SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – Beleaguered Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto took to Twitter to respond to a critical statement issued by the University of Hawaii at Manoa slamming the Ramon Magsaysay awardee of “sexism.”
Meloto said his speech actually drew “enthusiastic and positive response” and was the subject of “inspiring newspaper articles.” (READ: Make ‘cappuccino’ kids? GK’s Tony Meloto slammed for sexist remarks)
Contrary to the allegation, Meloto claimed in his post that he has honored and taken care of women in the past 20 years.
The university issued a two-page statement. This is the part where he was attacked for being “sexist”:
‘But what was most disturbing about his speech was his sexism. His belief that the greatest asset of the Philippines is our beautiful women,’ and the future of the nation can be advanced by using them to attract the “best and the brightest” men from the West, and enticing them to invest in the Philippines, was outrageously sexist and deeply offensive to everybody in the audience, as well as patronizing and disrespectful to Filipino women in particular. Equally offensive, Mr Meloto went on to share his views on the need for Filipino women and their white husbands to produce what Mr Meloto humorously called “cappuccinos” and appeared to present such policy of seduction and reproduction as a solution to the problems of economic development in the Philippines.’
– statement of the University of Hawaii
1st time to be called “sexist &elitist”after 20 yrs of honoring our women & caring for the poor,after hundreds of speeches here & abroad.
— Tony Meloto (@tonymeloto) May 25, 2015
@caitlinmaralit the immediate response was enthusiastic &positive,including inspiring newspaper articles of my speech.That was 45 days ago.
— Tony Meloto (@tonymeloto) May 25, 2015
Meloto was the speaker at the 40th anniversary of the Center for Philippine Studies (CPS) at the university in April. It belatedly issued the statement “in order to acknowledge our own responsibility for the invitation extended to Mr Meloto, and to apologize to those who were offended by his views.” – Rappler.com
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