Gabriela commends Angel Locsin for stand vs objectification of women

"Gabriela commends movie/television star Angel Locsin for her firm stance against the objectification of women as exemplified by her recent statement in a local talent show on national TV," the group said in a statement over the weekend.

 

The group also called on more celebrities to help influence public opinion and promote women’s rights, which, it said, is "something that is badly needed, particularly today amid the misogyny wantonly being displayed by the highest officials of the land."

 

The Playgirls' sexy carwash audition on "Pilipinas Got Talent" caused controversy after Locsin and actor and celebrity judge Robin Padilla clashed over it. 

 

Locsin hit the red buzzer and rejected the group, explaining that she does not want the four-member Playgirls to be objectified. She and comedian Vice Ganda, moreover, noted that carwash dancing while wearing underwear is not exactly a talent.

 

“Kung may talent kayo, ‘yun ang ipakita niyo sa’min dahil talent ang hinahanap namin dito, hindi katawan. Kaya ko kayo binuzz, ayaw kong ma-objectify kayo, masyado ako nagmamalasakit para sa inyo para i-go ko ‘to,” she said during the talent show. 

 

READ: Angel reacts to accusation of 'slut-shaming' PGT contestants

 

Some netizens praised Locsin for standing up for women’s rights while others criticized her for allegedly “slut-shaming,” an activity generally understood to mean "stigmatizing a woman for engaging in behaviour judged to be promiscuous or sexually provocative."

 

Gabriela, moreover, said that women’s objectification is widespread because it is a profitable endeavor.

 

"It is one issue that past governments never bothered to address and which is now even abetted by the Duterte regime that uses crude sexism in order to pump up bloodlust among its minions or as a cheap ploy to garner public attention," the group said. 

 

Individuals and groups both at home and abroad have previously blasted Duterte for his remarks which they said "normalized" and "encouraged" objectification, rape and other forms of violence toward women.

 

Duterte's officials and supporters usually dismiss such remarks as instances of "sarcasm" or part of the president's supposed humor.

 

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque even said that feminists sometimes overreact to the chief executive’s statements and "should just laugh."

 

READ: Hontiveros calls out 'outbreak of sexism, misogyny' under Duterte