By Louis ‘Barok’ C Biraogo — September 3, 2024
WHAT happens when a celebrity known for her glamour and wit jumps on the latest social media trend? You get Rhian Ramos and the “shimenet” craze. Her latest escapade has swept the nation faster than you can say “confidential funds,” leaving everyone wondering if she’s just embracing the trend or if there’s something more to it.
For those blissfully unaware (or perhaps living under a rock), the “shimenet” trend traces its origins to a delightful little moment during a budget hearing. Vice President Sara Duterte, caught in the throes of explaining her office’s rapid-fire spending of P125 million in confidential funds, delivered a line that, thanks to her Visayan accent, quickly became the stuff of internet legend. “She may not like my answer,” she declared, but what the world heard was a catchy, meme-ready, “shimenet.”
Now, it was only a matter of time before the ever-vigilant hawks of showbiz, like Rhian Ramos, spotted this juicy tidbit and seized it with the enthusiasm of a talentless DJ spotting an overplayed remix. And boy, did Rhian deliver. In an Instagram post that may very well go down in the annals of internet history (or at least in the Hall of Fame of Hastily Assembled Memes), she lip-synched to the “shimenet” phrase, complete with a remix of Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow.” Because, obviously, nothing says “political accountability” like a 2009 pop hit.
And isn’t it just wonderful? Here’s Rhian, leading the charge for a new kind of activism—the kind where you don’t actually have to do anything meaningful, but you sure look good while doing it. In fact, Ramos’ move is nothing short of genius. After all, why waste your time engaging in complex issues like, say, the misuse of government funds, when you can simply turn it into a trending video? If history has taught us anything, it’s that catchy phrases and viral dances are the true path to social change.
Let’s take a moment to commend the other celebrities who, like Ramos, have jumped aboard the “shimenet” express. Vice Ganda and Bela Padilla, we see you. Saab Magalona, with your witty captions during a facial, you’re truly a beacon of civic engagement. In the grand tradition of Hollywood stars like Charlie Chaplin taking on Hitler, or Jane Fonda’s Vietnam protests, these stars are bravely… well, lip-synching. But, hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?
Of course, there are those who might say that Ramos and her peers are trivializing a serious issue. But, let’s be real—serious issues are so 2010. Today’s world demands quick hits of dopamine, not drawn-out debates on government transparency. Besides, who needs policy discussions when you have a perfectly good remix to dance to?
For those still unconvinced of the genius behind Ramos’ “shimenet” move, consider the many historic moments where showbiz figures have steered the course of history. Remember when Madonna ended world hunger with “Like a Prayer”? Or when Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” solved gender inequality? Clearly, Rhian is just following in the footsteps of these giants, using her platform to elevate—nay, revolutionize—the conversation around government spending. Or at least to get a few more likes on Instagram.
But what about the potential downsides, you ask? Could this trend have any negative impact? Perhaps. Maybe it trivializes important political discourse. Maybe it reinforces the idea that public figures can shrug off criticism with a catchy tune and a viral video. Or maybe it just distracts from the real issues at hand. But who cares? It’s all in good fun—until it isn’t, of course.
So what should Rhian Ramos do next? Simple: keep riding the viral wave, baby. Maybe next time, she could lip-sync to Duterte’s next questionable defense, or perhaps even a TikTok dance to “due process.” And for the rest of the showbiz crowd, the advice is clear: don’t stop at “shimenet.” Keep mining the rich veins of political controversy for your next big hit. And as for Vice President Sara Duterte, maybe start practicing a few more catchy lines. After all, the next viral sensation is just one mispronunciation away.
In the end, it’s all just a big catfight—or should we say, “shimenet” fight? And who needs a reality show when you have Philippine politics? It’s like watching a reality show, except the stakes are a little higher. In a world where politics and showbiz are increasingly indistinguishable, the only thing left to do is laugh—before we inevitably cry.
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KWEBA ni BAROK 
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