Bea Alonzo has recently spoken up on her diagnoses and how these affected her body image. Here’s the boon and bane of her public statement
Last week on Bea Alonzo’s vlog, she opened up to her audience the stories behind her Instagram posts. In a picture with beau Dominic Roque and their friends, the actress revealed the causes of her weight gain—PCOS and hyperthyroidism. Bea went on and explained that she is currently under medication and going through lifestyle changes to manage these two diagnoses. It was only barely a minute of casually addressing what’s up with her, but it’s worth a lengthy discussion on celebrities and their health. For one, does knowing these things about celebrities make them more relatable? Secondly, is it their responsibility to explain the changes in their appearance or their health?
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Knowing more, doing more
Bea is not alone in her move of shedding light on her health conditions. This month, Miles Ocampo gained the well wishes of fellow showbiz personalities and fans with her post on her health journey, which explained that she recently underwent surgery to take action on her papillary thyroid cancer. In the comments section, survivors also shared their own stories and experiences.
When celebrities with a big following take these concerns to their platforms, they aid their supporters and even the casual public to be more aware of certain conditions. Their own spaces can even serve as a way for people to engage, learn, and support one another.
Public beings as they are, they might carry this notion of having the responsibility to share their lives with the good, bad, and ugly altogether. In a way, this side of vulnerability helps to perceive our idols in a realer, more relatable image. Their fame and fortune do not shield them from the normalcy of sickness and other challenges that so-called “regular individuals” go through. And with that, we as fans find ways to learn and even help those who may be going through the same things our idols are experiencing.
Knowing more, saying more
On the other side of the coin, it’s not always easy for celebrities to address sensitive issues to the public. With their image in mind, especially their physical appearance on the line, it can be a lot for them, too. Of course, there are others like Angel Locsin who can handle the pressure by being surrounded by good people and having a healthier headspace.
In an interview with Ogie Diaz, the actress gave her thoughts on her weight gain, as well as treating her Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In her trademark assured and cool manner, Angel said, “I’m acknowledging [na] yes, malaki ako. Eh, ano naman ngayon? Bakit, may kawalan ba?” She then proceeded to elaborate that her perception of herself is not anchored on others, and she knows her worth.
The real life Darna was once subjected to judgment by netizens for her weight gain over the years. Some even took to social media their comments that Angel was “sayang.” Remarks like this make it harder for some public personalities to be honest and face the world without fear of being judged. To make matters worse, comments can be read by everyone. At the end of the day, we don’t know the gravity of our words to others, be it celebrities or not.
Taking everything into mind, health is never really an easy or comfortable topic to talk about, especially when you are in the spotlight. But with the ups and downs that come with the discussion of it, perhaps there’s no other way but to really address them. And who else can start awareness and understanding better than these personalities who have the power to influence and use their names and platforms for the better?
