'Pinoy Big Brother' contestant Jayme Jalandoni.
The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) is calling on the Movie Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB) to look into an episode of the ABS-CBN reality show “Pinoy Big Brother” after an episode on Wednesday showed Big Brother or Kuya urging one female contestant to pose nude for a painting.
In a press release Thursday, the PCW took the television show to task after Kuya — the invisible but omnipotent owner of the house where the contestants live — challenged Jayme Jalandoni, 23, of Parañaque City, to pose nude for a painting as part of her “weekly task.”
The weekly task, according to PCW, tests “the contestants’ determination and will to perform unexpected challenges,” with only three opportunities to decline. If these have been exhausted, Kuya cuts their budget for the following week.
PCW said Jalandoni initially refused the challenge, but eventually gave in. It provided a transcript of the conversation between Jalandoni and Kuya.
Kuya: Kakasimula pa lang ng linggo ay may isang ‘No’ na kayo.
Jayme: Opo. Sana po lahat kami pareho ng iniisip na lahat po kami as much as possible game po sa lahat ng ipapagawa ninyo sa amin.
Kuya: Eh ikaw ba, ano ba sa tingin mo ang kayang-kaya mong gawin?
Jayme: Kahit ano naman po sa tingin ko kakayanin ko as long as hindi naman po niya natatamaan ang mga values ko or yung faith ko.
Kuya: Jayme, mayroon akong isang mahalagang hamon. Bukod sa inyong weekly budget, may iba pang nakasalalay dito. Jayme, mayroon akong nakilalang isang magaling na artist. Marami siyang natutulungan, marami siyang natuturuan at yung pagtuturo niya wala itong bayad at gusto ko siyang tulungan sa kaniyang adbokasiya sa tulong mo at ng ibang housemates. Jayme, gusto mo bang maging modelo para sa isang painting? Para magkaroon ka ng ideya, bakit hindi mo muna alisin ang takip?
Jayme: Kuya, ayoko maghubad.
Kuya: Jayme, gaya ng sinabi ko marami ang nakasalalay rito. Ang inyong weekly task, ang tulong na maibibigay sa pintor at sa kaniyang adbokasiya. Mapapanindigan mo ba yung sinabi mo sa akin kanina?
Jayme: Seryoso ba ‘to?
Kuya: Mabigat ang hamon ko para sa ‘yo. Kaya naman bibigyan kita ng oras para makapag-isip.
“Jalandoni’s initial reactions flashed fear and refusal as evidenced by her crying. Kuya, however, was insistent, even citing the artistic merit of a painter,” said PCW. “Kuya’s exercise of authority over her is evidently suggestive; placing the female contestant under pressure amid the latter’s rejection of the challenge.”
The government agency said it saw nothing wrong with women posing nude for art, but it should be her free choice to do so.
Kuya, it said, violated Jalandoni’s right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief.
It added that the episode perpetuated the exploitation of women on national TV. “No individual, television show, or entity has the right to cause discrimination, insecurity, discomfort, offense, or humiliation to any woman,” said PCW.
It cited Section 19 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Magna Carta of Women as stating that media organizations should not induce, encourage, and/or condone violence against women in any form and/or in the violation of their human rights.
It encouraged the media “to practice responsibility, accountability, and sensitivity in portraying the images of women.”
Meanwhile, viewers had their own take on the task.
On Twitter, user @normangat said, “Kuya, why so brutal? You’ll ask Jayme to pose nude for an advocacy? Preposterous! This is not advocacy. You’re all for publicity!”
Added user @ryacayeee, “LOL, even if it’s art, I don’t know why they do such painting. I just don’t get why does it has to be nude, but hands down to Jayme.”
“I may be against the nude painting task but I salute Jayme for such bravery. Go Jayme!! You can do it girl!!!” said user @xxgenviedollxx .
Added @lovecubechinito, “Nag-yes si Jayme. It’s because modeling for a nude painting has its valid purpose! She’ll portray it with NO LUST. Go Jayme!”
“Hay, buti naman yung task na nude painting may skin-toned leotards sila Daniel, Ranty, Cheppy, and Jayme. No need to worry na at all,” said user @BRENbrandchoco.
