Lea Salonga reminds youth: Instead of posting disappearing stories, ‘live real life as it happens’

Image: Instagram/@msleasalonga

The dawn of the multimedia messaging app Snapchat brought about the format of disappearing stories — messages ranging from text input, photos and videos which are designed to be available to view for only 24 hours. Due to its popularity among the youth, Instagram and Facebook adopted the same concept in their respective platforms.

Lea Salonga took to Twitter to express her sentiments regarding the popularity of these disappearing stories.

“Dear young ones that enjoy making IG/FB stories, as fine and good as all that is, please remember to live real life as it happens without having to video it,” said the singer earlier this week. “That is all.”

Dear young ones that enjoy making IG/FB stories, as fine and good as all that is, please remember to live real life as it happens without having to video it. That is all.

— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 22, 2018

One fan, Tin Samson (@wickedtin), replied to Salonga’s tweet, agreeing with her. The fan recounted a story of a family going on a trip wherein all had been busy taking photos and videos for their Instagram Stories instead of actually bonding. Salonga then said that she doesn’t get why people are enthralled with the prospect of disappearing stories.

Haaaaaaaay. To be honest, I don't get the stories part. I get IG, but why even take a video and post if it's only going to disappear?

— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 22, 2018

The fan replied to explain to Salonga the reasons why some like to share the disappearing stories. “#FeedGoals. Hahaha! Para hindi masira yung feed. I guess there are things some wanna share but not keep permanently on their feed. Or mabilisang sharing without thinking of captions. It can also be fun to look at for those viewing,” said the fan. To which Salonga responded by saying that she still doesn’t get it.

I still don't get it.

— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 22, 2018

Another fan, Xia Dee (@xiamaranan), tried to explain why the youth love disappearing stories. She said that while these photos and videos aren’t of much value at the present, they are still keepsakes as they can be saved.

“I totally understand taking photos to keep for the long haul. I love doing that too,” the singer replied to the fan. Salonga then proceeded to making a hugot about the excessive use of Instagram Stories and their subsequent disappearance after 24 hours: “But when it’s excessive, and then disappears… nag-effort pa, mawawala naman din.” (But when it’s excessive, and then disappears… [you] exerted effort [in taking photos and videos], yet [these disappearing stories] will be gone anyway).

I totally understand taking photos to keep for the long haul. I love doing that too. But when it’s excessive, and then disappears… nag-effort pa, mawawala naman din.

— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 23, 2018

This is not the first time the topic of enjoying real life as it is versus taking photos and videos as souvenirs is brought up. In 2015, an elderly woman was captured enjoying the premiere of the movie “Black Mass” in Boston amidst a sea of people holding their gadgets up. The photo of the unknown elderly lady, who was dubbed as an online hero, became a reminder for the world to live real life as it is. JB

RELATED STORIES

Lea Salonga on her final ‘Island’ performances, return to H’wood Bowl

Lea Salonga appeals for love, acceptance towards LGBT youth amid news of teen suicide