PBB ‘crossed line’, must apologize for nude challenge, says Pia Cayetano

Pinoy Big Brother ALL IN housemates Michelle Gumabao (left) and Jayme Jalandoni. Screengrab from https://entertainment.abs-cbn.com/tv/shows/pbb/main

MANILA, Philippines — Producers of a popular reality show on television “crossed the line” when they challenged their participants to pose nude and are being urged to apologize for the “unwarranted” dare in one of its recent episodes.

“The program’s producers need not wait for the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to take action. It should give a public explanation and apologize for that unwarranted challenge,” said Senator Pia Cayetano in a statement Tuesday.

Cayetano was referring to ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB), which challenged its female housemates – Jayme Jalandoni and Michelle Gumabao – to pose nude for an art painting in an episode aired June 4.

Cayetano, head of the Senate committee on women, family relations and gender relations, noted that Section 19 of the Magna Carta of Women encourages the “non-derogatory” portrayal of women in media.

Cayetano said PBB had “crossed the line” and that she was “dismayed” over the challenge.

“This is an assault to the dignity of the women housemates. Asking a woman to consider posing nude in such a situation – where her acceptance to perform the challenge is made in exchange for points or benefits for herself or her housemates – is tantamount to coercion.”

“In their desire to challenge and teach the contestants life lessons, they should be conscious of the rights of the housemates and know the limits when assigning tasks that could end up degrading women and trampling on their dignity. In this case, they crossed the line,” the senator added.

While Cayetano said she agreed with the Philippine Commission on Women’s position that there was nothing wrong about women who posed nude for art, as long as the decision was voluntary, Cayetano said this was not clearly the case with Jalandoni, who was under pressure to follow the instructions in order not to be meted sanctions.

“To make things worse, the bargaining between Jayme and Kuya happened on national television in full view of the public,” said the senator.

“We must take note that aside from Jayme, another female housemate, Michelle Gumabao was also forced into accepting the nude painting challenge. Even if their team eventually backed out, the violation had been done,” Cayetano added.

Originally posted at 9:36 am | Tuesday, June 10, 2014

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