Hannah Montana fans: Cool to be good

Author: Bibsy Carballo
Column: Meanderings

WHEN we went to watch Hannah Montana, the movie, we didn't know what to expect. We were curious how this takeoff from the Disney pre-teen television series became tremendously popular. And what we discovered was an even bigger surprise.

Since the series had become a worldwide phenomenon, where would it go but to celebrity Hannah Montana games, dolls, recording of songs, and now the movie? At the box office, Hannah Montana: The Movie grossed $17. 4 million on opening day, $32 million on opening weekend, to become #1 at the box office. As of today, it is the second most successful film based on a TV Teen series. Amazing. Even more so since the movie plot is overwhelmingly laden with values.

Miles Stewart from Tennessee is Hannah Montana, the famous teen celebrity. She seems to be overwhelmed by her popularity, losing sight of the life she has left behind. Lilly is disappointed in what is happening to her best friend Miles. So is her real life father Billy Ray Cyrus (playing himself in the movie) who decides to kidnap his daughter and bring her to Tennessee and perhaps get back to her senses.

Miles attends her grandmother's birthday, learns to ride her horse once again, develops romantic feelings for childhood friend Travis, and finds herself enjoying life as a country bumpkin. Upon learning that her little town is in danger of being gobbled up by big city developers, Miles finds herself promising to bring over Hannah Montana to do a special show that will earn millions to save the town.

Towards the end of the concert, however, Hannah takes off her disguise and confesses to the audience who she really is, and that she will stop being Hannah and be herself. The writer stalker who has been unearthing sordid morsels to write about her is moved by the revelation and is convinced by his two young daughters to give up that kind of life. The movie's end is yet another lesson in what being truthful will bring.

To us, this movie is just another in a long line of pictures coming from the United States that utilize the medium and current crazes to inculcate lessons, however subliminally, to the youth. We have seen these in the highly successful animated films Bolt, Wall-E, even Transformers that bring across positive values every step of the way for children. And now, the hit TV series and movie is doing the same for the pre-teen market. Gradually our youngsters are saying that it is no longer corny to be good. It is cool! Perhaps we in the Philippines can ourselves gather some lessons out of that?

BIG THINGS IN STORE FOR MARTHA JOY
MANY teeners can perhaps also learn some pointers from Martha Joy, the 18 year-old Eurasian singer of Chinese-Filipino-Portuguese descent who has chosen to return to her mother's homeland and pursue her dreams here. Unlike others who are in a hurry for stardom, she is happy with improving her craft and taking one step at a time. Statuesque and beautiful, clearly beauty titlist material, she also appears to be a well-grounded youngster who will be able to take fame responsibly.

After signing up with Viva Records last year, Martha Joy, a regular on Walang Tulugan and SOP, has released a first album produced by Christian de Walden of Hollywood who has also given hits to Sarah Geronimo, Claire de la Fuente, and Rachelle Ann Go.

As Martha Joy now joins the 13th World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA), we are not only hopeful that she will win; we are positive. In the past WCOPA international competitions, the Philippines has always come home with distinguished awards. Out of this year's delegation of 28 artists, clearly a handful will easily bag medals. Martha Joy is in the category of Grand Champion Vocalist of the World. Jed Madela won in that category in the past and now will perform in both opening (tomorrow July 20) and closing ceremonies July 25).

Joining competitions is nothing new to Martha having been started by her mom in piano at age four, and singing in classical and pop at age seven. As a child she won six first place awards in a span of weeks. At twelve, she won 1st Place in the Best Child Contemporary singer and Best Child Broadway singer category in an LA competition. Her biggest break came in 2007 when she placed finalist at 8th place in Canadian Idol at age 17.

This opened many doors and contacts for her. Debra Byrd, the vocal coach of American Idol was on hand, and special celebrity mentor was Enrique Iglesias with whom she closely bonded. We read that among the jurors of WCOPA this year are the directors of Casting from Disney Entertainment and Hannah Montana TV series, top Hollywood and New York Agents, and representatives from MTV. The world is just opening up for Martha and many of the Filipino candidates.

Email the author at bibsycarballo@yahoo. com.

Source: People's Journal