I HAVE to admit that after almost 31 years in the media and public relations (PR) practice, April 7, 2024 was the first time I’ve met Sen. Lito Lapid up close and personal in Bacolod City.
I can still vividly remember that when I was a kid, our humble community in the poor village of Cudangdang in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental really idolized him being “Leon Guerrero” in the movies – a hero of the oppressed and nemesis of tyrants.
Then he became a politician, although from time to time he still appears in movies and television shows.
Lapid’s popularity as an action star is one factor that catapulted him to the world of politics.
Thus for intellectual snobs, it is as if he’s “stupid” or “dumb”. Harsh to hear.
During a press conference in Bacolod on April 7, I just observed and listened to him talk. Glad to note that he was also “game” in answering noteworthy and “stupid” questions from the media.
But what struck me most was the topic about online gaming addiction among the millennials. Quite shocking to note then that he dribbled the issue well and good, linking to the infamous electronic cockfighting, popularly known as e-sabong.
In the middle of his candid discussion on the topic, I asked myself: “Kaya n’ya ‘to?” Can he discuss this complex issue?
‘DISTASTEFUL PHENOMENON’
Lapid said he’s alarmed by the “distasteful phenomenon” that many millennials today are hooked to online gaming-slash-gambling.
As the sitting chairman of the Senate committee on games and amusements, alongside Sen. Raffy Tulfo, he already started probing the matter.
Then, he uttered this line: “Nakakasira na ito ng moralidad.”
Such line served as my cue to dig deeper on the issue.
DARK SIDE OF ONLINE GAMES
Let’s be honest. Playing games online dates back almost a decade ago. Such has both positive and negative effects or connotations.
The “dark side” of online games is the gambling issue but this remains debatable until now. For me, online gaming is a double-edged sword for the youth. It may harness the youth’s academic prowess and skills, but could also be a dangerous platform when there’s betting involved.
Lapid, therefore, wants to delve on the betting aspect with alleged conduit with e-wallet apps on smart phones accessible to young people.
Parents must be alarmed. Though quite a tricky matter to pierce, there’s now a message cautioning everyone that a new addiction (gambling) among youth could be a “disaster in the offing”.
I can sense from Lapid the eagerness and the determination to really fathom the issue. My admiration then to the “Leon Guerrero” of the Senate.
More so when he said that he is among the senators who have lots of sponsored bills.
Certainly, there’s something good or very good about this Lito Lapid. He’s definitely someone who has a heart. He feels the problems and acts on them.
The senator wants to be remembered by the masses as a feisty fighter for the sake of the oppressed (the youth) and against tyrants (online gaming predators).
Lapid ain’t stupid; he’s smart and impressive./PN
