The Man Behind The Icon

This is a well over-due blog entry that I've wanted to make ever since that faithful Friday morning (Manila time) last June 26. Good thing I have an early dismissal today.

We all know who Michael Jackson is. Not one of us never came into contact to his music and influence. Dancing very actively, standing on your toes, dancing like a zombie, wearing glittered apparel and all other things that MJ has influenced is a part of everyone's lives. (Well maybe except the infants at present time who I feel sorry for never knowing the king of Pop.) We all grew up (my generation) listening to our parents play Jackson 5 Christmas songs of course during the holiday season.

I'll say it. I am a fan of his music and not just because of his recent death but because I really was one. My favorite had to be Smooth Criminal and then the other songs followed.

But, for the past few weeks, people who criticized him for once sided with him and mourned his death. I even read an article at the daily news paper entitled "I am not a Michael Jackson fan" which is a great read I have to say. The author is saying that he never was a fan even with the recent death of the artist but he admits that he was influenced or as I can't put it into English "na daanan ng wave ng Michael Jackson".

Suddenly stories about MJ, good or bad, came out of nowhere and fans were suddenly brought to the world were MJ showed who he really was. One such article was forwarded to me by my godmother which was a very nice, touching and funny story that I did not know.

It was a story of a PR Officer in the Manila Hotel where the King of Pop stayed during his concert here. I found out that his concert was in December and the hotel was actually holding a charity event for orphans that they had broadcast to their guest.

On the day before the event, the PR Officer was visited by Michael Jackson's aide and he was asking if he could do anything to help in the Orphan's Charity event. And the PR had suggested that Michael join in the program by giving the kids the loot bags they had prepared and maybe share pictures with the kids. Jackson loved the idea and joined the event.

They are a lot more on the event that made the PR Officer who the man behind the icon was. I also realized that this man was really different when he wasn't signing. When he can, he will do something to help other people.

For all we know, other iconic stars out there maybe hiding another side to them. We sometimes can never really see who is that man behind the fame. And we always just appreciate people when they've already left this Earth.

Why is it that when people die, it is then we appreciate who they really are? -M. Lojo

PS: If you want to read the article just comment me about it. : )