Kapamilya star Angel Locsin expressed her dismay to Robin Padilla on ABS-CBN’s weekend show “Pilipinas Got Talent.” Locsin asked Padilla if he was serious about his remarks on a girl group called Playgirls. Locsin, a self-proclaimed advocate for women’s rights, said that exposing skin for the show does not mean talent.
Padilla tried to reason out with Locsin about his question and asked her to “listen” to their answers first during the Saturday episode.
Angel Locsin vs. Robin Padilla; advocating for women’s rights
On “Pilipinas Got Talent” March 4 episode, a girl group called “Playgirls” auditioned. They did a sexy dance number while washing a parked SUV in front of the judges. A few seconds into their performance, Locsin buzzed them and stayed still until their performance was over. None of the other three judges buzzed the group so they continued to finish their performance.
After which, Locsin explained why she buzzed the group. “Ako kasi, parang hindi ko kaya na makita kayong nagsasayaw na naka-underwear para lang sa amin,” she said. “Masyado kayong magaganda, at masyado niyo itong pinaghirapan para gawin ‘yan.” she added.
Padilla, later on, asked the women if it was their will to do the sexy number. “Mayroon akong tanong,” he asked. “Ginagawa niyo ba ‘yan dahil gusto niyo?” he added. He then preceded to ask, “Gusto niyo ba ‘yun na ang mga kalalakihan ay humahanga sa’yo?” Locsin immediately countered Padilla’s question, “Seryoso ka?” Padilla rebutted with, “Pakinggan muna natin sila.” The group then answered that they were happy with what they did because for them it’s a talent.
During the votation, ABS-CBN boss Freddie M. Garcia or more known as FMG voted yes for the group. Locsin admitted that the performance entertained her. But she also mentioned that this might not be for her and voted no. Padilla voted yes as well. Ganda questioned if car washing is a talent and worth two million pesos. He also voted no. Although two out of four judges voted yes, the group still won’t make it to the second round of the competition.
This is not the first time that Padilla was set ablaze for his comments on the show. Earlier this year, the Bad Boy actor received backlash over his comments to a Korean auditionee. He said that if he’s [Korean auditionee] auditioning for the show, he should use Filipino in communicating. Click here to read the full story.
This did not go well for Padilla. Netizens defended the Korean auditionee. They mentioned it’s not his responsibility to learn the language to audition for the talent show. Others cited the Filipino winner of The Voice Israel in 2014. Rose Fostanes was not forced to learn the national language of Israel to be in the show.
People made fun of the event, and Padilla as well.
Netizens thanked Locsin for what she did.
But not all were happy with what happened. This includes the actual auditionees, Playgirls.
Gabriela commended Locsin on the deed. They stated that “we need more Angel Locsin to call out objectification of women.”
Angel Locsin is one of the few known artists who are members of the non-government organization Gabriela. The said NGO caters to women, children, and OFWs who have issues on gender and inequality. Despite her busy schedule, Locsin still manages to campaign for her advocacies.