‘Batang Quiapo’ accused of misogyny for killing off female characters

By: Hannah Mallorca - 4 months ago
‘Batang Quiapo’ accused of misogyny for killing off female characters

Title card of “Batang Quiapo.” Image: Courtesy of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications

The death of Yukii Takahashi’s character Camille in “Batang Quiapo” sparked concerns among netizens on how the action-drama series would treat its female characters, with some pointing out how the “level of misogyny” is disturbing to viewers.

On the August 23 episode of the action drama, a pregnant Camille (Takahashi) died at the hands of her live-in partner David Dimaguiba (McCoy de Leon), despite fighting for her life at the intensive care unit in a hospital.

The X page of “Batang Quiapo’s” production company Dreamhouse Entertainment bid farewell to Takahashi’s character on the same day. But the post was swarmed with concern from its viewers on how the show would treat its female characters.

It can be recalled that Ivana Alawi bid farewell to her character Bubbles in July 2024, while Lovi Poe ended her stint as Mokang in January of the same year.

One @faneyakez said the “level of misogyny portrayed in the show” is disturbing, as the show features “themes of violence” against female characters.

Another @bortangbarbie called the attention of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to look into the drama’s portrayal of women, while sharing screencaps of the concerning scenes.

“Nakakabother na ang #BatangQuiapo as an avid viewer pansin ko wala silang respeto sa kababaihan. Puro n lang karahasan inabot ng mga babae, tapos mga kabit nag rereyna sa tahanan. Nagconsult ba sila or bypass nanaman? Sana maaksyunan,” they said.

(As an avid viewer, I’m already bothered with “Batang Quiapo.” I notice they don’t have any respect towards women. They either suffer violent fates, end up as mistresses, or cause harm at home. Did they have these scenes consulted or were they bypassed? I hope action will be taken.)

One @alysassygirl said: “Jusko @ABSCBN’s #batangquiapo’s creative team, 2024 na paurong parin ang mindset (your mindset remains backwards). STOP villainizing women. STOP using misogyny, sexual assault, and adultery as a plot device.”

@proxyma809 said: “Is it just me, or is the way they have been portraying their female characters brimming with misogyny?”

X user @iamrevelene pointed out that the show is “not child-friendly” and its timeslot should be changed.

“‘Batang Quiapo is not a child friendly drama. It should be put sa mga late dramas Hindi after ng TV Patrol. Wala ng mapupulot na aral sa palabas. Halos lahat ng babae biktima ng VAWC tapos Hindi nabibigyan ng justice, namamatay pa. Tapos sapakan, barilan. Ano na po?”

(“Batang Quiapo” is not a child-friendly drama. It should be put in the late timeslot, and not after “TV Patrol.” There are no lessons to be picked up from it. Almost all female characters are victims of violence against women and children. They don’t receive their well-earned justice, and they die. Then it’s full of people hurting and shooting each other? What else can they offer?)

@JM_alter2020, on the other hand, hoped that shows like “May Bukas Pa” and “100 Days to Heaven” would return to the airwaves.

Despite the concerns, Takahashi was nonetheless grateful for the opportunity to be part of “Batang Quiapo” as she shared glimpses of her unforgettable memories while working on the show on Instagram on Saturday, August 24.

“Camille signing off,” Takahashi captioned one of her posts.

“Batang Quiapo’s,” whose lead star Coco Martin serves as one of its creators and creative directors, is shown after ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast TV Patrol.

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