of BTS.

To clarify things, celebrities as an artist is not forbidden. It just that, it negates the belief in
our society that for you to be a “legitimate” artist, you must secure a degree in fine arts to receive
better compensation on your artwork more than those who did not have one. It shows that the art
market in our society is favorable only to those who have access to greater community. If we want
our country to gain artistic development, we should be more finical in distinguishing which art
deserves more recognition and value. We should not let the name of the artist affect our evaluation
and appreciation of the art.
References:

Reyes, Marc Eric & McCutcheon, Lynn. (2021). The Relationship of Celebrity Admiration to Social
Media Use among Filipino Youth: A Brief Report. North American Journal of Psychology. 23. 509-518.

Statista. (2021, June 21). Average time spent on media in a day Philippines 2018, by channel.
Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1097671/philippines-average-
time-spent-media-usage-by-channel/

Sison, S. (2015, October 1). The trouble with Filipino fanaticism. Rappler. Retrieved October 29, 2021,
from https://www.rappler.com/voices/imho/trouble-filipino-fanaticism