Coco Martin (MNS photo)
Actor Coco Martin met with party list group Gabriela and the Philippine Women Commission (PCW) to formally apologize over his controversial segment on “The Naked Truth” fashion show of local brand Bench.
The “Ikaw Lamang” star was was heavily criticized after he paraded onstage with a woman on a leash at the fashion event held last month.
Gabriela referred to the performance as “a disturbing throwback to concepts of enslaving and subjugating women to male fantasies.”
The PCW, meanwhile, said the act “dehumanizes and demeans the dignity of women, treating their bodies as mere sex objects and commodities.”
On Monday, Martin acknowledged that he is responsible for his actions, especially since he is a celebrity.
“Responsibilidad ko ito bilang tao, bilang artista. May responsibilidad ako sa aking kapwa, lalo na sa mga kababaihan na naapakan ko. Hindi ito yung parang hihingi ako ng [apology] after that ‘yun na ‘yon,” he said in at the meeting,
“On my part kailangan kong i-clarify, kailangan kong humingi ng dispensa o paumanhin sa lahat mga taong concern at sa mga kababaihan na naapan ko. Humihingi po talaga ako ng dispensa sa aking ginawang pagkakamali,” he stressed.
“Honestly, ako po mismo inaako ko na. Ako po ay tumatayo at nagkaroon po ako ng pagkakamali sa pangyayaring ito. Sa lahat po ng aking nasaktan at naapakan, sana po ay mapatawad niyo po ako.”
After their meeting, the Gabriela and PCW formally accepted Martin’s apology and said it’s now time to move on.
“Para na po akong nabunutan ng tinik kasi personal akong nakapag-sorry sa lahat ng taong concern, sa lahat ng kababaihang aking nasaktan at naapakan, honestly. Ngayon ay nakakangiti na ako,” Martin said.
“Sa showbiz alam niyo, kilala niyo ako na pagdating sa personal kong buhay, ayaw ko siyang pinanghihimasukan ng ibang tao pero ito kahit personal ko ito ay kailangan kong panindigan ang kasalanan o kamalian kong ginawa. Kaya madami ding salamat sa lahat ng taong sumuporta,” he said.
To prove his sincerity, Martin vowed to support Gabriela’s and PCW’s in their advocacy to fight violence against women.
“Ina-accept namin ang kanilang apology, sinserong sinsero at alam mong genuine ang pagtanggap,” said Emmeline Verzosa, executive director of PCW. (MNS)