The past months have seen a glorious rejuvenation in morning television programming. Unorthodox GOOD MORNING KUYA^© (GMK), shown weekdays at 4:45 – 9:00 am on UNTV37, exhibits unto the viewing public just what all contemporaries of the genre must strive to signify: legitimate, unsolicited, non-profit public service.

Although the term ‘public service’ should always logically connote unconditional efforts in helping out the masses, our countrymen (and this may be true generally in all the world) have grown up with the notion that ‘public service’ comes with a price. Government officials, Film and TV Personalities, even leaders of the wealthy religious organizations tend to show up once in a long, long while to show their ‘goodwill’ unto men. But are they sincere, you ask? That, oh dear readers, is a no-brainer.

Feeding programs lasting half a day, medical missions short of medicine, and distribution of free shirts, hats, and even pens bearing their names are just a few of the ‘goodwill’ services pronounced by these people. But a not-so surprising fact is that these occur coinciding with an unofficial calendar – Pharisaic politicians seem to sprout from all directions months before arrival of the elections; hoping their names be remembered come that day. Action stars fly in. Helping out the helpless as the launching of their movies or TV series come a-knockin’; silently grimacing as they wish their Public Relations Officer made the right decision. Religious leaders strut into sight; giving out free canned goods only to see them in the same place weeks later holding an assembly. They then distribute envelopes for their much-coveted tithes and love-offerings.

Yes, the common man is already numb from the disappointment brought about by shattered promises made by desperate politicians and syndicalistic religious leaders. Worse, he cannot do anything about it. The common man is a financial and political wretch. His cries are simply insignificant to the men, women and pastors lounging around the country’s helm.

This tradition of hypocrisy surely must come to an end. And what better way to spark the plug than to be an epitome of the better cause?

Enter Mr. Public Service: Daniel Razon. The man is now endearingly called “Kuya” (‘big brother’ in the vernacular) by a rapidly growing number of people in the channels of the society; high or low. He has spent 20+ fruitful years in the broadcasting industry, traveling and meeting all kinds of people. Kuya Daniel discovered, and felt, the true needs of the man at the bottom of the social food chain. Adding inimitable moral guidance from his principled uncle and parents, it is safe to say that he is the double-edged, light-emitting needle in a haystack of media men and women. Through the words and deeds of Kuya Daniel Razon, the emotional calculus behind the act of sincerely serving the public manifests greatly. Having no desire for personal gain, be it fame or fortune or what not, he conceptualized GMK and molded it with the intent of providing people the tender, loving care that they deserve from the government and, more emphatically, their religious affiliations.

Every minute of the show is enriched with the unwavering will to minister unto the needy and lacking. Right off the bat, Kuya Daniel lays the GMK cards down — There is the free “Clinic ni Kuya” (Kuya’s Clinic) which caters unto our countrymen who are too poor to pay for medical bills thrown at them in the local hospitals. It offers various services: from general check-ups in different medical fields to minor operations. There have even been cases of patients suffering from tumors, situated in most uncomfortable creases of the body for 15 or so years, which were only recently removed through the free clinic due to their inability to pay the asking price anywhere else. There is also the “Law Center ni Kuya” (Kuya’s Law Center) which features the first ever free legal consultation service during weekdays at 5am – 5pm. GMK also boasts “Job Fair ni Kuya” (Kuya’s Job fair). Acting as an employment agency, this segment has already helped scores of people attain regular jobs; here and abroad. One of the offerings that have really opened the eyes of the public is the surge of free bus rides across the metro. A feat never achieved before by any kind of organization; most specifically the government. In calculation, the amount saved monthly by a passenger of the free rides is even greater than the added minimum monthly salary pleaded by the national unions. One also could not resist listening into the “Pondahan” (chill-out place) wherein no essence of discussion is impertinent. “Munting Pangarap” (modest wish) provides the lucky recipient with his/her request which mainly consists of an initial boost for his/her family’s livelihood. Kuya Daniel frequently asserts that if the contemporary shows and networks copy his concepts in this quest for absolute public service, then it is all the more beneficial for the people. This, which inevitably is a cliché in this write-up, is another first.

Writing about every detail of the show is tempting, the space WILL NOT be enough. Nevertheless, all these, and the other dozen or so segments, are testaments that public service is great fun and not a bore as we had been made to superficially believe. But then again, my writing skills are not enough to justify the glowing honesty of the show and its main host. It is also quite impossible to fully describe the joy I see in the faces of the public it wholeheartedly nourishes. Watching GMK is such a spiritual, enlightening, and hope-giving experience that it really is worth watching everyday.

The helplessness of the common Filipino is strongly evident. This is why it is not hard to imagine that every tear of joy and relief is worth the sacrifices undergone by those who fund the daily program. How lucky UNTV is for receiving the privilege and honor of having GMK broadcast under them. The theme for this show virtually cannot be maximized if its elements are laced with vested interests.

Another mark of how Kuya Daniel is such a standout is how he never thrives in the praises revered to him by the people he helps day in and day out. He never fails to remind them that all gratitude must be directed to the God above who inspires actions for the good of man. Oh, how humble he is for a man who has done so much! 

May GOOD MORNING KUYA^© realize its vision of extending its helping arms even into foreign lands. May the same go for the proven fact that you do not need to be a government official, nor a half-century old network station to address and augment the dire needs of your countrymen. Oh wait a minute…

They still haven’t.

Britney Spears’ 16-year-old sister is pregnant.

This is essentially what I read in a blog by nuttielicious a few minutes ago. I actually find it distasteful. Not the pregnancy per se, since we should always be grateful for the gift of new life. What is appalling to me is the obvious prevalence of these circumstances.

The girl even stated that both her boyfriend and her were shocked that she was pregnant. Also their mom went on record to say that she was, oh the clichés, shocked at first since her little girl was never late for curfew. What? Did I read it right?

First of all, can any couple, in all honest conscience, be shocked of a pregnancy knowing that they are sexually active? I assert not! Will you be shocked that a plant you’ve been happily fondling and irrigating bears flowers? Absurdus! And is it even sanely responsible for a parent to think that there would be no sex at all if a teenager abides by the curfew? Such lame, flour-pale excuses!

When will the parents of a lost young soul admit that their slipshod parenting was a huge factor in the child’s immature, yellow decisions?

When, oh when?

Why, oh why?