‘BASTOS’ AT THE GRANDSTAND

AT THE ILOILO Freedom Grandstand yesterday morning during the opening program of Dinagyang Festival, a visibly irritated Mayor Jerry called out certain members of the audience to sit down, stop roaming around, stop talking to one another, and listen to the speeches of invited speakers and guests.

This unfortunate incident highlights a significant aspect of social and communication etiquette: the ethic of listening, particularly in formal or special gatherings.

Listening is a fundamental component of effective communication. It’s not just about hearing the words spoken, but also about understanding, respecting, and valuing the message and the speaker. In the context of special gatherings or events with invited speakers, this becomes even more pertinent.

Speakers often prepare, aiming to share valuable information, insights, or entertainment. Actively listening is a form of respect and acknowledgment of their efforts. Attentively listening to someone who is speaking is a sign of good manners.

In a public setting, individual behavior can influence others. Attentive listeners can set a positive example, fostering a more respectful and engaged audience overall.

Mayor Jerry’s call for attentiveness suggests a breakdown in these aspects of listening etiquette among the Dinagyang audience. Haslo!

Ayon sa aming bubuwit, most of the audience members at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand –except for the invited VIPs – were paying tourists (domestic and foreign). They bought prohibitively-priced tickets to sit comfortably at the grandstand. They were not Iloilo’s hoi polloi and were most likely not Ilonggos.

Did they understand the good mayor when he said, “Pungko anay kamo kun may gahambal. Binastos ina (gina obra ninyo). Aga pa kamo”?