Coco Martin ready to work to promote women’s rights

TAMED AND SHAMED Coco Martin and his “catty” companion’s controversial turn on the ramp that sent critics pawing at the celebrity and the fashion show’s organizers. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Actor Coco Martin, whose segment in the controversial “The Naked Truth” fashion show drew flak from women’s groups, has met with women leaders to personally apologize to them for what they perceived as an attack on women’s rights.

“I gained a lot of experience—both negative and positive—from what happened. I’ve learned that, as an actor, I have a responsibility to my audience,” he told reporters over lunch in Quezon City. “People close to me know that I’m not the type who would publicly speak about a controversy—it’s just not my personality but I’ve decided to be with you today to say sorry to all those I’ve offended.”

Also present at the media gathering were Martin’s legal counsel Lorna Kapunan, Bayan Muna Rep. Liza Maza, Gabriela Rep. Emmie de Jesus and Philippine Commission on Women executive director Emmeline Verzosa. Marily Orosa of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (Unifem) and Maimai Liore of the UN Women also attended the event.

Martin said he began exploratory talks with the women leaders on how to best to help them promote their causes. “Everything is still in the works. We just started talking this morning. They promised to explain further how I’d be able to help them. I’m ready for anything,” the actor said. “The issue on women’s rights has to be faced head on. I have offended a lot of people. I realized that I have to take action.”

The fashion show produced by Bench held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena featured Martin in a segment called “The Animal Within” wherein he walked the ramp with a scantily-clad female acrobat on a leash. Kapunan earlier conveyed her client’s apology but explained that he was not involved in conceptualizing the show.

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