Pregnant radio DJ slams body shamer: ‘It defines you’

Photo: Nicole Hyala’s Instagram account.
Photo: Nicole Hyala’s Instagram account.

When will people learn that body shaming is never, ever acceptable?

Emmylou Gaite-Tinana, better known as DJ Nicole Hyala yesterday slammed a netizen who criticized her for proudly showcasing her pregnant body in a series of Instagram posts. She told her critic that she hopes his own mother will never be body-shamed.

In her statement, the Love Radio DJ used one of her photos from her maternity shoot and superimposed a screenshot of an objectionable comment from a netizen using the handle @patrickliamezzeden.

Speaking to Hyala about her photos which show off her belly, he wrote in a mix of English and Filipino: “Hello, it’s not wrong to post our photos on social media, but you’re not pretty and your belly button is ugly.”

 

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WARNING : LENGTHY POST ON BODY AND FACE SHAMING Before social media, bullying was something that can only be done face-to-face. However now, someone can be bullied online anonymously. These online attacks sometimes lead to deep mental scars. I get these attacks. Everyday. Since I made necessary management decisions in July. I know that there are many more who love me, compared to those who attack me. I am sure of that. Very sure. Face-shaming is horrible in itself, but I think body-shaming a pregnant woman is too much. The nature of my job makes me an easy target for criticism. I understand that. But I do not deserve it. Especially not for the changes that occured as I grow a human being inside my body. Hamakin niyo na ako sa lahat ng aspeto. Wag lang sa pagiging nanay ko. Dahil sumusobra na kayo. When my photographer asked if my belly button should be edited, or flattened out, I immediately answered with, “No.” I embrace all my body changes including developing umbilical hernia from my 1st pregnancy. And if having more children will make my body go through more changes, then I will be more than willing to embrace them. Having a baby is a blessing, a miracle in itself. And to you Patrick (even if this is just a poser account), I hope that your mother will NEVER have to go through body-shaming. I pray that you will be careful with your words next time. Because words can kill or heal. Ending with this quote from Dr. Steve Maraboli – “When you judge a woman by her appearance, it doesn’t define her. It defines you.”

A post shared by DJ Nicole Hyala (@nicolehyala) on

Despite the harshness of his words, @patrickliamezzeden said he meant no offense. He also presumed that like him, Hyala dishes negative comments about other people’s appearances, too.

Bullying her further, he added: “I mean no offense to you but we are living in a social media world where people can be nasty to other people and for sure, you are also nasty.

“Secondly, you’ve got the nerve to show the world how ugly you are, I mean come on, let’s just face it you’re just ordinary-looking.

“Third, don’t dare to call yourself a queen because you don’t even have the beauty. My gosh there are no ugly queens and most of all, queens have clean belly buttons. You’re crazy.”

To make matters worse, @patrickliamezzeden added the hashtag #ligwakpusodqueen which literally translates to “queen of the protruding belly button.”

The original photo that @patrickliamezzeden referred to first appeared four days ago. In that photo, Hyala wrote the caption: “A Queen can always turn pain into power. But remember this — never mess with a Queen who has a King who will protect her at all costs.”

Naturally, Hyala defended herself from the bullying and wrote that online attacks “sometimes lead to deep mental scars.”

In her statement, she also wrote in a mix of Englsish and Filipino: “I know that there are many more who love me, compared to those who attack me. I am sure of that. Very sure. Face-shaming is horrible in itself, but I think body-shaming a pregnant woman is too much.

“The nature of my job makes me an easy target for criticism. I understand that. But I do not deserve it. Especially not for the changes that occured (sic) as I grow a human being inside my body.

“Shame me in all aspects. But don’t shame my pregnancy because you’re too much.”

She then told her online basher: “I hope that your mother will NEVER have to go through body-shaming. I pray that you will be careful with your words next time.

“Because words can kill or heal. Ending with this quote from Dr. Steve Maraboli – ‘When you judge a woman by her appearance, it doesn’t define her. It defines you.'”

Hyala’s lengthy statement has largely drawn support from her followers and other netizens.

User @zhanamae wrote that Hyala’s critic shamed his own mother for what he wrote.

Photo: Nicole Hyala's Instagram account.
Photo: Nicole Hyala’s Instagram account.

Wrote @iamzaldyplaza in English and Filipino: “That was too much. He’s probably leading a sad life to say those words.”

Photo: Nicole Hyala's Instagram account.
Photo: Nicole Hyala’s Instagram account.

@zinosirian wrote: “For sure, your critic looks like a belly button. Leave him be. Karma is digital.”

Photo: Nicole Hyala's Instagram account.
Photo: Nicole Hyala’s Instagram account.

@nethskies doesn’t think that the bully’s comment matters. She wrote: “His opinion doesn’t matter at all…we are all queen (sic) and princess (sic) in our own world!!! It’s none of other people’s business what a person posts on her social media account. If you don’t like it, why leave such a [bad] comment?”

Photo: Nicole Hyala's Instagram account.
Photo: Nicole Hyala’s Instagram account.


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