A woman’s consent is an important issue that must be addressed, and it’s currently a hot topic locally after a confrontation that happened in the Saturday episode of local reality show Pilipinas Got Talent.
In the episode, the four-member dance group The Play Girls performed a number that had them sexily washing a car while wearing black bikinis.
Actress and judge Angel Locsin hit her buzzer just seconds after the performance started, an indication that she wanted them to stop.
“I can’t stand to watch you dancing in your underwear just for us. You’re too beautiful and you worked too hard to do this. If you have talent, show us that because talent is what we’re looking for here. Not body.” Locsin said in Filipino.
“That’s why I buzzed you. I don’t want you to be objectified. I look out for you too much to allow you to continue this and have men watch what you’re doing.”
Locsin’s fellow judge Vice Ganda questioned whether or not the performance could be considered a talent.
“I’m just bothered because I don’t know if car washing in your underwear is really a talent. If that’s really a talent, even if you’re in pajamas and in a veil, if your talent is unique, it will stand out,” he said in Filipino.
Judge Robin Padilla was more neutral about his stance and even said at first that he was delighted by the performance. After Locsin said her piece, Padilla asked the contestants if they were comfortable with what they did.
“Did you do that because you wanted to? Or was it done without your consent? [Answer] one by one because this is important so that other judges don’t think you were forced to do this,” Padilla said in Filipino.
“Do you like it that men are admiring you?” To which Locsin replied: “Are you serious?” visibly annoyed.
Only one member of the group, Camsi Sierra, was shown answering Padilla’s question; she said that they were ok with it.
“Yes, because for us, this is our talent,” she said in Filipino.
While Padilla said he enjoyed the performance, he noted that Locsin and Ganda had a point.
“Try to understand Angel because that is her advocacy, women’s rights. She said that because…,” Padilla said before Locsin cut her off. “To protect you,” she continued.
“I hope you understand that. No one is against you. Everything they said here is in your best interest,” Padilla continued.
However, Sierra was not pleased by Locin’s reaction, as seen in a Facebook post she posted on Saturday.
“Why did she cry? She should be thankful we even wore bras and panties,” she wrote in Filipino. “You played Darna and have a nude picture where you’re almost naked..Good thing you’re concerned about our skin when you aren’t about yours,” she said sarcastically.
Locsin played the Filipino comics superhero Darna in 2005 where she wore a two-piece costume that exposed her legs and midriff. She has also appeared in covers of men’s magazines.
Some people online have also criticized Losin for slut-shaming the women. Twitter user @dmraesguerra said: “lmfao. if @143redangel were really there to empower women such as playgirls, she could’ve refrained herself from slut shaming. it’s their body after all; and they loved and are proud of what they did.”
https://twitter.com/dmraesguerra/status/969953409531981824
But to this Locsin replied: “there is no such thing as a ‘slut’ or a ‘non-slut.’ There are WOMEN.”
https://twitter.com/143redangel/status/969998173526618112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pep.ph%2Fnews%2F69711%2Fangel-locsin-responds-to-slut-shaming-accusation-of-netizen-over-empgtemperformance
The group did not proceed to the next round because Locsin and Ganda gave them a “no.” Padilla, and former ABS-CBN executive Freddie M. Garcia, who is also a judge, voted “yes.”
What do you think? Was Locsin right? Or was it a form of slut shaming? Let us know in the comments section below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.
