The Lens: Celebrities should be allowed to make decisions without being scrutinised

Tina Lee Tin-yu, 17, Kowloon True Light School

Recently, K-pop idol Huh Yun-jin got flak for posing with a Starbucks coffee. Many found this problematic because the company is accused of aiding Israel in the war against Gaza. For celebrities like Huh to endure such backlash over a simple cup of coffee is unfair.

Celebrities should have the freedom to make their personal choices without facing excessive scrutiny or pressure. Maybe Huh truly relishes Starbucks coffee and prefers it.

I think it’s reasonable to consume the drink that fulfils your desires. Individuals should have the liberty to use the products they enjoy that meet their personal preferences, even if the brand is somewhat controversial.

It is unreasonable to expect celebrities to be aware of all the controversies surrounding every brand. Targeting them for seemingly trivial actions can take away from more significant issues. Celebrity purchases should not be seen as support for every aspect of a brand’s values. It is essential to distinguish between personal choices and political or social stances.

Boycotting as a form of protest can be effective under certain circumstances. Boycotts can put pressure on companies by impacting their reputation and financial performance. Successful boycotts have historically played a role in bringing attention to social and political issues.

Maurice Schweitzer, a professor of operations and information management at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, told the Los Angeles Times in 2018 that “most boycotts lack a sustained effort” as people lose interest or stop paying attention. Indeed, people are forgetful in this hectic life, and boycotting a store is usually not the best option.

Read more about this topic here

The Philippines is revisiting a bill requiring college and university students to participate in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). The move has sparked debates about whether it would effectively strengthen the country’s military as tensions grow in the South China Sea.

All full-time college students will receive two years of training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, coinciding with their studies. The Philippines already offers an ROTC programme that college students may take, but it is not mandatory.

Senator Robin Padilla, who revived the bill, said the Philippines’ situation was similar to Russia’s war with Ukraine.

He said regular Ukrainian citizens were helping their country survive conflict and emphasised the need to increase the military’s ranks if the government was to have a chance in a conflict against China.

A survey revealed that 77 per cent of Filipinos said they were willing to fight for their country in the event of a conflict.

In opposition, Senator Risa Hontiveros said that a mandatory ROTC programme would not put the country in the right direction and instead called for efforts to modernise the military.

“I think as the tension in the West Philippine Sea heats up, the most correct course of action for us as the Senate is to continue and judiciously increase support for military modernisation, especially for the Philippine Navy, and adjust other aspects of national defence,” she said.

Hontiveros added that smaller but more effective armed forces could be more strategic for the country’s national defence.

In addition, implementing a mandatory ROTC might become too costly, forcing competition for limited resources in the annual defence budget set by lawmakers.

• How would mandatory ROTC participation affect students in the Philippines ?

• Is mandatory military service needed for countries like the Philippines and Singapore? Explain.