Coco Martin apologizes for ‘Naked Truth’ segment

MANILA, Philippines – Actor Coco Martin spoke up on his controversial segment in  The Naked Truth, the Bench fashion show, where he walked on the runway with a woman on a leash.

In a text message read by Kris Aquino on Aquino and Abunda Tonight on Monday, September 29, Martin apologized to those who were offended by the act. 

“Honestly po sobra akong nalungkot sa mga nangyari. Inaamin ko po ang naging pagkukulang ko. Dala na rin po sa pagod sa araw-araw na trabaho, hindi ko nakita ang malalim na kahulugan ng pinagawa sa akin sa Bench fashion show,” he said.

(Honestly, I was very sad with what happened. I admit I was at fault. Partly due to exhaustion from working everyday, I did not see the deeper meaning of what I had been asked to at the Bench fashion show.)

“Humihingi po ako ng patawad at pag-intindi sa mga kinauukulan, kasama ang pangako na magiging mas sensitibo ako sa mga isyung may patungkol sa karapatang pantao at pangkababaihan. Alam mo kung gaano kahalaga sa akin ang lola, ang mommy ko, at mga kapatid kong babae. Hindi ko magagawang tahasang mang-insulto ng babae sa anumang paraan. Marami po akong natutunan dito, una na sa lahat ang responsibilidad na kakabit ng aking trabaho. Maraming salamat.”

(I seek forgiveness and understanding from all those concerned, with the promise that I will be more sensitive regarding issues on human rights and women’s rights. You know how important my grandmother, my mother, and my sisters are to me. I can never insult women in any way. I learned so much from this, especially the fact that there are responsibilities attached to my work. Thank you very much.)

Bench, through its founder Ben Chan, earlier released a statement apologizing to those who were offended by the  controversial segment.

The company also posted an apology on Instagram and Twitter for the elements of the show deemed offensive. The apology, however, appears to be no longer available for public viewing on the social media sites. – Rappler.com