BAGUIO CITY — A joke has fallen flat for gender advocates.
Ma Cynthia Coronel Abalos of the Baguio Character Council is calling on Southern country performer Romeo Ogong to issue a public apology following his performance during the Ibaloy Day celebration.
The set has raised eyebrows regarding propriety and respect for women, children, and gender sensitivity. “I demand Romeo Ogong of GenSan to make a public apology to all women of Baguio and Cordillera,” Abalos said.
Ogong is under fire for making a gender-based slur directed at women during his Feb. 23 performance at the Melvin Jones Grandstand. The event was the Onjon-ni Ivadoy Association, Inc.’s 17th Ibaloy Day, themed “Buday chiya Bagiw, makajowanan say wara e pan-aadivayan,” held in recognition of the Ibaloy culture and the original settlers of Baguio.
In a social media post, Abalos expressed her shock: “Nagulat ako sa mga salitang binitiwan ng lalaking entertainer that time. As if gwapong gwapo sya sa kanyang sarili na naghahamon sino ang gusto pumila para mabigyan ng kanyang “sperm” at maikalat ang kanyang lahi. He claimed that in modern times, he is endorsing in vitro fertilization as normal and practical to secure a good race.”
[I was shocked by the words used by the entertainer at that time. It was as if he was so full of himself, challenging whoever wanted to line up to receive his ‘sperm’ to spread his lineage. He claimed that in modern times, he is endorsing in vitro fertilization as normal and practical to secure a good race.]
Abalos has asked Councilor Vladimir Cayabas, Chair of the Committee on Education, Culture, Arts, and Historical Research, to call out Ogong as well as the Onjon-ni Ivadoy Association, Inc., the event organizers.
Abalos noted that quality performers from the region and a wealth of Ibaloy talent are aplenty, questioning why the singer from General Santos City was invited in the first place.
“His joke was out of place, and that was a family event. It was an insult to us women,” Abalos added. “I am pro-life. I teach the youth responsible sexuality education. In vitro fertilization is a medical procedure that gives hope to couples who cannot bear a child naturally. It is a choice to complete a family. I am a mother with daughters. I am a Filipina who has made an effort to empower other women around me, and this type of joke slapped my dignity.”
Abalos concluded by requesting Cayabas to craft an ordinance on etiquette for public events and performers within the city.
North Luzon Monitor has reached out to the Onjon-ni Ivadoy Association, Inc., through Public Relations Officer and Assistant Secretary Pamela Carino, but the organization has yet to release a statement on the incident. Maria Elena Catajan