The Hypocrisy Behind Jessica Soho Gang-Rape Joke

I read the news through the twitter updates. Like many Filipinos, I was infuriated, and utterly disgusted at how cheap a Pinoy entertainment could be and still be a big hit. This I felt before watching the viral video below in Youtube.

But not long after, I also found this in Youtube:

The video is an episode of Bubble Gang last July 16, 2010. The title was "Reyp-reypan."

So after all the ruckus, GMA is not without sin too.


I agree that rape should NOT be used as a material for comedy concerts, or shows that take such heinous crime a laughing matter. It should not be made a subject of ridicule. Celebrities and shows, especially those with huge following such as VG and BG, should engage in responsible entertainment.

But what irked me more is the seeming hypocrisy of GMA reporters who have publicly spoken against rape as a joke when their network have used rape as a material for a comedy show too. Why did you not have the same outrage after the BG episode? Because yours did not mention any name at all? Does that make the use of rape acceptable? 

I cannot help but compare:

Comparison	I-Vice Ganda Mo’Ko	Bubble Gang’s Reyp-reypan
description of victim	NA	bruised
description of rapist	NA	in denial
dialogue of “victim”	eh asan ung apple?	recounted her horrible ordeal
dialogue of “rapist”	ipasok ang lechon!	denied accusations
resolution/ending	NA	judge decided to just sleep on the table
description of rape scene	none; the rapist was asking for the lechon to be brought in	you watch the video and hear the victim retell her story
MY THOUGHT AFTER WATCHING THE VIDEO	it was silly	it was insensitive for the judge to sleep right on his table after hearing the victim’s story
WAS THERE MOCKERY?	unless you think Jessica was the lechon, then there was no mockery	a complete mockery of a rape trial

I wonder what went in the minds of those who publicly gave remarks after hearing these from VG: 
"Ang hirap nga lang kung si Jessica magbo-bold. Kailangan gang-rape lagi. Sasabihin nung rapist, Ipasok ang lechon! Sasabihin naman ni Jessica, eh nasan naman ung apple?"

Indeed, comedy lines hit only as much as it is interpreted for I imagined Jessica with her cohorts of rapists about to have a sumptuous meal, but many others imagined Jessica as the lechon to be feasted upon by the rapists. The latter is truly deplorable and offensive, and those who interpreted VG's spiel this way surely loathed him. I am no fan of VG and of his antics, and I am in no way will be in his defense in this. But I am neither a fan of hypocrites who act like they have no dirty laundry.

This issue is polarizing the readers and viewers into becoming either GMA or ABS-CBN loyalists again. And they are doing a very good job. Thanks to GMA reporters who have taken the issue to twitter, and special mention to Arnold Clavio who took it to his radio show yesterday addressing VG: 

“Bakit mo binibiktima ang mga taong seryoso sa trabaho nila? Huwag mo silang kasangkapanin para lang makapagpatawa. Bakit hindi taga-diyan sa inyo ang gawin mong subject ng jokes mo? Bakit hindi taga-ABS?” 

So Mr. Clavio, does this tasteless joke become acceptable when done to your co-worker? I'm sorry but I find your statement cheaper than the entertainment VG and BG showed. I found them lacking in their choice of comedy material, but I found the outrage of GMA reporters more "concerted" than the concert this issue sprang from.

The real issue is the inclusion of rape, or any heinous crime, in comedy shows or concerts.

STOP the HYPOCRISY and push for the real advocacy.