Catcalling is never ok. In Quezon City, you could even be jailed for it. Turns out not everyone knows that, though, because a dorm poster recently discovered at a Quezon City university is now being slammed for using an inappropriate phrase to invite prospective tenants.
Netizen Michael Pio (@peioris) tweeted a photo of the controversial poster on his account over the weekend. The poster appears to have been taped on a bulletin board at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.
Pio wrote in his caption in Filipino: “Why did OVCCA approve this ad that appeared on a bulletin board in one of the jeepney stops?”
“OVCCA” stands for Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, an office at the UP Diliman. According to its official website, it’s responsible for ensuring “a safe, clean, orderly, and peaceful environment for the UP Diliman community.”
What made Pio upset was the language used in the poster, which translates into: “Hi sexy, yes you! Are you looking for a dorm here at UP? Let’s talk.”
paano pumayag yung ovcca na may ganitong ad sa bulletin board ng jeepney stops pic.twitter.com/AQTsMLLUUO
— michael pio (@peioris) January 19, 2019
Pio’s post has received 1,400 likes and 247 retweets as of this article’s posting.
Pio added that he has already asked for assistance from the University Student Council (USC) which told him that they will be seeking clarification from the OVCCA.
He also wrote: [S]exual harassment in any form should not be welcome anywhere.”
offices are closed today but i’ve already asked for assistance from the usc this afternoon! they’ll be asking for clarification from ovcca (abt how it got approved i think?) as well as the removal of the fliers soon
sexual harassment in any form should never be welcome anywhere
— michael pio (@peioris) January 19, 2019
The OVCCA responded to Pio yesterday and apologized for approving the poster. They also said they will take it down.
We sincerely apologize for the oversight. The announcements/posters will now be taken down.
— OVCCA_UP Diliman (@OVCCA_UPD) January 21, 2019
Coconuts Manila called the OVCCA and they said that the poster has been removed. They also said that they are indeed responsible for the approval of posters that are put up in all waiting sheds in the entire UP Diliman campus.
Netizens didn’t like the language used in the poster. @daniellesydney_ said she found it “disturbing.”
@mattalunan remember when i pointed this out sayo??? huhuhu :((( its so disturbing
— dani (@daniellesydney_) January 19, 2019
@potwoooooooo went after OVCCA and wrote that approving this posted implies that catcalling is ok.
@OVCCA_UPD You just allowed catcalling on print. Implications would be it’s okay to catcall WHEN IT’S NOT.
— hongry (@potwoooooooo) January 19, 2019
@cesdlrrrr wrote: “What’s this nonsense?”
Anong kalokohan to???
— Spencer Hastings (@cesdlrrrr) January 19, 2019
Have you seen gender-insensitive language written in posters, advertisements, and fliers? Tell us by commenting below or tweeting to @CoconutsManila.
