Young artists slam PBB for ‘decadent influence’ on youth culture

MANILA, Philippines – Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (KARATULA) criticized Pinoy Big Brother, an ABS-CBN evening reality show, after it insisted one female contestant to be a model for a nude painting.

In an episode on Wednesday, June 4, Big Brother (Kuya) dared Jayme Jalandoni, 23, to pose nude for a painting in order for the housemates to succeed in their “weekly task.”

Senator Nancy Binay also said that she would file a senate resolution for the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to look into the matter.

Menerva Espanta, spokesperson of KARATULA said: “This event was not just for the housemates to win in the weekly task, nor was it intended for the painter’s advocacy, but Kuya’s exercise of authority over the contestant in the name of publicity and ratings.”

“The tears over Jalandoni’s face were evidence how this form of exploitation was pushed against her. This was a clear violation of human rights,” Espanta added.

Pinoy Big Brother had previously featured letting some of the contestants’ mothers enter the house secretly to clean the rooms of the housemates.

“The show reinforces how society treats women and their role in society. That they are simply meant for housework and/or sexual entertainment disguised as art. Art should be reflective of society and challenge it. PBB has used art as a justification for treating a woman like a commodity in a show which targets a young audience,” explained Espanta.

She added that “Kuya has effectively branded himself and the show as anti-women and invasive of their human rights. The crumbling culture that it imposes to the youth must not continue like this. It is not entertainment but a manufactured distraction from more pressing concerns.”

KARATULA challenged Kuya, as well as the youth to engage themselves to higher causes.

“There are many relevant issues that both the youth and people are facing. We are at the edge of getting to the bottom of the pork barrel scam and why this administration has harbored and engaged in corruption,” Espanta argued.

“PBB seems content that the youth look the other way. We urge the show to have more socially pro-active stances and segments that can also be entertaining for it to be more progressive and endearing to audiences.” – Rappler.com

Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan or KARATULA (Youth Artists for Genuine Freedom) is a non-stock and non-profit organization of youth artists and cultural workers, that has chapters in different communities and universities, with the objective of creating art as a medium for progressive expressions of social change, genuine freedom and national democracy.