‘Pilipinas Got Talent’ sexy girl group hits back at Angel Locsin; actress responds to slut-shaming accusation

An all-girl group appears to be lashing out at Angel Locsin after she rejected their audition in a talent show.

The group called Playgirls danced in a carwash set up where they performed sexually suggestive moves.

READ: Angel Locsin, Robin Padilla clash on sexy girl group dance in ‘Pilipinas Got Talent’

The Playgirls during their audition on “Pilipinas Got Talent”. Image: Facebook/@pilipinasgottalent.pg

Locsin gave them a no on the grounds that she did not want them to be objectified. “Kung may talent kayo, ’yun ang ipakita niyo sa ’min dahil talent ang hinahanap namin dito, hindi katawan. Kaya ko kayo binuzz, ayaw kong ma-objectify kayo.”

(If you have talent, show it to us because that’s what we’re looking for, not bodies. I buzzed you because I don’t want you to be objectified.)

While the Playgirls members barely spoke in front of the judges — apart from Locsin, they include Robin Padilla, Vice Ganda and Freddie M. Garcia — they had much to say on social media, as reflected on Facebook accounts appearing to be theirs.

Camsi Sierra, the most vocal of the four during the audition said in her Facebook post, “Walanjo bakit umiyak yun? Pasalamat ka nga nagbra at panty pa kami. Ikaw nga diyan nag-Darna, may nude picture ka pa na halos hubad na. Buti sa balat namin concern ka sa sarili mong balat wala.”

(Why did she cry? You should be thankful that we wore a bra and panty. You played the role of Darna, you have a nude photo where you’re nearly naked. Good thing you’re concerned about our skin when you aren’t about yours.)

Locsin played Darna in the 2005 GMA Network TV series; the superhero is known for her body-baring costume.

Camsi also claimed that the concept came from those behind the show: “Kaya nga carwash ang concept e alangan mag-pyjama at jacket kami. Hindi ka ata nabrief ng ‘PGT’ na sila nagcontact samin at sila din nagbigay ng concept. Tanong-tanong muna ateng bago magsalita.”

(That’s why the concept was carwash, as if we’d wear pyjamas or a jacket. “PGT” doesn’t seem to have briefed you; they were the ones who contacted us and gave the concept. Ask first before speaking.)

Yuna Love Lee wrote in a now-deleted post, “Makapagsalita akala mo naman di siya nagsuot ng sexy… Nung nag-Darna nga siya naka bra’t panty lang din siya. Buti nga may suot pa kaming damit eh. Hahaha yoko na! Sana pala nagbestida nalang kame.” (She talks as if she’s never worn something sexy… When she was Darna she was only in a bra and panty. At least we were wearing clothes. Whatever! We should’ve worn dresses instead.)

Darlene Domingo said in a post that has been taken down, “Iniyak mo e! Easy lang mga bashers. Hindi naman kami naghubad sa PGT.” (You cried about it! Take it easy, bashers. We didn’t strip down on PGT.)

However, Domingo has since apologized on behalf of the women on her Facebook page. She stated, “Kung anuman mga sinabi ng kagrupo ko pag pasensyahan n’yo na lang po. Bilang kagrupo nila, ako na po ang humihingi ng dispensa ..sorry po lahat ng bashers namin.”

(Whatever my group members said, I apologize for them. As their group member, I ask for forgiveness. Sorry to all our bashers.)

Locsin accused of slut-shaming

Angel Locsin. Image: Instagram/@lalaflores16

Locsin’s concern seemed not only to be on their wardrobe choice but that they could be perceived as sexual objects.

While some netizens agreed with her point, some interpreted her opinion as slut-shaming.

A netizen, @dmraesguerra, via Twitter said,  “if @143redangel were really there to empower women such as Playgirls, she could’ve refrained herself from slut shaming. It’s their body after all; and they loved and are proud of what they did.”

https://twitter.com/dmraesguerra/status/969953409531981824

Locsin responded, “There is no such thing as a ‘slut’ or ‘non-slut.’ There are WOMEN.”

GABRIELA lauds Locsin

Women’s rights group Gabriela applauded the actress’ move to speak up for the women.

They said in a statement, “GABRIELA commends movie/television star Angel Locsin for her firm stance against the objectification of women as exemplified by her recent statement in a local talent show on national TV.”

“Women’s objectification is widespread because it brings in huge corporate and private profit. It is also a profitable endeavor for unscrupulous politicians who use women’s bodies to gain favor from powerful figures or entities or to trivialize pressing social issues by using sex as entertainment.”

Incidentally, the dance group is the same one, albeit with different members, that performed in a Liberal Party event last 2015. It was thrown by then Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino. The controversial performance, allegedly a “birthday gift,” led him to resign from the political party and as MMDA chairperson.

READ: Tolentino gets flak for ‘surprise gift’ at LP event

“We call on more public personalities like Ms Locsin to use their power to influence public opinion to promote women’s rights,” Gabriela appealed. “[S]omething that is badly needed particularly today amidst the misogyny wantonly being displayed by the highest officials of the land.” JB

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