Klea Pineda condemns rape threat; Sparkle, ‘Open Endings’ stand by actress
(Trigger warning: rape threat, sexual harassment)
Klea Pineda spoke out against a hateful rape message she had received online, which prompted statements of support from her talent agency, Sparkle GMA Artist Center, and the production team of her queer film “Open Endings.”
Pineda recently took to her social media pages to share a screenshot of a message that read: “Dapat sa’yo ni-re-rape eh, kaso pati rapist aayaw, asim mo e.”
The actress said she has grown accustomed to criticism as a public figure, but stressed that some remarks already cross the line.
READ: Janella Salvador pens sweet birthday greeting to ‘favorite POV’ Klea Pineda
“I’m used to criticism, but some people are getting way too comfortable with their words,” she lamented. “Nobody deserves to be on the receiving end of jokes like this.”
Her Facebook post containing the screenshot has since been reported and taken down by the platform, and her post visible on her Instagram Stories has expired as of this writing.
“Have you really run out of things to do that reporting my Facebook post was the best thing you could come up with? It was posted to spread awareness, not to normalize rape jokes. Ang lala (It’s too much),” the Kapuso star lamented.
Following Pineda’s post, Sparkle released a statement saying it stands with the actress “in the face of unacceptable threats.”
“Sparkle stands with Klea Pineda in the face of unacceptable threats. Such hateful messages only serve to perpetuate fear and discrimination. We continue to advocate for respect and kindness for all,” read the statement.
The talent agency noted its “commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all its artists.”
“Open Endings,” where Pineda previously starred, also denounced the anonymous hateful message sent to the actress.
“We, at Open Endings, strongly condemn the anonymous threat sent to one of our actors, Klea Pineda,” the film’s statement began.
“Threats of sexual violence are never a joke, never acceptable, and never something that should be normalized, especially against members of the LGBTQIA+ community, who continue to face harassment, discrimination, and violence simply for existing openly and truthfully,” it added.
The film production team emphasized that “Klea deserves safety, dignity, and protection. So does every queer person,” as they refused to stay silent “in the face of hate, intimidation, and cruelty.”
Pineda, who is an open member of the LGBTQIA+ community, reposted Sparkle and “Open Endings” statements on her Instagram Stories.
Pineda previously made headlines following her rumored relationship with actress Janella Salvador. /ra
