In the wacky world of international competitions, the introduction of fan votes to determine semi-finalists or medal contenders has us all scratching our heads.

Take beauty pageants, for instance, where we crown a “Miss Photogenic” or “Top Favorite” with the precision of a rigged slot machine. Forget about talent, poise, or intellect – it’s all about who can wrangle the most credit card votes. No wonder the Philippines consistently dominates, with a fanbase so robust they could make a toaster the next Miss Universe.

But imagine this lunacy extended to athletic competitions. Can you fathom a fan vote deciding which teams automatically advance to the finals or snag a medal? Suddenly, your national basketball team’s fate rests on how many selfies you’ve taken with your foam finger.

While no competition is perfect, it’s time we preserve the sanctity of skill-based contests. Let’s not allow commercialization to overshadow genuine talent and qualifications. Remember, in the grand arena of international competition, it’s not just about the money, it’s about the merit.