posts in category opinion • show all posts
The utter hypocrisy of Filipinos in the face of sex scandals
Friday, June 12, 2020
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Some Filipinos are sex predators! There, I said it.
For sure there are those of you who probably disagree. But If that's the case, then at least I have your attention.
Well, let’s face it, as much as we like to insist that we’re a wholesome bunch, our actions pretty much speak for themselves.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but for the past consecutive years the Philippines has been one of the most sexually preoccupied countries in Asia, more than Japan. Pornhub stats can attest to that. Sexual crimes such as sextortion have been blatantly happening in the country, but we've had enough.
Welcome to our TED talk
In the country, people scour the depths of Facebook and Twitter just to find sex scandals— some people even ask video links publicly without thinking twice. Everytime a scandal gets leaked, Filipino men hunt on these contents like blood-thirsty hounds but no one bats an eye. It's disgusting.
But what really makes my blood boil, is how these people justify their actions. In my observaion, when a sex scandal gets leaked, majority of these people always blame the woman involved.
I have read tons of comments from people, calling the woman ‘pokpok’ or ‘haliparot’ and it's just not right. Some comments even condemns the woman by saying, “If she wants respect, she needs to respect herself first.” or "deserve niya yan" further imposing sexual objectification of Filipino women.
Well, sit down and let me school you: SHE IS NOT THE PROBLEM. People like you, who share and gobble up on these kinds of videos, are. The woman is clearly a victim. It is her body and yes, she can do whatever the hell she wants with it. It’s just that, people like you exist.
What's more upsetting is that the public completely ignores the participation of men in it. It only proves that the country is also misogynistic. af.
Well, I got news for you.
Many Filipinos might not know it, but sharing video scandals and illegal sex tapes online without the owner's consent is an actual crime. And If caught, prosecuted, and convicted, offenders face jail time and hefty damages according to the 1987 Constitution.
Women's alliance groups and networks such as Anakbayan Women, and Gabriela are only some of the many groups one can run to.
One of the things that I see why these certain problems in the country exist to this very day, is not because we lack ways to address it but simply because we refuse to address them at all. Up to this day, Filipinos still consider these issues as taboos, not realizing that it's causing more damage to our youth than ever.
Text by: Mark Baccay
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Fighting the COVID-19 is no excuse for the government to ignore transparency
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
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In times like these, transparency matters more than ever. At the start of the COVID-19 dilemma, President Rodrigo Duterte assured that the government "will never hide anything" from the public — yet a crisis of transparency is brewing.
The COVID-19 pandemic demands swift action but fighting the COVID-19 is no excuse for the government to ignore transparency. With that, Filipinos are now urging the government to be transparent in providing information on the outbreak.
Transparency builds trust
As the country answers to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital to make the decision and policy-making public. Without transparency, fake news and conspiracy are set to spark along with the virus, infecting communities with nothing but misinformation.
Vice President Leni Robredo once stressed the importance of transparency to dismiss speculations such as alleged "underreporting" of the number of COVID-19 cases.
"Iyong transparency, nakakataas ng tiwala ng tao sa pamahalaan, so sana...sana maging very transparent. Sana walang pagduda iyong taumbayan na mayroong mga information na hindi 'sinisiwalat," she said in her radio show on Sunday, March 8.
Even though #LuzonLockdown is being implemented in the country, public servants should still be agile and communicative to ensure open access to urgent discussions. Right decisions require useful information, and it is neither right nor fit for democracy to hide or exclude the public from health-related decisions or deliberations.
Transparency is a responsibility
The right to information is a matter of life and death during the COVID-19 crisis. The actual number of cases and fatality should be disclosed in public in order to determine the real state of the country. It is a responsibility our leaders should remember. Yet with the continuous spread of the virus, it seems like the country is being shrouded by secrecy.
The Department of Health (DOH) recently faced the allegations of hiding the actual number of COVID-19 mortality in the country. It happened after renowned GMA newscaster Arnold Clavio posted on Instagram pertaining to a hospital in Metro Manila that was allegedly instructed to stop counting deaths of patients due to COVID-19. DOH has then denied the statement.
"Maging tapat para 'di kumalat. Naghihintay kami, [Health] Secretary [Francisco] Duque. Ano ang totoong Sitwasyon sa Pilipinas?" Clavio said in his post.
While the spike in COVID-19 cases nationwide show no signs of stopping any time soon, there is no need for the people to be kept in the dark. The government needs to get rid of secrecies for it is their responsibility.
The rallying cry of these difficult times is truth and credibility. We agree, and that includes keeping everyone in the loop when it comes to decisions that could cause long-lasting damage to our country after the crisis has passed.
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Redefining Rap Culture In The Philippines
Friday, March 20, 2020
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Admit it or not, I know that you know that we all had our phases wherein Rap songs became the anthem of your lives. I don't know about you but in my time, "Kabet" and "Highschool life" would be blasted on the radio, and you can hear them whenever you go, the rap groups such as "repbalikan" and "Hambog ng sagpro" are the real deal and part of every student's playlist. Now that times have changed, maybe "Batang Pasaway" and "ZEBIANNA," might be more familiar to you. The trap light sounds of Ex Battalion can be heard daily on the radio, whether in the streets of Manila of the comfort of the province. Rap battle culture is also alive and well, with Fliptop ranking as one of the world's most-watched battle leagues.
Well, the Rap culture of the Philippines has been thriving for the longest time but still faces a hunch in gaining the respect it deserves. From Francis M. to Gloc 9 to the newest rap artist out there, Pinoy rap is still perceived as inferior to western rap. It is not an exaggeration to say that we have a fair share of responsibility to its dreadful state, Let's be real, a lot of us have been acting elitist over it and we have labeled Pinoy rap songs as "baduy" and "jeje" So I say, Pinoy rap isn't "jeje" and we shouldn't be ashamed to like it.
One could argue that the reason it's considered "baduy" and "jeje" is that there are some raps with nonsense lyrics and sexual undertones, but let us not forget that the most prominent consumers of this genre are the masses who relates to the song. But even with the negative connotation about Pinoy rap, no one can replace the fact that unlike other local scenes around the world, rap is very often seen as a window into life in the Philippines. Rapper such as Gloc 9 raps about politics and current events and I think it's the beauty and uniqueness of Pinoy Rap, because of its substance, realness, and challenges the status quo..
If you keep an open mind, you'll find that the Philippines have several talented artists in the industry who have great content. We also need to stop regarding things that are very Filipino or "pang-masa" as lesser or embarrassing just because it doesn't fit our taste. With any genre of music, there are songs that are bad, downright terrible, average, right, and brilliant.
By: Mark Elwyn Baccay
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