Rags to riches

Rags to riches refers to any situation in which a person rises from poverty to wealth, and in some cases from obscurity to fame—sometimes instantly. This is a common archetype in literature and popular culture (for example, the writings of Horatio Alger, Jr.).

Criticism

The concept of "Rags to riches" has been criticised by social reformers, revolutionaries, essayists and statisticians, who argue that only a handful of exceptionally capable and/or mainly lucky persons are actually able to travel the "rags to riches" road, being the great publicity given to such cases a natural Survivorship bias illusion, which help keep the masses of the working class and the working poor in line, preventing them from agitating for an overall collective change in the direction of social equality.

Pre-20th-century fictional examples

Allan K.

Allan Quilantang (born December 13, 1958 in Isabela, Negros Occidental) is a Filipino comedian, actor, singer and TV host. He is one of the co-hosts of the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!.

Career

Allan K's first appearance in Eat Bulaga! was in the segment "Bulagaan"; before joining the show he performed in bars, and in other countries.

He became a regular host of Eat Bulaga! with his own segment entitled "Allan Nose (knows) Best".

During his stay in Eat Bulaga!, one challenge for him was to walk from Tape office (Quezon City) to the church of Antipolo City (estimated distance: 16.8 km) and perform in the EB Babes' Bebot division competition.

Alongside Eat Bulaga!, Allan K was also a host of All Star K! The 1 Million Peso Videoke Challenge together with singer and host Jaya Ramsey, from 2004 to 2009.

He also previously hosted BandaOke with co-host Jaya Ramsey, and co-hosted the comedy talent show Comedy Bar with Eugene Domingo.

Allan K was also inducted into the "Philippines Eastwood City Walk of Fame" in 2014 for contributing his singing, acting, and hosting.