Host of morning show Umagang Kay Ganda (A Beautiful Morning) Anthony Taberna apologized yesterday after taking heat from netizens who criticized how he blamed a 19-year-old woman for getting raped.
“Never will I take the side of these demons. But I am aware that there are those who did not like my comment and my reminder, misinterpreted as victim-blaming. That was not my intention. I want to say that I am not blaming the victim for what happened,” Taberna said on TV yesterday.
“The criminal should be punished by law. I express my apologies to those who were hurt by my comment. I will be more careful next time,” he added.
On Tuesday, Taberna commented on a TV report about a 19-year-old woman who was gang-raped by men she met online.
“It’s not the first time that this happened. There have been so many incidents like this of eyeball meet-ups,” Taberna said. “What’s more dangerous is you not only go to that eyeball meet-up, you even went out for a drink. That’s the problem, that’s the hardest of all, especially since you’re drinking out with an all-male group.”
Taberna’s co-anchor Jeff Canoy rebutted and said that the responsibility should be placed on the perpetrator and not the victim.
“Usually, women are reminded to not go, to not drink. But the blame really should be on the man,” Canoy said. “If the woman says ‘no,’ that means no.”
That didn’t stop Taberna from getting the last word in before the next segment.
“…this should be a [warning] for future incidents. If you’re a woman, don’t enter a hole of evil-doers,” Taberna said.
Netizens took notice and called Taberna out for blaming the rape victim.
Spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo was the first to criticize the morning show.
“I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that this doesn’t make anyone’s morning — or life — more beautiful,” Severo tweeted in a mix of English and Tagalog.
So in today’s episode of @ukgdos, Anthony Taberna decided to victim-blame a woman who was gang raped. Oh, this man. I don’t think I’m alone in thinking na hindi nakagaganda ng umaga – at ng buhay! – ang mga ganitong tao sa TV. To quote Ang Larawan, “Paalam, Candida!”
— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) February 19, 2018
He said in his next tweet that the public deserves better than statements that normalize the “boys-will-be-boys mindset.”
“Rape doesn’t happen because victims put themselves in vulnerable situations, rape happens because rapists rape,” he said.
We deserve better than statements that normalize the boys-will-be-boys mindset. Rape doesn’t happen because victims put themselves in vulnerable situations, rape happens because rapists rape. pic.twitter.com/sMU03j7Dbl
— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) February 19, 2018
Netizen Lea Mels Roldan said that Taberna should resign and that no one should blame rape victims.
“Although, we need to remind to not talk to strangers, but blame the rapist and not not the victim!” Roldan tweeted.
Anthony Taberna should resign. Di dapat umuubra ganito sa Pilipinas. No way should you blame the victim. One should NOT rape anyone regardless. Although, we need to remind to not talk to strangers but blame the rapist not the victim!
— Lea Mels Roldan (@IamLeaMels) February 20, 2018
Some people did come to Taberna’s defense, however. Twitter user Kathe Varita said that Taberna’s comment was not an instance of victim blaming. “It’s more on being a responsible woman and not taking any chances,” she said.
I am on Anthony Taberna’s side. No, it is not victim blaming. It’s more on being a responsible woman and not taking any chances. I for one, dont go out on dates with strangers let alone drink with them. I dont even go out drinking with guy friends I know for a long time because
— artsyfartsy_meow (@kathevarita) February 21, 2018
The show’s Twitter account responded to the issue and said that they had brought the concern to Taberna’s attention. “Rest assured, we are addressing this matter,” the statement reads.
Thank you for your feedback. Umagang Kay Ganda values comments from its viewers and we have called the attention of Anthony Taberna on the concern you have raised. Rest assured, we are addressing this matter.
— Umagang Kay Ganda (@ukgdos) February 20, 2018
What do you guys think? Was it a case of victim-blaming or just a friendly warning from Taberna? Let us know what you think by commenting below or tweeting us your thoughts @coconutsmanila.
*All quotes translated into English
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