Actress and screenwriter Bela Padilla tweeted a series of posts on Friday reacting to an anonymous online critic who called her “liberated.”
Many young Filipino women would not want to have such an adjective be used to describe them, mainly because the word carries sexual connotations in the Philippines. In many respects, “liberated” is a word that could be used to slut-shame a girl.
Padilla is a successful actress who has made a name for herself working in independent films. Her recent romantic movie Meet Me in St. Gallen did well at the box office and she is in the thick of shooting another movie titled The Day After Valentine’s.
Wrote the 27-year-old artist on Twitter: “I recently saw my name in a non-issue and was called ‘liberated.’ And that scared me a little because I grew up in a household where that term shouldn’t be attached to a woman. But I checked out what it really means and yes, I am free from social conventions and traditional ideas.”
I recently saw my name in a non issue and was called “liberated.” And that scared me a little because I grew up in a household where that term shouldnt be attached to a woman. But i checked out what it really means and yes, i am free from social conventions and traditional ideas.
— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) June 15, 2018
She continued: “I accept roles that are not always the typical damsel in distress who cries over everything. And although I do enjoy them, I love my weird films and strong independent characters too. Aside from that I can’t see how else I could be liberated because I’m at work literally everyday (sic).”
I accept roles that are not always the typical damsel in distress who cries over everything. And although i do enjoy them, i love my weird films and strong independent characters too. Aside from that i cant see how else i could be liberated because im at work literally everyday.
— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) June 15, 2018
She’s aware of the stigma that the word “liberated” has in the country, and said it herself: “I realize the stigma that the word has is strong in this country … Even I had a bad notion about it. But now that I can think for myself … I can’t think of what could possibly be wrong about being a woman who is free to express herself through her art and makes a decent living enough for her to enjoy and see the world. :)”
Ive never asked anybody else to pay for my trips. And at 27, this is quite long overdue. And to the young girls reading this, i admonish you to do the same at least once before you settle down. I realize the stigma that the word has is strong in this country.
— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) June 15, 2018
Even i had a bad notion about it. But now that i can think for myself….i cant think of what could possibly be wrong about being a woman who is free to express herself through her art and makes a decent living enough for her to enjoy and see the world. 🙂
— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) June 15, 2018
Many young actresses in the Philippines are marketed by their home studios and managers with a sweet and virginal image, to appeal to a larger demographic, many of whom are Catholic or hold sexually conservative views.
Actresses who have deviated from the norm are rare, and if so, face public criticism. Case in point is 24-year-old actress Nadine Lustre, who is rumored to be living with her loveteam partner and boyfriend James Reid.
A good way to measure the public’s perception towards Lustre is to read the comments sections of articles where she is featured. In a February Facebook post made by the Philippine Daily Inquirer for an article showing Lustre in a bikini, netizens slammed the young actress, with some comments bordering on slut-shaming.
Wrote a netizen by the name of Cynch Ruero: “She’s not as sweet and innocent after all.”
Another user by the name of Snowflake Oville, was more direct: “The hole is getting bigger everyday (sic)! He he he…”
A quick look at Lustre’s Instagram shows that she has disabled comments — likely a way to protect herself against critics, or “bashers,” a term used by industry insiders.
Padilla’s followers, however, are more understanding.
Responding to her series of tweets, user @KateOuano14 told Padilla in a mix of English and Filipino: “That’s maaaah girl. No need to explain my love. There are some people who are just narrow-minded. I love you and we love you.”
That’s maaaah girl😎👏 No need to explain my love. Mayroon lang talagang mga taong makikitid ang utak. I love you and we love youuuuu. ❤
— Keytttt🐘✨ (@KateOuano14) June 15, 2018
User @septembercharm supports Padilla as well and wrote: “Continue to be an inspiration to many young women and we admire your bravery in liberating yourself from the ugly side of the [sic] society’s standards.”
Continue to be an inspiration to many young women and we admire your bravery in liberating yourself from the ugly side of the society’s standards. @padillabela is someone we love, di ba Ate @ksteffi_ 😍
— SC (@septembercharm) June 15, 2018
Fan @m2ancheta sums up what many are thinking when she wrote: “I love your personality! You being weird and free-spirited brings out the charm in you.”
Myghad! I love your personality! You being weird and free-spirited brings out the charm in you. ❤️
— Mye♍️ (@m2ancheta) June 15, 2018
So bashers take note: Padilla is beyond your slut-shaming.
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