Passing of the Silver Spoons: Excuse of the Wealthy

MIA DOROTHY MARCOS

Lest be those who take advantage of connections! Let it be known that others deserve that spot as well. Born with a silver spoon, celebrities tend to have it all – so how does that make us, us who lived “normal,” in our society?

Trusted within the industries of Hollywood are the well-born expectations towards them, that will cultivate and create artists of different magnitudes. As people go by everyday lives, development garnered by experience, surely those of celebrities thread the same fate.

But no, apparently some are “appointed.” “Gifted.” “Meant for this,” seemingly deserving citizens to be handed opportunities. Those that’ll help their careers and imagery, boost up their way into the world’s unmentioned hierarchy of “who tops who.”

In the sense of “nepo-babies,” commonly referred to as early celebrities shining under the industry due to their relatives, it is certainly unfair. While some actors from the bottom have to climb their way to the top just to land a huge role, numerous still have gotten a prior skip due to their family names. Numerous can be named after the act of nepotism, but we may pinpoint those who could’ve done a lot better with their connections.

Prior example? The announcement of the short film Let Me Go (The Right Way).

After the said announcement, one may notice that the cast all have a common denominator: each have at least one celebrity relative. Hopper Penn (Sean Penn’s son), Brian D’Arcy James (nephew of Brian Kelly), have been casted for the movie, directed by Destry

Spielberg (Steven Spielberg’s daughter) and written by Owen King (Stephen King’s son).

Now, this may be easily overlooked by people not following said entertainment industry. However, as much as they got the big guns all-in in this movie, the lack of reviews pretty much screams nepotism. Not only that, but the comments, under DiscussingFilm’s twitter announcement of the movie, also served sarcasm with most of it pertaining, “Wow, I wonder how they got in (the movie)?”

Leave it to the well-knowns for the job, I guess. Yet not all are so contingent in this privilege.

Though most are clear children of famous personalities, some are literally born for the role with the use of their hard work and talents. Jaden Smith takes this idea, as he started in the industry, co-starring with his father in movies such as The Pursuit of Happyness and After Earth. Later on followed his lead role in Karate Kid, which pretty much introduced him to the world. Another similar situation comes Dakota Johnson, who first started a minor role in Crazy in Alabama alongside her mother, Melanie Griffith. She then became lead for the reputable Fifty Shades of Grey.

It still may take a hint of taking advantage of the connections – yet we can conclude that some take pride in this, and others take the good out of it to push themselves into greater heights. Inevitable as it may, the reality of nepotism is inescapable in itself – but let it be known that there are still actors who act to earn their name in gold. Those who are not products of nepotism, we can name a few: Jennifer Lawrence, Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo, and more.

Jennifer Lawrence’s parents run a summer camp for kids, Mark Ruffalo’s family own a pizza place in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and both Brad Pitt and Ryan Reynolds have a humble background. Taking into this account – if you too aim on entering this industry – hard work and determination could still lead up to a hardearned role, and maybe soon to be a flourishing career. It may be common to see nepo-babies time to time, let this be a reminder that the world is not black and white, but different shades of grey (yes, pun intended). Some are fed silver spoons, some are not. Some are born with talent, some are not.

And in the case of partiality, some may have it all, some have to earn it all. Nevertheless, we have different ways to strive to the top – and it is up to you to be the one to disprove the prevalence of nepotism as a whole. However, living like them is kind of a blessing and a curse. Blessing in the sense where they don’t have to put their all in order to climb up the ladder and a curse because they need to maintain their dignity, integrity and fame. To the youth of today’s generation, whether a nepo-baby or not, bear in mind that you are the one who walks your path and not the people or factors surrounding you. therefore, walk based on what you think is best.

To what extent will one shall wait

Long is the road on said journey

Thriving grief one holds on thy spine

MIA DOROTHY MARCOS

By the coastal roads pass the gate

Of the treacherous path one is yet to take

For they will say “Is this what fear can create?”

IwishI knew. I didn’t know that we would end up wishing for a shooting star desperately beseeching for an altered ending.

A different fusion of light would have been the most beautiful sight to see that night, but it was nothing on you—you hold the clear skies in the morning, you cry like gray clouds, you light up the empty dark streets; you are the whole of it. I just couldn’t fathom how a person like you, so ethereal and free, was holding hands with me underneath the dimmed sidewalk while we were strolling bound for the unknown.

“Kung naay shooting star karon, unsa pud imo i-wish?” You asked and we immediately looked at the sky waiting for at least one out of the million stars to glide down. “Siguro, magwish ako ng time machine. Balikan ko lang yung nangyari last September 6 and siguro sana nagstay na lang tayo sa boarding house.”

We were silent after that, just gazed at the sky, while we slowly gripped our hands tighter and harder like they were superglued. Distinctly, after several minutes of waiting for a shooting star, we were denied of chances. Still, with the beauty of the night sky and the sweet heat of your breath, I could live forever in that moment.

“Tabang!” We heard this from afar, two blocks away from where we were. There were two motorcycles that seemed to be in a drag race for driving so fast. On the quick moment they passed us, a streak of reflection of light had flashed before my eyes.

The reflection seemed like a knife as there were blood droplets on the pavement.

Our hearts were pounding. We ran to the victims to try to help them but they were nowhere to be found. Only the ambulance and the police cars were left at the crime scene. We kept asking the people and authorities there about the incident, but they were not responding to us.

As soon as I heard a muffled voice calling your name, you disappeared in my hands. I followed that voice and I ended up on a police talking, “Gina-revive pa daw si John sa St. Elizabeth, pero ang sabay daw niya kay dead on arrival.”

The surroundings and the road became once again a dark feared place as the ambulance and police cars vanished in thin air. It was just all a memory from the past—the past that caused horror and an unfortunate event that took your life.

Walking alone here in the streets of Uhaw does really open the doors of danger. But tonight, I’ll take all the risks, wait for a shooting star, and wish to never let the night of September 6 happen. I wish I knew.

Yet one is brimming with worry

Held on to the past, with no goodbyes

“I don’t want to grow up!”

Oh how time flies